AMG C 63 S combines performance with pleasure

A proper sports car should leave the driver with a giant grin and the urgent need to keep on driving.

The Mercedes AMG C 63 S, in spite of its boxy appearance, does just that and more. It has more class — and style — than any of the competitors in this category. Mercedes AMG C 63 S Base $83,700, as tested $96,900 Part of the appeal of this car is its stealth nature. It looks every bit the boxy, big Mercedes sedan and would not be out of place with a uniformed chauffeur at the wheel.

But if you owned it and had even an ounce of octane in your blood, that poor driver would be out of a job.

Driving the AMG is pure pleasure. The sensuous, luxurious interior, with AMG sport seats, ensures comfort on drives of any duration. The world outside may be blurring past, but inside it’s snug and quiet.

On the road the four-door is a comfortable cruiser — until you switch the drive mode to sport and activate the snorting, burbling exhaust.

Now put your foot down, and the 503-hp V8 twin turbo propels the car from zero to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds. We tested the AMG C 63 S on the track, with a full load of adults. Not only did it accelerate like a champion, it handled the corners with amazing agility and finesse — and left us all giggling with delight.

For the money, you get the amazing driving experience and a comprehensive suite of safety, performance and driver assistance options. Cadillac ATS-V Base $65,750, as tested $86,630 This big, four-door sedan is a comfortable grand touring car with enough oomph to let the rear end hang out around corners.

It sounds great, has an understated and distinctly masculine interior and swallows up bumps in the road for a very quiet ride. One flaw is very low rear headroom.

The 3.6-L twin turbo makes 464 hp and 445 lb.-ft. of torque, and in the model we tested, an eight-speed automatic delivers power to the rear wheels. The base model comes with a manual transmission. Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Base $90,195, as tested $93,330 Take this Vette to the track — please.

Everything about this car, from the flying wedge shape to the “Racing Yellow” paint to the stripped down interior, screams “track beast.”

And that’s before you fire up the 6.2-L supercharged V8 (that makes 650 hp and lb.-ft. of torque) under the long snout. It delivers head-snapping acceleration and a fearsome, biting growl that begs you to let it loose.

Utterly pointless on public roads, this wonderful car needs a lapping or racing venue to truly show its stuff. Ford Shelby GT350 Base $62,599, as tested $72,699 What a blast and what a bargain. Ford has really nailed it with the Shelby GT350.

It’s loud, brash, aggressively good looking and handles extremely well on the track.

With a 5.2-L V8 (making 526 hp and 429 lb.-ft. of torque), which is Ford’s most powerful naturally aspirated production engine, the GT350 powers from a standstill to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds.

That’s combined with a host of handling and safety features, a comfortable interior and good road manners. Lexus RC 350 AWD Base $54,600, as tested $61,100 The Lexus entry in this category is both the least powerful, with a 3.5-L V6 offering 307 hp and 276 lb.-ft. of torque, and the least expensive.

The RC 350 is comfortable and has good visibility.

The six-speed automatic is smooth and responsive.

It’s also an extremely good-looking coupe with Lexus F-Sport badging and trim and lean, sculpted body lines.

This car delivers very good value and an entertaining driving experience.