Let’s get the important bit out of the way. This is a genuine AMG. It might be made in South Africa, but its heart is still hand-built by a single man in Affalterbach, and shipped over to South Africa. It’s then fitted into a C-Class here. And with that, the first locally produced Mercedes-AMG C63 rolled off the production line in East London.
At its annual business results in 2017, Mercedes-Benz South Africa announced that three Mercedes-AMG models will be manufactured locally for export and local sales and this week the passionate employees who participated in the ramp-up to series production celebrated this achievement.
The integration of the three new models (Mercedes-AMG C43 4MATIC, Mercedes-AMG C63 and Mercedes-AMG C63 S), was smooth with absolute minimal interruption to the current production in the East London plant. More than 1 700 Mercedes-AMG C 43 units have been exported as part of the normal export plan from the plant, which once again reached record levels in 2017.
Mercedes-Benz South Africa invested an additional ZAR200m (GBP 12 million) into the passenger car manufacturing facility in 2016/2017 for the production of the AMG models.
"The production of the first Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 unit here in East London, sees another exciting model added to our current C-Class family and further affirms the status of our plant as a key player in the Daimler global network. The distinct sportiness and power of the AMG brand is well recognised globally, and we are proud that the C63 model will be exported from our shores to customers all around the world. Following the launch of the Mercedes-AMG C 43 model in 2017, the first production unit of the flagship C63 model is a another great success for our plant, and is testament to the hard work and dedication of our employees who continue to build world-class products at Mercedes-Benz South Africa," says Andreas Engling, Mercedes-Benz South Africa CEO and Executive Director: Manufacturing.
The introduction of these AMG models into the Mercedes-Benz South Africa production line required the plant to bring in new infrastructure and technological innovations to accommodate the assembly of the performance models. This included modifications and additional devices at various stations - specifically in the Engine and Trim assembly lines. The new AMG model (with V8 power) is particularly distinguished by its notable engine sound and power and to achieve the successful production of this unit a new index device, conveyors and axle manipulators and equipment had to be added to the assembly process.
Also worth a look: the Mercedes-AMG A Class and the Mercedes-AMG G Class.
FAQ
Q: What does the Mercedes-AMG C63 cost in South Africa?
The Mercedes-AMG C63 starts at around R1,400,000 in South Africa, while the C63 S will set you back approximately R1,600,000, making it a serious investment for proper AMG performance.
Q: Is the Mercedes-AMG C63 made in South Africa as good as the German version?
Absolutely, the locally built C63 uses the exact same hand-built AMG engine from Affalterbach that gets shipped to East London, so you're getting genuine German AMG engineering with South African assembly quality.
Q: How much power does the Mercedes-AMG C63 produce?
The standard C63 pumps out 350kW, while the C63 S delivers a brutal 375kW from its twin-turbo V8, giving you proper AMG muscle that'll embarrass most supercars.
Q: What's the difference between the AMG C43 and C63?
The C43 is the entry-level AMG with a V6 engine producing 287kW, while the C63 is the full-fat AMG experience with a hand-built V8 delivering 350kW, making it significantly more powerful and expensive.
Q: Is the Mercedes-AMG C63 worth buying over competitors like the BMW M3?
The C63's twin-turbo V8 delivers more character and drama than the M3's straight-six, plus knowing it's built locally with that hand-assembled AMG heart makes it special, though it does cost more to run.
Should You Buy It?
Yes, if you've got R1,400,000 burning a hole in your pocket and want the ultimate sports sedan experience. The Mercedes-AMG C63 represents the best locally built performance car under R2,000,000 in South Africa, combining genuine AMG pedigree with the pride of local manufacturing. That hand-built V8 from Affalterbach delivers proper AMG drama that no BMW M3 or Audi RS4 can match, and you're supporting local jobs while getting world-class performance. Just budget extra for fuel, tyres, and the inevitable speeding fines.
