Mercedes-AMG have revealed their most potent E-Class cars yet: the E 63 4MATIC+ and almost unreasonably track-oriented E 63 S 4MATIC+.
The W213 E-Class was received with a response that had people drawing parallels to the C-Class and the S-Class, some good, some not so good. Yes, the new E 220 d marked the arrival of their all-new 2.0-litre turbo-diesel and that’s a good thing, but what about AMG? They’ve just answered that question with a howler in a golden envelope.
The new E 63 4MATIC+ brings in several enhanced elements and some all-new kit. For starters, there’s bold new styling and an aggressive front end, and, now, a 4.0-litre Bi(Twin-scroll)Turbo V8 that replaces the 5.5-litre unit. However, it now delivers 571 PS and 750 Nm. Then, there is an all-new AMG SpeedShift MCT nine-speed transmission – with a wet start-off clutch for the first time – and an AMG-tuned (and adequately revised) 4MATIC+ full-time all-wheel drive with a mechanical rear differential. The claimed performance figures are a 3.5-second 0-100 km/h time and a top speed of 250 km/h (limited, of course). The brakes are 360×36-mm rotors front and 360×24-mm rear with six-piston callipers up front and single-piston callipers at the rear.
The E 63 S 4MATIC+ on the other hand is the more intense model. The 4.0-litre V8 has its boost turned up to boil and makes a previous-AMG-65-BiTurbo-V12-matching 612 PS. Accompanying it is a hefty 850 Nm of torque. The S gets a limited-slip differential and the brakes are larger: 390×36-mm front an 360×24-mm rear. AMG carbon-ceramic brakes are optional – 402×39-mm front and 360×32-mm at the rear.
There is luxury abound and fantastic attention to detail and seemingly incredibly supportive seats, but there are more clever bits when it comes to the electronics. The interior is widely derived from the S-Class so you have flat wide-screen displays and ambient lighting with plush leather seats and creature comforts most car-buyers aren’t ever aware exist. Autonomous driving features are more advanced, as seen in the E-Class already. COMAND Online takes connectivity and entertainment to the next level, but, and this is interesting, it can transmit all vehicle data – including speed, gear, steering angle, time, position and temperature – to the Mercedes me connect AMG Track Pace app in real time. Of course, for those who know AMG, there are some major highlights.
Yes, there are Dynamic Select drive modes: Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus and Individual, but there are three settings for the ESP too: On, Sport Handling Mode, and Off. Firstly, the drive modes. In Comfort mode, the V8 is essentially running on four cylinders between 1,000 and 3,250 rpm – so you effectively have what is loosely an AMG E 45 on anti-depressents.
Sport Plus is max on the E 63 but the E 63 S also gets a Race mode. In Race mode is where the Drift mode is active – yes, the 4MATIC+ is all rear-biased, if not neglecting the front altogether and stepping in only when needed. The Racestart feature, essentially AMG launch control, allows for a simple procedure: engage Race Mode, brake to the floor, throttle to the floor, and the computer builds up the revs to rocket you off to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds (this is the S, remember) and on to a top speed of 300 km/h.
The E 63 S also gets a 12 o’clock marker on the steering wheel in contrast silver. There are several more details, but we’ll wait to have a go in the car and experiencing them before telling you more about them.
The AMG E 63 and E 63 S will be introduced at the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 16. They should be in India next year. Watch this space.
Story: Jim Gorde
