Gone is the 5.5-litre biturbo V8 and in comes a new 4.0-litre version not too different from the one in the AMG GT sports cars. Its displacement may have dropped but output figures are up and how! As mentioned earlier, the Mercedes-AMG E 63 S-model makes 612 PS, yes, but there’s also the mental 850 Nm of peak torque — and it now goes through a nine-speed AMG multi-clutch transmission to all four wheels. So much has changed! The turbochargers are set up inside the V-angle of the cylinders — a “hot inner V” as Mercedes put it — to quicken response and reaction time of the hardware to match the action from the foot. Start up and the rumble penetrates the cabin unmistakably and triggers more nerve endings than just the ones connected to the ears.
Making our way from the office to a preferred hilly section on the outskirts of the city, the E 63 S looks menacing and I notice those second glances from many pairs of eyes that focus on the matte grey form that emerges from the confines of the private parking area. The AMG sports suspension is based on Air Body Control but, even in Comfort mode, feels extremely firmly sprung and every little detail of the road surface filters through to the seat. Communicative, yes. Everyday use? We’ll have to see about that.
The V8 rumbles along firing on all cylinders until I settle into a steady cruise and a little blue icon in the south of the info-display changes to four. Cylinder deactivation: that explains the tall 13-plus km/l claim for highway fuel efficiency. In traffic, though, the power delivery seems a little too urgent; the E 63 S lunging forward every time I touch the throttle. There’s also a hint of lag while overtaking thanks to Comfort mode’s altered response. Peak torque arrives from 2,500 rpm and it doesn’t take prisoners. The brakes at city speed are barely warming up and we trundle along through traffic, braking every few seconds for other road-users with no sense of direction until we clear the confines of the city.
When it needs to let loose, however, the Mercedes-AMG E 63 S can really go. Engage Race, the hardest-core of all settings, build the revs, lift off the brake, and 0-100 km/h is dismissed in 4.6 seconds — off the claimed time, but it’s far from ideal conditions. The quarter-mile is destroyed in 12.7 seconds and the E 63 S feels quick, even aggressive, but not like a rabid wolverine tearing away from its leash. Getting around bends and building up the speed again, the gearbox readily drops up to four gears on kick-down, going from sixth to second when acceleration is needed. The drive, too, is split front and rear as variably as needed — there’s even a dedicated “Drift mode” for some more fun on track; I had to refrain. All said and done, it corners hard and precise, though bumps in the road don’t help ride quality one bit. On the brakes, the AMG composite brakes shed speed effortlessly and the lack of drama in how it hauls close to two tonnes from triple-digit speeds to naught is special indeed. For me, it feels like it’s meant to be the spiritual successor to the AMG 300E, a W124-based bruiser of a super-saloon affectionately known as the “Hammer”.
Straight-line speed established, it was on to the bends. The Mercedes-AMG E 63 S is not devoid of drama and, let loose on a twisting road, it’s invigorating and bellows out its wish to be pushed. The firm, heavy-weighted steering feel doesn’t let things get out of hand in tight bends. When blasting out of one corner into the next, it holds its line well. The responses are extremely sharp and a wiggle on corner exit when excitedly hard on the throttle was something I began expecting, but not necessarily getting used to. It’s bonkers fun and almost terrifying on some occasions. The brute of a biturbo V8 dishes out torque like an Oktoberfest kitchen does bratwurst and there’s no shortage at any time, especially in Sport+ and Race modes where the red-line is frequented by the needle every shift.
Attacking the bends done with, I got out of the car briefly to collect my thoughts and senses, the cooling fans humming under that hot bonnet in the late morning sun. The Mercedes-AMG E 63 S is never going to be short on thrill.
As I made my way back, the suspension informing me of every change in road surface and presence of a minor pebble, it occurred to me that this car is all thrill. You get what you paid for, but renting a track or exploring some smooth cross-state roads would be ideal. It’s not an everyday car, especially if you’re going to have a sensitive family or friends. The Mercedes-AMG E 63 S is hardcore and it establishes that from the word go. Its primary rival is the BMW M5, but it could easily demolish many sports cars in a blink — no doubt there. At Rs 1.5 crore (ex-showroom), it’s well-loaded, but there are alternatives across body-styles. However, if you seek a four-door thundercloud with a boot and that iconic badge to wake up to, well…
Need to Know – Mercedes-AMG E 63 S 4MATIC+
Price: Rs 1.50 crore (ex-showroom)
Engine: 3,982 cc, twin-turbo, V8, direct injection, petrol
Max Power: 612 PS @ 5,750-6,500 rpm
Max Torque: 850 Nm @ 2,500-4,500 rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed, dual-clutch automatic, all-wheel drive/selectable rear-wheel drive
Suspension: Four-link front, multi-link rear, adaptive multi-chamber air suspension
Weight: 1,880 kg
Performance: 4.67s 0-100 km/h, 250 km/h (limited) top speed, 6.7 km/l overall
