Launched at the same time as its station wagon variant, the new C450 AMG Sport 4Matic is part of a new brand spin-off called AMG Sport, and it will apparently sit between the regular Mercedes-Benz C-Class->ke1593 and the full-blown C63 monster. In essence, the car is actually the second AMG Sport variant to be unveiled, after the GLE450 AMG Coupe crossover introduced the new sub-brand to the world a couple of months before the 2015 Detroit Auto Show. Based on the C400 4Matic, the new model has been thoroughly re-engineered by Mercedes-AMG to offer better performance and aims to introduce a larger group of Mercedes-Benz customers to the magic of AMG.

Although an unprecedented move for the three-pointed star, both Audi->ke14 and BMW->ke178 have been offering sporty performance sub-brands for years now, with Audi being the most experienced in this area with its large array of "S" versions sitting under the fully-fledged "RS" models. Even though they are paired with different transmissions, the two Mercedes-Benz C450 AMG Sport 4Matic variants (sedan and station wagon) and the GLE450 AMG Coupe 4Matic share the same engine. An all-new, twin-turbocharged, three-liter V-6 offering 367 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque.

Connected with a seven-speed automatic transmission instead of the nine-speed found in the GLE Coupe, the C450 AMG Sport 4Matic can hit 62 mph from a standing start in just 4.9 seconds, making it quicker than any of its rivals from this perspective. As it also comes with a 4Matic all-wheel drive system massaged by AMG to have an even more pronounced rear-biased torque split, the new C-Class model is following in the footsteps of the Audi S4->ke1088 in terms of all-weather performance.

Updated 08/04/2015: Mercedes announced prices for the C450 AMG which will arrive at U.S. dealers in September. Prices will start from $50,800.

Click past the jump to read more about the Mercedes-Benz C450 AMG Sport 4Matic.

Exterior

Even though it is a special model in the C-Class range, albeit not as special as the bonkers Mercedes-AMG C63, the new C450 AMG Sport 4Matic doesn't actually look all that different compared with a "run-of-the-mill" C400 4Matic fitted with the AMG bodykit. This will probably not go well with those preferring something more distinctive-looking, but considering how few understated sports cars are out there nowadays, the somewhat sleeper look will probably be appreciated by plenty of customers. As far as the front end is concerned, the only major difference consists of the standard "star grille" with diamond mesh pattern and a single horizontal bar that flanks the emblem on each side. The A-shaped front bumper is identical to the one featured by the optional AMG bodykit on any other C-Class.

Moving on to the side, there are a number of AMG badges to be found on the front wings and black-painted exterior mirror housings, waistline trim strip and window frames. The model comes in standard with five-spoke AMG light-alloy wheels with a high-sheen finish, but different sets of 19-inch AMG rims in a wider variety of designs are also available for those interested in a different look. At the rear is where the biggest differences compared with a normal C-Class are to be found, as the C450 AMG Sport 4Matic comes with four exit pipes for the exhaust system which are somewhat similar to those from the C63, and aerodynamic diffuser, a small trunk spoiler and special badging.

Interior

While at first glance it may look quasi-identical with the one from a regular C-Class, the interior of the C450 AMG Sport 4Matic is much more distinctive than the exterior. As standard, the upholstery is made from a mixture of Artico man-made leather and a microfiber material called Dinamica (think: Ultrasuede or Alcantara only from a different company) with red contrast stitching, while Artico can also be found on the upper edges of the body, the armrestsm the doors center panels and parts of the center console. Combined with red safety belts from designo and black floor mats with red edging, the interior atmosphere is clearly that of car that goes fast.

The AMG seats have a much sportier layout with better lateral support, while the three-spoke steering wheel has a flat bottom and is engulfed in nappa leather. Since this isn't your average c-Class, the instrument panel is also using the AMG signature of a "checkered flag" design, while the speedometer uses specific AMG typography and red needles to show a scale of 175 mph.

Drivetrain

Even though it has been modified by Mercedes-AMG engineers to offer more power and torque than the version found in the C400, the new three-liter V-6 will probably be the first engine not to be individually hand-built by a single person in Affalterbach, like each and every AMG powerplant in history. Instead, the powerplant will likely be manufactured alongside its brother from the C400 model in regaulr Mercedes-Benz engine plants. With an output of 367 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, the twin-turbocharged six-cylinder is by far the most powerful in its segment, trouncing the Audi S4 engine by 31 horsepower and 59 pound-feet of torque.

The car's class-leading power and torque aren't the only new features though, as the C450 AMG Sport 4Matic has borrowed a couple of front and rear suspension elements straight from the Mercedes-AMG C63 monster. On top of that, drivers can customize the model's dynamics using an array of AMG-specific driving programs called Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus and Individual. Last but not least, the model comes equipped with 4Matic all-wheel drive in standard, which sends 67 percent of the available torque toward the rear wheels and 33 percent toward the front for sportier maneuvers. Unlike the GLE450 AMG Coupe, the C-Class by AMG Sport pairs its engine with a seven-speed automatic transmission with sportier settings, which allows the model to have a naught to 62 mph acceleration time of 4.9 seconds.

Drivetrain Specifications

Prices

The new 2016 Mercedes C450 AMG is priced at $50,800.

Competition

BMW M340i M-Performance

While not officially confirmed as of yet, an M-Performance variant of the BMW 3 Series is likely to be offered after the lineup gets through a mid-cycle facelift in 2015. Using a more powerful variant of the three-liter inline-six from the current 335i range-topper, the possible M340i is expected to offer less horsepower and torque than the C450 AMG Sport 4Matic. Despite a 30 to 40 horsepower discrepancy and even more when it comes to torque figures, the BMW should accelerate a bit faster than its three-pointed star counterpart when and if equipped with an xDrive all-wheel drive system. Speaking of which, the M340i should come in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive variants if other M-Performance models are to be taken as an example. As far as pricing goes, expect the model to also feature a $50,000+ starting price, maybe a little bit less in rwd guise.

Audi S4

With the RS4 no longer available with a sedan body since 2012, the S4 is the current range-topping entry-level executive Audi in the United States. Its supercharged 3.0-liter TFSI (V-6) engine churns out 333 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The oomph is just enough to catapult the sedan from 0 to 62 mph in five seconds flat on its way to an electronically-limited top speed of 155 miles per hour. Power aside, the Audi S4 received its most recent facelift in 2012 and its exterior design isn’t exactly fresh . However, the exclusive body features it has over the standard A4, such as the front grille and the bumper, are likely to keep it attractive in the eyes of Audi enthusiasts. The 2014 S4 is available in only two trims. The Premium Plus starts from $48,100, while the Prestige model wears a $54,000 sticker. The latter is slightly more expensive than the current Mercedes-Benz C400 4Matic, but prices should level up when the C450 AMG Sport 4Matic arrives in showrooms.

Conclusion

Even though both Audi and BMW have more experience and much more models in this soon-to-be-crowded performance segment, Mercedes-AMG's first try at creating a "nearly there" sub-brand seems to have started off on the right foot. With a hefty amount of power and torque at its disposal, the new C450 AMG Sport 4Matic sounds like a great way of entering in the Mercedes-AMG universe without throwing loads of cash (not as much, at least), not to mention the fact that it also offers all-weather performance that's to its standard and rear-biased all-wheel drive system. Even though it isn't as fast as the smaller and cheaper CLA45 AMG, it should find its own set of customers that want someting sporty but not as hardcore as a full-blown AMG model.

Updated History

Updated 01/12/2015: The all-new C 450 AMG 4MATIC made its world debut at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show. Click past the jump to learn all the new details.