Mercedes-Benz Unveils C450 AMG Sport 4MATIC

Mercedes-Benz is bridging the gap between the C 400 sedan and the hot-rod C 63 AMG.

Just introduced at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show is the C450 AMG 4MATIC. Not a full-fledged AMG product, the C450 is part of a new AMG Sport line that utilizes some components from AMG models to add a little more sport to regular models. Think of it as BMW’s M Sport line versus full-fledged M models.

Based on the C 400 sedan, the C450 wears AMG badging on the front fenders as well as a host exterior upgrades including a revised front bumper, diamond mesh intake covers, a rear diffuser and trunk lid mounted spoiler. Inside, performance seats with the ubiquitous AMG badges stitched into them are standard.

But the C450 AMG is more than just an appearance package. The 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine has been upgraded to now produce 362 hp and an impressive 384 lb-ft. of torque. With permanent all-wheel drive that sends 33 percent of the power to the front wheels and 67 percent to the rears, Mercedes claims the C450 AMG will run from 0 to 60 mph of 4.9 seconds.

Many suspension components from the C 63 AMG have been incorporated onto the C450 which wears 225/40R19 front and 255/35R19 rear tires. Keeping with the AMG theme, a new sports exhaust system has been equipped to the car to ensure the higher pressure turbo V6 can be heard.

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All C450 AMGs will come equipped with Mercedes’ seven-speed automatic transmission. Although it’s a conventional automatic, it does feature a manual mode that will not perform a gear change without the driver’s input.

Like most sporty luxury sedans, the C450 will offer customizable driving modes to suit the driver’s mood. The most frantic Sport Plus setting will partially suppress the engine during wide-open throttle upshifts to allow for quicker gear changes. As well, if the car is restarted within four hours of being driven, it will produce a quick jump to 2000 rpm for a sportier sounding start-up, assuming the car was left in Sport Plus mode.

When the C450 AMG 4MATIC goes on sale later this year, it will join the GLE450 AMG 4MATIC quasi-crossover as the first two AMG Sport models. Mercedes promises more are on the way.