The pinnacle of the Mercedes-Benz E Class is the awesome E63 AMG
On an earlier road test the E500 ticked all the boxes and totally won over this writer. Oh what a foolish notion this was! It was no contest. Yes, the E500 is a great machine, but the E63 AMG raises the bar far beyond, as it is such a brilliant package. The media launch for the new hero car was in 44 degree heat in the Adelaide hills. Some quick sprints along sections of the Classic Adelaide Rally route declared the E63 AMG as one very hot car. Yes it is big and quick, and has power and acceleration that is as subtle as a Mack truck, but it is so much more.
It is sporty and refined, comfortable and technologically advanced, but essentially it is as happy cruising through city streets, as showing its brutal side when asked on open roads. It is very much a driver's car. There is no mistaking that the new flagship E Class is a big beast, and at around 1850kg no lightweight.
Our drive route took in 300kms of winding, hilly, often narrow roads, with plenty of challenges, such as one way bridges, corkscrew turns and illogical road cambers! This was not the place to play with a car that would be better suited to a race track or long stretch of country road. Oh, how wrong we were soon proved. The E63 AMG was like a kid in a lolly shop, as it absolutely thrived in these conditions. In the E63 AMG Benz have subtly moved the goal posts, delivering a premium sedan that is better in every area.
E63 AMG launched
One of the world's most desirable cars, the new Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG is now on sale. It commands serious money at a RRP of $234,900, but this is actually $4,056 less than its predecessor, the 2006 E63 AMG (W211). Mercedes-Benz E Class product manager John Vasili also claims that the price represents a $32,000 saving as the new car includes $28,000 of additional equipment over its predecessor. We won't quibble over price, other than to say if you can afford it, the E63 AMG represents good value.
Family ties
The E63 AMG performance sedan sits at the pinnacle of the four model E-class family. It is the fifth generation of AMG enhanced E-Class models and combines fresh paintwork with a sophisticated powertrain, heavily revised suspension and luxurious, high spec interior.
The AMG variant shares the same bodyshell as the more 'mundane' E-Class models, gaining slightly wider front mudguards and more aggressive bumpers, sideskirts and a boot lip spoiler. The AMG has a real Jeckyll and Hyde character, providing a luxury four door ride, that with a gentle touch of the accelerator reverts to primeval instincts and will leave most other vehicles in its dust. Australia is in the exclusive top 5 AMG worldwide markets and this latest offering is sure to further the AMG brand here, where it already represents 5 percent of new Mercedes sold. Such is the success at the top end of the performance market, that five local buyers forked out $680,000 for the limited edition SL65 Black. Mercedes is currently holding orders for 30 E63s.
Powertrain
The big Mercedes sits above other E-Class models by virtue of offering the AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine driving the rear wheels via an enhanced AMG Speedshift seven-speed transmission, and a host of technology transferred directly from the SL 63 AMG high performance Roadster. Power is a strong 386kW, while torque is a thumping 630Nm, yet despite these figures, AMG engineers have managed to tweak an extra 8kW of power compared to its predecessor, while achieving fuel savings of 15 percent to deliver official consumption figures of 12.7-litres per 100kms. This has been made possible by an on demand delivery of fuel and alternator management, with recuperation of braking energy on the overrun.
The AMG Speedshift 7-speed sports transmission is a beauty with drivers having the choice of four dial-up drive programs. In 'C' (Controlled Efficiency) mode, the programming performs early upshifts, starting off in 2nd gear, with gentle gear changes providing better fuel economy. The other modes are 'S' (Sporty) with gears revving further, with 20 percent faster shifting, 'S+' (Sport plus) which is 40 percent faster again, and 'M' (Manual), where the driver can select gears with the steering wheel mounted paddles delivering gearshifts in just 100 milliseconds. And if you have a hankering to drive like a racing driver there is 'RS' (racing start), which provides maximum launch power. This is not for the faint hearted, with power delivery something to be experienced. One of the outstanding features of the Shiftspeed system is the replacement of the former torque converter with a wet clutch running in an oil bath.
Suspension gets another big tick. The AMG Ride control sports suspension features steel spring struts at the front and AMG specific air springs at the rear. There is a new, electronically controlled damping system which automatically varies the damping characteristics according to the driving situation, reducing the roll angle of the body. The result is instant adjustment to provide the best possible ride comfort together with the greatest possible agility.
The E63 AMG is also equipped with a dedicated front axle which provides a 56mm wider front track, a tubular stabiliser, new control arms, new wheel bearings and new hub carriers for extra negative camber, which provides more grip when taking bends at speed. There is new speed sensitive steering, which is deadly precise and ESP can be selected in three modes. Selected at the push of a button, the ESP button allows the driver to choose between 'ESP on', 'ESP sport' and 'ESP off'.
The E63 AMG is equipped with AMG high performance braking system, with 360mm internally ventilated brake discs all round. As an option, Australian buyers can also specify optional ceramic composite brakes with larger discs guaranteeing even better braking performance - the sting being that this option, which won't be available until the second quarter of this year will cost around $20,00.
The vehicle is shod with 19-inch AMG alloy wheels with mixed tyre sizes of 255/35 R91 at the front and 285/30 R19 at the rear.
Performance
Describing the E63 AMGs performance is a no brainer. Put simply it is awesome. It will thunder to 100km/h in just 4.5 seconds, or just a handful of car lengths, and if given its head, will continue on to 250km/h, and only then it is harnessed through electronic capping. If this was removed the car would comfortably race on to exceed 300km/h - and this with four passengers and some luggage on board. At the national press launch we drove some 300 kms of challenging roads that basically went from left to right hand lock as we barelled around sharp corners. This course demonstrated the incredible acceleration from the engine, whether in short or extended bursts, but also the brilliant engine braking from the V8.
The E63 AMG is extremely stable with superb handling when driven briskly and if you arrive at a tight bend a little bit too hot, it is very forgiving, with braking super efficient and the tracking around bends tight and direct with little body roll. Coming out of the corner, apply a little go, and the car will accelerate away with a lovely exhaust warble coming from the four exhaust pipes. As I said, this is a car that a driver can really enjoy.
Inside story
The cabin shares the same basic layout with other E-Class sedans, with the gear shift surrounded by a row of button controls to select drive programs, ESP and suspension settings. The Command controller has been moved rearward. There are standard sport seats and leather extends onto the dash and door trim. There is a unique AMG instrumentation cluster. Front seats are multi-power adjustable, with a nice feature being adaptive side bolstering, which when selected detects when the car is going into a bend and they squeeze a little to hold you in your seat. The AMG features the full compliment of safety equipment, including a new pelvis airbag for front passengers. Standard gear includes high grade leather upholstery, AMG sports pedal cluster and AMG door sills. A performance package can also be specified which adds AMG ride control performance suspension, rear diff lock and a performance three spoke steering wheel.
Summary
Certainly the E63 AMG has winner stamped all over it. It is a step up on previous models, offering more power, improved ride and handling, excellent braking, seven-speed transmission and the list goes on. If you can resist the temptation to experience the power, fuel economy is also quite acceptable for a V8 of this size. While this vehicle is all about performance, it delivers it in an exemplary fashion, with occupants cocooned in a luxury cabin, full of niceties to add to the enjoyment. The dual edges of performance and luxury sum up the E63 AMG. It is a beauty to drive, boasts an enviable list of safety features and really, if you can afford it - why wouldn't you?
Brian Tanner
In brief
Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG. Engine: Hand built 6.3-litre V8 Power/torque: 386kW/630Nm Suspension: New AMG Ride Control suspension, wider front track, speed sensitive sports steering, high performance braking system Safety: 11 airbags, Attention Assist driver fatigue detection system, Blind spot assist, 3-stage electronic stability program, lane keeping assist, Distronic Plus radar guided cruise control, Pre-safe occupant protection system.
