Purely Aesthetics

A combination of expressive design, a decidedly sporty interior and a high level of everyday practicality – a highly potent trio that makes the new Mercedes Benz flagship model, the C63 AMG, a unique high-performance car.

Poised to invade the US market in spring 2008, the C63 is equipped with a 6.3L V8 power machine.

C63 AMG’s appearance is plainly impressive. It has a broad, road-hugging stance, and the usual wide-cut hood that conceals the 451-HP engine.

Obviously, Mercedes-AMG is making a confident statement through the C63AMG to mark the 40th year of the company. C63AMG is the fifth generation of the AMG C-Class, whose family tree goes back to the C36 AMG of 1993 – the very first vehicle developed as a cooperative venture between Daimler-Benz and AMG.

Here are the excerpts on the new exterior and interior styling and aerodynamic improvements based from the original press release:

18-inch AMG light-alloy wheels, 19-inch wheel/tire combination on request
The C63 AMG is appropriately fitted with new, 18-inch AMG light-alloy wheels in a five-spoke design. Painted in titanium grey, these high-sheen wheels in size 8.0 x 18 and 8.5 x 18 are shod with wide-base tires in size 235/40 R 18 (front) and 255/35 R 18 (rear). Even more dynamic handling is made possible by the optionally available 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels in a multi-spoke design. The front wheels are in size 8.0 x 19 with 235/35 tires, with 9.0 x 19 wheels and 255/30 R 19 tires at the rear.

More distinctive exterior design than ever before
It is not only in technological but also in visual terms that the new C63 AMG is more distinctively different from the standard C-Class than ever before. The front end is dominated by the new bonnet with its two pronounced power domes, as well as the trademark AMG radiator grille with a central star and two louvers with chrome inserts. The honeycomb pattern of the grille is also reflected in the large air dams of the new, athletically contoured front apron which forms part of the AMG-specific bodystyling. The fog lamps with chrome surrounds are spaced well apart, acting together with the flared front wheel arches to accentuate the width of the car – with the striking transition from the front apron to the wings leaving a particularly strong impression. The side air vents in the front apron serve to expel the hot air from the oil coolers. If the C63 AMG is specified with the optional bi-xenon headlamps or the Intelligent Light System, the headlamps are also dark-tinted.

Eye-catching features when viewed from the side include the 18-inch AMG light-alloy wheels, the harmoniously integrated “6.3 AMG” lettering on the front wing and the AMG side skirts. At the rear the standard LED rear lights, the AMG rear apron with its black diffuser insert and three pronounced diffuser fins, as well as the AMG sports exhaust system with two chrome twin tailpipes, provide further visual highlights that are hallmarks of the brand. The AMG spoiler lip on the boot lid reduces lift and ensures greater handling stability at high speeds.

AMG interior with new sports seats and performance steering wheel
This decidedly sporty theme is continued in the interior of the C63 AMG, which now has special AMG sports seats with integral head restraints for the first time. The seats not only feature a new design with cross-piping and AMG lettering, but also an adaptive backrest with adjustments for the side bolsters and lumbar support. Perfect handling control is assured with the new AMG performance steering wheel in a three-spoke design, which has a rim diameter of 365 millimeters and a flattened lower section. The upper section is covered in perforated leather, and two silver AMG shift paddles enable the gears to be shifted manually.

The global automotive industry, especially the US market, owes the Japanese domestic market, or JDM, a lot of accolades. For one, JDM has played a defining role in shaping the sport compact market across the globe three decades ago.

“From the first aftermarket turbo kit designed for passenger cars to the conception of carbon-fiber hoods on sport compacts, Japanese manufacturers have led the way in pioneering many of the parts we use at the track or showcase at events on our vehicles today,” exclaims industry magazine Import Tuner.

In one of its recent issues, Import Tuner reveals a slew of different factors that made the JDM so influential in the US market. Some of the key factors that came up are, namely: the use of body kits, carbon-fiber hoods, and greater emphasis on aerodynamics. Included are the use coilovers, exhaust systems, and turbo timers; the introduction of drifting and time attack; the popularity of VIP Cars; and the extensive role played by magazines in the auto industry.

Below are the several of the factors cited:

Body Kits
Veilside was one of the first JDM body kits sold in the U.S. to catch the attention of mainland car owners-well before the whole F&F craze took to the big screen. Introduced in the early ’90s, Veilside quickly gained popularity among Supra and RX7 (FD3S) owners as a new radical concept in body design. Veilside and companies like Mugen spawned the dawn of a new era in body kits as U.S. manufacturers took notice and began designing their own kits while others took the simpler path and began gray marketing the more popular JDM body kits to much dismay.

Front End Conversions
Chances are, at one time or another you either owned or knew of someone who upgraded their cars with a set of clear corner lights. As quickly as the clear corner light trend grew in popularity, it slowly became a dying fad. The more serious JDM enthusiasts stepped things up a notch as they enlisted the help of various companies to ship complete front ends from Honda Type R’s or Nissan Silvia’s with the goal of replicating their JDM counterpart and authenticate the genuine look.

Aftermarket Wheels
Today’s aftermarket JDM wheels and their eclectic designs have been a major contributing factor among the growth of the aftermarket import market. Today’s more popular JDM wheels are more subtle in appearance, with less chrome and more focus on performance.

Carbon-Fiber Hoods and Aerodynamics
Carbon fiber spawns the dawn of a new era as fiberglass body panels, hoods, and wings have become second best to this lightweight and durable product. Carbon fiber has been available for over fifty years with its earliest history in the aerospace and military industries. Although FORD designed a carbon-fiber composite prototype vehicle in 1977, it was Japan who implemented CF onto their daily drivers and weekend track cars. JDM manufacturers began using carbon-fiber products to decrease weight while other companies sold the CF concept from an aesthetical approach, offering its unique looks and contemporary styling to sport compact enthusiasts. Carbon-fiber GT wings, diffusers and canards made their way onto the JDM market as all three products brought aerodynamics and functionality to vehicles participating in time attack or drifting competitions.

(Pictures by Import Tuner Magazine)

Here is another set of pics from 2007 Dub Custom Auto Show & Concert Series.
This time, Dub wowed 15,000 auto enthusiasts in Chicago. Decals were blazing and hot wheels were everywhere at the McCormick Place, as the fans living in the windy city got treated to a sizzling display of automotive art and mechanical prowess.

Dub Custom Auto Show will next land in Boston on July 15.