604 bhp E 63 AMG

New Merc E-class that’ll outgun a Ferrari

MERCEDES is aiming to set a new bar for supersaloon performance with the latest Amg-tuned version of its E-class.

The E 63 and E 63 S have been revealed ahead of a public debut at next month’s Los Angeles Motor Show, with a couple of very significant mechanical changes separating the BMW M5 and Audi RS6 rivals from their predecessors. They move from a 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 to a smaller 4.0-litre unit, and now get 4MATIC four-wheel drive as standard across the line-up.

Despite the loss of capacity, Mercedesamg’s latest motor (which made its debut in the AMG GT sports car) actually brings an increase in power and performance. The regular E 63 now produces 563bhp, a gain of 14bhp, while the more potent E 63 S has 30bhp more than before, at 604bhp.

The motors offer 750Nm and 850Nm of torque respectively, and a broad spread of power between 2,500rpm and 4,500rpm. There’s only one gearbox: Mercedes’ dual-clutch nine-speed automatic.

The switch to four-wheel drive also helps the rapid acceleration figures; even the ‘regular’ E 63 can sprint from 0-62mph in 3.5 seconds, while the E 63 S trims a tenth off that time (it’s also two tenths faster than a Ferrari California) and can reach a maximum speed of 186mph when equipped with the AMG Driver’s Package option.

Mercedes claims it will still be possible to drift the E 63. Deactivating the ESP and putting the transmission into manual operation activates a Drift Mode; then the car is, in effect, driving only its rear wheels.

Designers have gone for a suitably aggressive approach with the exterior styling. There are flared wheelarches at the front and, for the first time on an AMG saloon, an inset bonnet, like on a coupé. Inside, carbon fibre trim has been used extensively across the dashboard, plus there’s purple mood lighting and a mixture of cross-stitched leather and Alcantara on the steering wheel.

The E 63 and E 63 S saloons will go on sale from mid-january 2017, with first deliveries due by next June. Estate versions of the two models will arrive around three months later. The E 63 should cost from just over £75,000 – that’s about £1,000 more than the outgoing M5 – with the E 63 S set to be priced at around £83,000.

■ Mercedes-amg unleashes E 63 and E 63 S with 4.0 V8 and 4WD “Despite switch from 5.5 to 4.0-litre V8, E 63 brings more power and performance”