OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
Affalterbach, Germany, May 17, 2011
Chassis and braking system: Responsive, dynamic and safe
It is not just the engine and power transmission that add that touch of flair to the driving dynamics of the new C 63 AMG Coupé: the AMG sports suspension and the AMG high-performance braking system also play their part in delivering scintillating responsiveness and even better cornering performance while at the same time providing the comfort on long journeys that is so typical of Mercedes.
The AMG sports suspension is an entirely new design: compared to the less powerful models in the C-Class Coupé range, the top-of-the-range AMG has its own axles, which have more negative all-round camber and their own kinematics. The result is greater lateral acceleration; and tangibly and measurably greater grip when driving in a sporty manner. The three-link front suspension has a track width which is wider by 36 millimetres – this can be seen from the widened wheel guards. The wheel location has been stiffened by 100 percent and gives significantly grater stability and precision in all driving situations. It not only leads to greater steering precision, but also to an immediate response from the brakes in high-speed, dynamic driving situations.
The multi-link rear suspension has a reinforced drive shaft and joints. The track width has been widened by twelve millimetres to give greater stability: as with the front axle, it too has greater negative camber. New stabilisers with a larger cross-section reduce the inclination to roll as well as the roll angle when cornering at speed.
The completely newly developed spring and damper rates optimise both the response characteristics of the springs as well as the ride comfort – the C 63 AMG Coupé thus not only provides the highest standards of responsiveness and driving dynamics, but also the long-distance comfort
so typical of Mercedes.
Steering system helps to reduce fuel consumption
The steering response has also benefited from the axle kinematics developed specifically for AMG: thanks to the shift in the so-called instantaneous centre, the AMG sports speed-sensitive power steering with steering ratio of 13.5 : 1 is now more direct overall. And if that were not enough: the modified steering parameters and a stiffer rubber blend used in the Hardy disc in the steering column tangibly increase steering precision. A new power steering pump helps to reduce fuel consumption. The reason behind this: the steering assist only requires energy when the driver is actually steering.
3-stage ESP® with Sport function
The 3-stage ESP® with Sport function continues to be an exclusive technical speciality: it was first deployed in the C 63 AMG in 2008 and is part of the standard specification of the new AMG Coupé. Three individual control strategies are available at the touch of a button: the ESP® button allows the driver to choose between “ESP ON”, “ESP SPORT HANDLING MODE” and “ESP OFF” - the activated mode is shown in the display in the AMG instrument cluster. In "ESP ON" mode, if driving starts to become unstable the brakes are applied on one or more wheels and the engine torque is reduced.
The "ESP SPORT HANDLING MODE" is activated as soon as the driver briefly presses the ESP® button. In this mode the braking intervention to counter oversteer or understeer as well as the accompanying reduction in engine torque allow a higher dynamic threshold and, for instance, corresponding drift angles. The driver benefits from significantly enhanced driving enjoyment. Operating the brake pedal restores all the normal ESP® functions. Prolonged pressure on the ESP® button activates "ESP OFF". There is no intervention to control the handling dynamics and generally no reduction in engine torque – with the result that driving enjoyment is increased even further. "ESP OFF" should only be used by experienced drivers on dedicated racetracks. In this mode too, operating the brake pedal restores all the normal functions of ESP®.
The system's traction logic is active in all three ESP® modes. If one of the drive wheels starts to spin, specific brake pressure is applied to virtually create the effect of a mechanical differential lock. This means that the engine power is transferred to the road even more effectively. To increase traction further still, AMG rear axle locking differential with 40 percent locking action is available as an option from the AMG Performance Studio.
AMG high-performance braking system featuring composite technology (optional extra)
The AMG high-performance braking system complements the highly efficient AMG sport suspension perfectly. Short stopping distances, perfect sensitivity and excellent fatigue strength are amongst its outstanding features. It has 360 millimetre-wide, internally ventilated and perforated brake discs mounted on six-piston fixed callipers on the front wheels: their counterparts on the rear axle measure 330 millimetres in diameter.
The AMG high-performance braking system, with composite front discs and red painted brake callipers on all wheels, gives even greater fatigue strength, particularly when racing. It forms part of the AMG Performance package.
The HOLD function, for when the vehicle is waiting at traffic lights, and Hill-Start Assist, which can help prevent rolling backwards when moving off on a slope, both form part of the standard specification.
Overview of brake data:
The C 63 AMG Coupé is fitted as standard with titanium grey-painted wheels featuring a high-sheen finish and a new 5 twin-spoke design. The 8 x 18 format front wheels are fitted with wide-based tyres in size 235/40 ZR 18, while the 9 x 18 format rear wheels come with 255/35 ZR 18 tyres. Available as an optional extra from the AMG Performance Studio are AMG light-alloy wheels in a 5-spoke design and painted in titanium grey with wide-based tyres in size 235/40 ZR 18 (front) and 255/35 ZR 18 (rear) as well as AMG light-alloy wheels in a multi-spoke design with wide-based tyres in size 235/35 R 19 (front) and 255/30 R 19 (rear).
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