2015 Mercedes-AMG C63 priced at $64,825; C63 S starts at $72,825

PHOTO BY MERCEDES-AMG

TWIN-TURBO V8-POWERED REAR-WHEEL DRIVE SEDANS LAUNCH THIS APRIL

   The new 2015 Mercedes-AMG C63 was a lot of fun in Portugal, and it’s safe to assume that it’ll be a lot of fun in the United States when it goes on sale here this April. Thanks to pricing information just released by the German automaker, we now know exactly how much it’ll cost when it arrives: The C63 starts at $64,825, and the even hotter C63 S starts at $72,825. Both prices include a $925 destination/delivery charge.

   Recall that the C63’s twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 -- related to the motor in the Mercedes-AMG GT -- provides 469 hp and 479 lb-ft and a 0-60 mph time of 4.0 seconds. Opting for the C63 S gets you 503 hp, 516 lb-ft of torque and a 3.9-second 0-60 mph time.

   Though both variants are rear-wheel drive, the C63 S also trades the C63’s mechanical limited-slip differential for an electronic diff and bumps top speed from 155 mph to 180 mph. Numerous subtle exterior differences set the two cars apart, but we’re not sure any but the most discriminating AMG fanatics will notice, say, the lack of a rocker panel insert on the “base-level” C63.

   Note that the C63 is not to be confused with the similarly named Mercedes-Benz C450 AMG, the twin-turbo V6-powered all-wheel drive bridge between the C-class and the full-on AMG offering.