Three Final Edition models announced.

THREE more Mercedes AMG models are about to park up the make’s famous V8 and steer a new course toward cleaner living hybridisation.

The C 63 S coupe and cabriolet and the E 63 S sedan are now being availed in a ‘Final Edition’ package – which means they’re the last hurrah models outfitting with the 4.0-litre biturbo petrol V8 that outputs a rumbling 450kW.

Future editions will come with what the performance maker is calling “highly efficient powerplants inspired by Formula One technology.” The C63 sedan already has one of those, in form of a high tech turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder with electric motor assist drivetrain. Same levels of thump as before, but a very different kind of delivery, according to overseas’ reports.

The Final Edition cars are distinguished by more than just the soon to retire dino-beast under the bonnet; the package also includes a suitable amount of special trim, with nappa grey or black leather with yellow stitching, a bespoke Graphite Grey magno paintwork, ceramic brakes and special decals and badges.

All are limited count productions; the E 63 S has been limited to a build run of just 999 units, spanning the sedan that New Zealand achieves and the wagon that isn’t coming. Mercedes Benz NZ hasn’t said how many of these are coming but the price tag of $290,273.80 suggests it has significant exclusivity.

The cheapest of the three is the C 63 S Coupe at $221,711.95, with the convertible format coming in for $242,429.20.

You’re wondering about the extremely concise pricing? It’s an effect, it seems, of the agency selling model, whereby the car maker rather than the dealer handles sales.

Last year, Mercedes-Benz became the first premium brand to move to a model employed already by Toyota and Honda here, centralising the sales process (including pricing) and using dealers only to hand over sold cars for a fixed fee.