It's the Merc with the mostest

The AMG C32 will costs upwards of $160,000, or about $20,000 more than its BMW M3 rival.

Overseas reports say there is not much between the two. In one shootout, the C32 was judged faster, more comfortable and with more communicative steering than the M3. But it wasn't as dynamic or adjustable as the BMW when push came to shove.

The C32 is powered by a supercharged 3.2-litre V6 producing 262kW at 6100 rpm and 430Nm of torque at 4400 rpm. Drive is channeled to the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual/ automatic gearbox, which adapts to a driver's style and is quicker through the gears.

AMG used the engine from the C320 and modified the crankshaft, conrods, camshafts, valve springs and oil pump and bolted on a supercharger.

The resulting powerplant provides the C32 with astonishing straight-line speed, say reports, leading to a zero to 100 km/h time of 4.6 sec and the 160 km/h sprint in 11.5 sec. The ride height of the C32 is 30mm lower than the standard C320.