Here at IOL Motoring we live by the credo “If lots is good, more is better and too much is just about right.”
Lots, in this case, refers to the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series, with Affalterbach's superlative naturally-aspirated 6208cc V8 delivering 380kW and a tar-wrinkling 620Nm.
More is German tuning haus Väth, who are now offering what they call the V63 Coupé Supercharged Black Series, with belt-driven supercharger, air-to-water intercooler, fuel cooler, revised engine mapping and a very authoritative low-optimised sports auspuff (exhaust system) with crossover tailpipe and stright-through flaps, either operated by gas-flow sensors or by a button on the centre console - and which is not street-legal in Germany!
The result is literally breathtaking: Väth quotes 556kW and 800Nm, 0-100 in 3.6 seconds (that's superbike country!) and, with the right tyres, a limited top speed of 350km/h.
POWER IS USELESS WITHOUT CONTROL
But power, of course is useless without control, so the Väth conversion includes a chassis upgrade, starting with special dampers, adjustable for preload, ride height (between 25mm and 65mm lower than the standard C63) and compression and rebound damping.
High-performance brakes with 405mm discs and braided stainless-steel hoses sit inside Väth's own 20” three-piece, forged-alloy rims, shod with 265/30 rubber in front and 305/25 at the back.
Unusually, Väth has kept the visual changes to a minimum, with the abovementioned forged 20” rims and a plain black grille without a star the only external visual cues, while inside you'll find a special Väth steering wheel clad with two types of leather and with either carbon-fibre or wood-veneer inlay - and a speedometer re-calibrated to read up to 400km/h.
And too much?
Well, the Väth V63 Coupé Supercharged Black Series will set you back €49 310 (R553 000) - on top of the cost of the standard C63 AMG Black Series. Whether that's too much is up to you.