In the spring of 2014, I visited a Mercedes-Benz AMG Performance Center in Shanghai. The place was loaded with the fastest AMG cars, including a C63 AMG Edition 507, a C63 Coupe AMG Edition 507, an S63L AMG 4Matic, and a G63 AMG.
Mercedes-Benz AMG Performance Center
In the 2010s, Mercedes-Benz rolled out a network of AMG-only dealers in China under the AMG Performance Center name, capitalizing on the popularity of the AMG name. There were such centers in all the big cities, usually in expensive central locations. There was a center near my place in central Beijing, one in Chengdu, one in Shenzhen, and this one in Shanghai. The centers only sold AMG-spec cars. For the other Mercedes-Benz vehicles, buyers had to go to a normal Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-benz C63 AMG Edition 507-¥ 1.148 million
The C63 AMG Edition 507 sedan was a special edition of the C63 AMG. The 507 package included a vented aluminum bonnet, light-alloy spoke wheels with red brake calipers and more power.
The output of the mighty 6.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 was 507 hp, hence the name, and 610 Nm. The gearbox was a seven-speed automatic. The top speed was 250 km/h and 0-100 took 4.2 seconds. The C63 had a 66-liter fuel tank. It looked speedy yet understated, especially in black. Four exhaust pipes but nothing flashy. The C63 AMG Edition 507 sedan cost 1.148 million yuan in 2014.
Eight and nine are lucky numbers in Chinese culture, so expensive goods often have prices with many 8s and 9s.
Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Edition 507 for ¥1.198 million
The C63 AMG Coupe Edition 507 received a similar treatment as the sedan, but this one has the optional AMG racing stripes and a carbon fiber roof. It has the same engine as the sedan, and according to period specifications, the 0-100 time was the same too.
It has a carbon fiber rear spoiler, darkened windows, and a diffuser. The Coupe was much more expensive than the sedan and sold for 1.198 million yuan. But that was worth it, I guess, as the Coupe is way cooler.
Mercedes-Benz S63L AMG 4Matic for ¥2.498 million
This is the big one! The S63L AMG 4Matic was a long-wheelbase sedan with more power than many supercars. The grille is imposing, and shiny to the max, with an extra chrome strip under the bumper.
Four shiny square-shaped exhaust pipes show that this car means business. The engine is a 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V8 with an output of 585 hp and 800 Nm. The gearbox is a seven-speed automatic and it has all-wheel drive. The top speed was limited to 250 again and 0-100 took just 4 seconds. The S63L AMG 4Matic cost 2.498 million yuan. These large S-Class AMG sedans were quite popular in China, more so than the smaller C-Class AMG models. But the most popular AMG was the…
mercedes-benz G63 AMG for ¥2.298 million
In the 2000s the G-Class was everywhere in China, especially the G500 and the AMG versions. The tuner cars were popular too, mainly from ART, Brabus, and Hamann.
The car in the shop was a 2013 model, fitted with the pretty 5-spoke wheels. It had chrome all over, on the sides, in the bumpers, and on the grille. The G63 AMG model used the same engine as the S63 but the output was slightly lower: 544 hp and 760 Nm. The top speed was 210 km/ and 0-100 took 5.4 seconds. The fuel consumption was 15 (fifteen) liters per 100 kilometers. Happily, it had a 96-liter fuel tank.
The W463 G-Class was already very old in 2014, which was visible from the bumper-based fog lights and the old-school mud flaps. But in this case: old = cool. The Mercedes-Benz G-Class was also one of the first passenger cars in China that was available with a tow hook. Nowadays tow hooks are common, thanks to the caping craze. But in 2024, it was really special. The G63 AMG cost 2.298 million yuan.
Well, it was a great visit, as far as I can remember. The cars were beautiful and I hope they all found a fine home.