RE: Revised E63 AMG revealed

RE: Revised E63 AMG revealed

Thursday 10th January 2013

Revised E63 AMG revealed

Updated Mercedes E63 AMG boosted to 557hp, gets RS Audi and M BMW humbling S option with 585hp



So, who's going to blink first and break 600hp in a 'regular' saloon? Jaguar, BMW, Audi and now AMG are all getting close and, surely, but facelift away from making this the new benchmark for mega barges.

New AMG grille and more power behind it
New AMG grille and more power behind it
Suffice to say, even by the standards of the genre there's some serious willy waggling going on between the main German players with the refreshed E63 AMG - teased yesterday with a range-wide E-Class facelift- returning to the ring packing a 585hp punch in its new flagship S variant. This replaces the previous Performance Pack option, which on the outgoing car boosted power from the standard 525hp to 557hp.

On the new one the 'base' 63 gets the 557hp, the S 585hp and torque of 590lb ft from the standard 531lb ft. Mighty in other words. This is the third AMG take on the W212 E63, the original one from 2009 using the celebrated M156 6.2-litre normally aspirated V8 before the switch to the much more torquey (and efficient) M157 5.5-litre twin turbo in 2011.

Visual tweaks aside the changes are less far reaching this time round, at least for us. In the US and other markets the new E63 will be a 4Matic four-wheel drive, a significant move for AMG and one previewed with teaser drives by both Motor Trend and Car And Driver. For Stateside AMG buyers that's a big deal, the straightforward muscle car appeal of rear-driven, V8 Mercs always popular in the US and the move to four-wheel drive causing some disquiet among enthusiasts. Meanwhile we'll stick with the traditional rear-driven set-up. We'll call that one-all given we don't get the manual M5 then.

Wagon remains the discerning choice
Wagon remains the discerning choice
There are significant performance gains for the revised model too, the most spectacular (on the spec sheet at least) being the S version's 3.6-second 0-62mph time. You can argue the relevance of this figure but, rest assured, if it comes to a battle of spec sheets down the pub you've got nearly a second in hand over M5 owners (4.4 seconds) and even the new Audi RS6 trails by three tenths. Top speed is the usual regulated 155mph, with the option to raise this to 187mph if you slip AMG a few extra quid and attend a training event.

Other than that it's the same as the previous E63s, which means AMG's halfway house 'auto with a lock-up clutch' Speedshift MCT 7 gearbox and the steel springs up front and air at the back of previous versions, the reason being that AMG-worthy spring rates on the 48mm wider front axle would require air springs of such rigidity it'd ruin the low-speed ride. Quirky perhaps but it's a proven set-up. Standard brakes are 360mm composite discs with six-pot calipers up front, the S getting red calipers plus the option of 420mm ceramic rotors weighing 40 per cent less and with the requisite increase in bite and staying power. The S model also gets the mechanical LSD that was previously part of the Performance Package plus as-yet unspecified 'further optimisation' for the front axle over the standard E63.

Red brake calipers mark out S versions
Red brake calipers mark out S versions
Mercedes is making a lot of noise about the revised styling too, the E63 apparently the first AMG to bear the new twin-blade radiator and 'A-wing' aero blade in the front apron. Said to represent the A of AMG expect it grafted onto the front of a hot Mercedes near you before too long.

Extra cool points are awarded for the survival of the estate version, which is always a fine choice for the high speed transportation of labradors and wellies and a firm PH favourite.

Four doors or five, barely two weeks in and 2013 is already shaping up to be a vintage year for mentalist V8 luxury cars, whether you want them in saloon, estate or four-door coupe form. Hurrah to that. If you've got the cash we say go for it. And if you haven't we'll meet a few years down the line in the PH classifieds. As it stands 6.2-litre E63s seem to be available from around £40K, previous shape W211 models with the same engine for less than half that, supercharged E55 versions for half of that. Bide your time...







   

 

Author
Discussion

mwstewart

Original Poster:

7,554 posts

187 months

Thursday 10th January 2013
quotequote all
Wow. Mercedes have really got their act together in the last five to six years.

tuffer

8,849 posts

266 months

Thursday 10th January 2013
quotequote all
It's madness I tell you.

kambites

67,461 posts

220 months

Thursday 10th January 2013
quotequote all
I assume that 3.6 seconds figure is for the 4wd version? If it's the RWD one then it's mightily impressive traction.

Uncle John

4,269 posts

190 months

Thursday 10th January 2013
quotequote all
Love the estate, what a car!!

MrKipling43

5,788 posts

215 months

Thursday 10th January 2013
quotequote all
Merc have wheels absolutely nailed on their AMGs at the moment.

Walter Sobchak

5,723 posts

223 months

Thursday 10th January 2013
quotequote all
I think this car is amazing, will definatly be on my radar to buy when it gets to 5 or 6 years old.

Ex Boy Racer

1,151 posts

191 months

Thursday 10th January 2013
quotequote all
MrKipling43 said:
Merc have wheels absolutely nailed on their AMGs at the moment.
I'd prefer wheelnuts personally

160tim

42 posts

187 months

Thursday 10th January 2013
quotequote all
Not the best written article i've read!!

Powerrr

1,978 posts

171 months

Thursday 10th January 2013
quotequote all
sperm

b14

1,060 posts

187 months

Thursday 10th January 2013
quotequote all
kambites said:
I assume that 3.6 seconds figure is for the 4wd version? If it's the RWD one then it's mightily impressive traction.
Has to be - even 2WD supercars struggle with that sort of timing, due to traction issues.

Dan Trent

1,866 posts

167 months

Thursday 10th January 2013
quotequote all
Going by the figures we got the 3.6 second figure IS for the 2WD version. The specs were from a UK market press release. But I will confirm with Merc and let you know.

Cheers,

Dan

W00DY

15,467 posts

225 months

Thursday 10th January 2013
quotequote all
3.6 to 62?


Holy fk.

Remagel2507

1,456 posts

191 months

Thursday 10th January 2013
quotequote all
Looks stunning, current shape E63 is quite a rare thing up here though, the C63 on the other hand is very very popular

Walter Sobchak

5,723 posts

223 months

Thursday 10th January 2013
quotequote all
I wonder if we will see the 4x4 version in Europe at some point in the future?, I understand that a RHD one could be a problem, something might get in the way as has been the case on some other cars but I see no reason why other European Countries couldnt get it?.

Krikkit

26,500 posts

180 months

Thursday 10th January 2013
quotequote all
Holy hell, E63S with a glasshouse please! Even though it's got turbo's I'd put up with them, love the looks.

MrGeoff

645 posts

171 months

Thursday 10th January 2013
quotequote all
Ex Boy Racer said:
MrKipling43 said:
Merc have wheels absolutely nailed on their AMGs at the moment.
I'd prefer wheelnuts personally
This made me laugh! I agree though the AMG wheels look spot on, understated and purposeful looking whilst complimenting the aggressive nature of the car. Well executed Merc! I have to agree Merc have got their act together, these look promising.

ensignia

919 posts

234 months

Thursday 10th January 2013
quotequote all
W00DY said:
3.6 to 62?


Holy fk.
The new 5.0T Audi S8 has clocked 0-60 in 3.5 seconds and it's a fair bit larger.

f328nvl

507 posts

217 months

Thursday 10th January 2013
quotequote all
b14 said:
Has to be - even 2WD supercars struggle with that sort of timing, due to traction issues.
I have a C63 AMG Performance Pack, that arrived on 27th December. It has a thing called "RACE START" (Mercedes capitalise every gadget for some reason). If:
- the doors are shut;
- the engine is at 80C or more;
- SPORT (Capitalised) mode is activated;
- The steering is straight ahead;
- the vehicle is stationary and the brake pedal depressed (left foot);
- the transmission is in position D
Then:
Push the brake pedal;
Turn the drive closewise until the RS (RACE START in capitals)lamp lights up;
Pull the right sector lever;

if you use the throttle within two seconds to get to circa 3,500RPM (ARE YOU LISTENING AT THE BACK?)
Then release the brake and accelerate away. the vehicle accelerates away at maximum speed.

If not used in five seconds go back to step one, or try using skill.

Simples wink

http://rjmghome.blogspot.co.uk/

kambites

67,461 posts

220 months

Thursday 10th January 2013
quotequote all
Or "launch control" as everyone else calls it. Still can't break the laws of physics though, and getting a front engined 2WD car to 60 in 3.6 seconds would require massive friction between the driven wheels at the road. That's an average of 0.78g.

ETA: Oops, wrong order of magnitude!

Edited by kambites on Thursday 10th January 13:11

DanB7290

5,535 posts

189 months

Thursday 10th January 2013
quotequote all
Those headlamps make it look so much better than the previous incarnation