2001 Mercedes-Benz C-Class T-Modell AMG (S203) 32 Kompressor 5AT (354 HP)

Vehicle Overview

You’d be mistaken to think that hybrid or electric AMGs are the first time the Mercedes-Benz go-fast subsidiary has taken a route outside the norm. The ‘thinking outside the box’ idiom has happened many times in AMG’s history, but the first time it did in the 21st century was probably with the C-Class T-Modell of the S203 generation.

Somewhat surprisingly, the C 32 AMG ar T-Modell, and, to an identical extent, the C 30 CDI AMG, were a paradigm shift in the Mercedes-AMG lineup from the early 2000s. Firstly, in C 32 guise, it was the first official offering of an AMG station wagon, with the in-house tuner usually going for coupes and sedans almost exclusively.

Secondly, the C 32 marked the first and only time AMG offered a supercharged engine in a C-Class. The model was powered by a supercharged, 3.2-liter V6 that delivered no less than 354 PS (349 HP) and 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) of torque, a hefty amount more than the inline-six in the BMW M3 E46. That said, those numbers were also lower than what the rivals at Audi delivered in the only other direct rival of the car at the time, the RS4 Avant.

With that in mind, the C 32 AMG, both in sedan and station wagon guise, was a huge stepping stone for future AMG C-Class models, especially since an even more peculiar AMG version also accompanied it. Called the C 30 CDI AMG (T-Modell in our station wagon case), it was the first and only diesel AMG model and one of the rarest models ever to sport the Affalterbach logo.

Its 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel was an inline-five based on the bulletproof OM612 design, which originally had a 2.7-liter displacement and delivered 170 PS (168 HP) with 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque. After being put through an AMG steroid diet, the powertrain in the C 30 CDI delivered 231 PS (228 HP) and a hefty 540 Nm (398 lb-ft) of torque. While the horsepower number was much lower than on the C 32 AMG, the torque figures were unprecedented for a car in its segment.

The C 32 and the C 30 CDI AMG delivered their power exclusively to the rear wheels through a 5-speed automatic transmission that AMG engineers had massaged for faster shifting. Both had a similar upgraded braking system, with oversized discs and pistons providing much-improved braking power over the standard C-Class.

Other modifications compared to a normal C-Class included an AMG-specific body kit with an A-shaped front bumper providing better cooling, oversized side skirts, and a differently shaped rear bumper. Surprisingly, the two exhaust outlets were only present on the left side of the rear, whether you were looking at the diesel or the supercharged V6.

Apart from a few other, less visually impressive modifications, the two AMG versions were largely identical to their standard counterparts, offering a decent amount of interior room and as much practicality as one would want from a compact executive station wagon. While they delivered all the adrenaline of a sports car, they could also handle daily tasks like grocery runs and family outings, thanks to their wagon body styles. The trunk provided ample cargo space, and the rear seats could be folded down for even more room.

The C 32 AMG T-Modell could sprint from 0 to 100 kph (62 MPH) in just 5.2 seconds, while the C 30 CDI AMG could accomplish the same feat in 6.8 seconds. That may not seem too impressive by today’s standards, nor by early 2000s standards, but you should consider it was a huge upgrade compared to a C 270 CDI, which needed almost 9 seconds to hit 100 kph (62 mph).

An exercise in versatility, the two AMG C-Class versions showed that Germans do have a sense of humor and irony, and despite not having a sales breakthrough, they both paved the way for future, even more erratic, AMG models.