MB USA today announced that the 2009 C63 AMG will go on sale next month at a price starting $54,625, including shipping. The sports sedan will be sold by 27 AMG dealers.

Steve Cannon, vice president of marketing, says that beginning in May, a road show of AMG cars will stop at each of the new performance centers to kick off marketing. Stores with performance centers — featuring a special display area and dedicated sales and service personnel — also will get a higher allocation of AMG vehicles and special-edition models, says Ernst Lieb, CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA.

The exclusive SL65 black edition AMG will also go on sale at the end of the year and is expected to cost nearly $200,000. "It's an ultralimited Ferrari killer — pure emotion and a pure image shaper," says Cannon.

Powered by an AMG 6.3 liter V8 engine, the C63 AMG has a maximum power of 457 hp and a maximum peak torque 600 Nm and makes the 0 to 60 mph sprint in just 4.3 seconds and has a top speed electronically limited to 155 mph.

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