RE: New Mercedes-AMG E63 announced

RE: New Mercedes-AMG E63 announced

Wednesday 16th November 2016

New Mercedes-AMG E63 announced (updated pics)

612hp and a drift mode that disengages the four-wheel drive system - where do we sign?



What, you thought the German uber saloon had peaked? Not according to AMG. The RS6 Performance and run-out M5 Competition Edition may have broken the 600hp watershed. But in traditional style AMG has done this and then some, the S version of the all-new Mercedes-AMG E63 boasting 612hp, 626lb ft, four-wheel drive, 0-62mph in 3.4 seconds and a well founded claim of being the most powerful E-Class ever built. Since the last one.

Looks are subtle; performance anything but
Looks are subtle; performance anything but
And if that 'four-wheel drive' bit had you worrying then fear not. We're imagining a scene in a meeting at Mercedes HQ where no-nonsense AMG boss Tobias Moers is given the blessing for 600hp-plus in the new E63 but only on the condition it has four-wheel drive. Nodding impassively he passes a note to his sniggering colleagues with the words "drift mode" written on it... Because, yes, if you go through the necessary steps you can disable the four-wheel drive completely and make the E63 rear-driven like AMGs used to be. Just with way, way more power. Nice.

Those necessary steps include selecting Race mode on the dial switch, going to Manual gearshift and turning off the ESP before selecting the setting via the shift paddles. Yup, you can only go rear-wheel drive if you turn the ESP off. No need to ask why they settled on the name Drift Mode then... Yes, we've taken note of this procedure ahead of attending the launch event next month.

So what else does the new E63 have, beyond the ability to bonfire its rear tyres and (possibly) provide a rich source of spectacular YouTube crash videos? AMG's way is typically gentle evolution, with proven technology mixed and matched with a few new bits to spice things up. Every now and then though you get a big step. And the E63 is definitely one of those.

'Hot-V' V8 now with twin scroll turbos and 612hp
'Hot-V' V8 now with twin scroll turbos and 612hp
Let's start with the engine. Also available in 'regular' 571hp E63 trim with 553lb ft of torque (same as an RS6 Performance on overboost...), it's the 4.0-litre 'hot-V' M178 unit familiar from the C63 and GT. But for the first time it uses twin-scroll turbos, to increase both power and torque while improving responsiveness and power delivery across the rev range. There's also cylinder deactivation to help save fuel when you're just chilling. Yes, the most trick and most powerful version of the performance division's turbo V8 is currently only available in an E-Class saloon, not its flagship sports car. Very AMG.

The E63 also ushers in a new era of gearbox technology, the long-serving seven-speed gearbox (an auto with a locking clutch for snappier shifts) replaced with a new nine-speed unit with (seemingly) a similar connection to the engine, though AMG Speedshift MCT now stands for Multi Clutch Technology not Manual Clutch Technology as it did previously. More details on this when we get them.

This powers all four wheels via a new 4Matic+ system that - as we already know - offers fully variable drive torque. E63s have been four-wheel drive previously of course but only in left-hand drive markets, the position of the front power take-off meaning it was prohibitive to engineer a right-hand drive version. Leaving us with the hero spec RWD option as our only choice. Boohoo.  

Bring on that first drive!
Bring on that first drive!
Also new is air suspension all around, dubbed Air Body Control. Previous AMG E-Classes mixed coil-sprung front axles with air-sprung rears, engineers explaining to us that the spring rates required on the front axle meant the rubber chambers would be too thick, impacting small bump compliance and ride comfort. Clearly they reckon the new multi-chamber air springs solve that issue, improved camber stability and steering precision apparently additional benefits. This can also be attributed to the new AMG designed 12-link rear axle, discussed just yesterday in our review of the C63 S Coupe that also uses it. The E63 also gets more track up front too, the wings flared by 17mm to accommodate this.

For the moment the E63 is making its debut as a saloon but, if the spy shots are to be believed, a wagon version is also in development. Given BMW's M5 is a saloon and the RS6 is traditionally an Avant that means AMG can cover both bases, just in case the power advantage and other features weren't enough to tempt you already.


Fancy a classic from the archives? Full E-Class AMG market watch here!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author
Discussion

sidesauce

Original Poster:

2,456 posts

217 months

Tuesday 25th October 2016
quotequote all
612bhp??? Good Lord. clap

numtumfutunch

4,704 posts

137 months

Tuesday 25th October 2016
quotequote all
Im in

Debadged please and a wagon

Cheers

mikearwas

1,112 posts

158 months

Tuesday 25th October 2016
quotequote all
Genius move. Genius.

Tuvra

7,920 posts

224 months

Tuesday 25th October 2016
quotequote all
Ohh yes please bounce

ZesPak

24,421 posts

195 months

Tuesday 25th October 2016
quotequote all
612bhp... Didn't feel that long ago the Murcielago came out sporting 570 odd bhp.
Can't imaging what 612bhp through the rear wheels does!

Debadged and in wagon please.

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 25th October 2016
quotequote all
0-62 in 3.4 seconds eek

leglessAlex

5,383 posts

140 months

Tuesday 25th October 2016
quotequote all
Audi have some proper competition on their hands methinks. It comes in saloon as well as a wagon and will probably sound better than the Audi, but the Audi is a better looking car to my eyes and I slightly prefer the interior.


It's a good time to be a petrolhead in search of an outrageously fast saloon or estate.

MrBarry123

6,025 posts

120 months

Tuesday 25th October 2016
quotequote all
Lovely looking thing that is.

Also interesting that it's fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tyres.

veevee

1,455 posts

150 months

Tuesday 25th October 2016
quotequote all
Ability to disengage AWD potentially the most PH development in automotive technology for quite a long time. Would be nice if this becomes a common feature.

MrHooky

196 posts

141 months

Wednesday 26th October 2016
quotequote all
That does look absolutely lovely. Admittedly I struggle to tell the C and E class apart now from distance, but the E does seem to suit the revised rear end a lot better than the current C that looks a little stumpy in comparison.

Would be a tough choice between this and an RS6. I've always been an Audi man but I do rather like the latest breed of Mercedes. Not that I can afford either...

Nice to see the power war well and truly back on. New M5 will presumably also start with a '6' power wise too...



philmots

4,630 posts

259 months

Wednesday 26th October 2016
quotequote all
I absolutely love stuff like this, it's awesome that it exists.

Makes my 510hp look a bit lame!


David87

6,648 posts

211 months

Wednesday 26th October 2016
quotequote all
Awesome. I'll have an estate, please. Were it not for the dreadful depreciation it will suffer, I would actually be very interesed in one. biggrin

Is this the engine (perhaps not with 600bhp!) going into the next Aston Martin Vantage too?

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

197 months

Wednesday 26th October 2016
quotequote all
The best sounding sports versions of mainstream cars

C63 filthy
E63 bad ass dirty

Then he fire power to back it up.


Fight taken to Audi and really way beyond BMW. Game on.

popeyewhite

19,622 posts

119 months

Wednesday 26th October 2016
quotequote all
The current E63tt is beyond BMW.

In the photos the new car looks stunning. Well done MB.

gumsie

680 posts

208 months

Wednesday 26th October 2016
quotequote all
MrHooky said:
That does look absolutely lovely. Admittedly I struggle to tell the C and E class apart now from distance, but the E does seem to suit the revised rear end a lot better than the current C that looks a little stumpy in comparison.

Would be a tough choice between this and an RS6. I've always been an Audi man but I do rather like the latest breed of Mercedes. Not that I can afford either...

Nice to see the power war well and truly back on. New M5 will presumably also start with a '6' power wise too...
I don't know why I don't like it. Respect the numbers and technology though.
Strange things is the current C Class is to my eyes pretty ugly, but it was an ugliness that actually became good looking when stretched to E Class dimensions. I remember thinking, "The New E is going to look tremendous". Don't now why and I'll have to wait to see it in the flesh but to me that exterior and the Wallace and Grommit interior are an assault on the eyes.
Still my favourite brand but I don't actually like anything that they make right now, (CLS excepted).

Dave Hedgehog

14,541 posts

203 months

Wednesday 26th October 2016
quotequote all
MrHooky said:
Would be a tough choice between this and an RS6. I've always been an Audi man but I do rather like the latest breed of Mercedes. Not that I can afford either...
in wagon form this would be very tempting against the RS6, although the 6 is the best looking RS since the B5, IMO

hmmmm merlin purple /drool

Burwood

18,709 posts

245 months

Wednesday 26th October 2016
quotequote all
Love this car. what an absolute beast. Exterior is spot on. Interior is a techfest

Bassfiendnoideawhathp

5,530 posts

249 months

Wednesday 26th October 2016
quotequote all
That's todays morning w*nk taken care of then...

Dear God! eek

C7 JFW

1,205 posts

218 months

Wednesday 26th October 2016
quotequote all
All wheel drive + switchable RWD mode for weekends. Sold.

It'll sound better than thunder too.

Listen up BMW, do the same thing please.

cobra kid

4,906 posts

239 months

Wednesday 26th October 2016
quotequote all
Great car, but am I the only one that thinks the C class looks like it's melting? A bit droopy?