This 2023 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Night Edition is one of the last of a dying breed - a compact performance car built around a proper hand-crafted V8. Sitting right at the top of the 'C' range, it delivers that rare mix of everyday usability and serious performance, with sharp rear-wheel-drive handling and a soundtrack that only a twin-turbo V8 can produce. The Night Edition styling adds a more aggressive edge too, with blacked-out details and subtle upgrades that make it stand out without trying too hard.

Inside, it’s just as well sorted, combining a high-quality, driver-focused cabin with all the modern tech you’d expect. The 9-speed AMG gearbox shifts quickly and smoothly whether you’re cruising or pushing on, and the car feels just as comfortable on longer drives as it does when you want something more engaging. It’s a car that manages to be refined when you need it, but still delivers the character and punch that made AMG’s V8 models so well loved — and with this being one of the final examples, it’s only getting more special.