Mercedes-AMG E63 S
Mercedes-AMG E63 S £88,295
WE SAY: STUTTGART NAILS THE SUPER-SALOON BY MAKING IT DRIVER-FOCUSED
Unusually for a car of its ilk, the E63 S is exciting to drive. Other big saloons, such as the BMW M5 and Audi RS6, are amusing, but they’re having a constant battle with themselves to remain under control. Neither of them is as exuberant or rampantly rapid as this new E63 S. Of course, that may change later in the year when the all-new BMW M5 arrives, but even then, I will be surprised if it’s as driver-focused as this Mercedes.
This is a tremendously positive car. With new twin-scroll turbos for its 4.0-litre V8, the engine hits like a sledgehammer, but it’s nothing the new 4WD system and chassis can’t cope with. Well, unless you engage the infamous Drift mode (the front driveshafts are disconnected, the traction control’s of, it’s just you and 604bhp), in which case you’re on your own, sunshine. Honestly, I love that Mercedes has included it, but it’s a recipe for disaster. That’s only ftted to this S version, not the standard £78,935 E63. The S (41bhp more, bigger brakes, vectoring dif, etc) is the one you need.
On a bucking B-road, body control is exceptional for a car of this size and weight, but you will have to be prepared to notch the damper stifness up – just twist the knob to Sport and you’ll be fne. Go further than that (Sport+ and Race are both available), and it becomes too snatchy and edgy. Your family won’t enjoy it much either way.
There’s not as much steering feel as you’d want, but aside from that this is a superb machine to drive. The engine does the full Jurassic Park – it feels gutsy and determined and you don’t detect the 4WD system working beyond being impressed by how tenacious it feels coming out of corners. For a car weighing 1,950kg to feel this sharp is a real achievement.
The thing to remember before you get carried away is that this is a supersaloon frst, an executive car second. Comfort sacrifces have been made. This does not cruise as gently as a standard E-Class. Don’t get me wrong – it’s still quiet and the seats are cosseting, but you will always be aware you’re driving something special. But you won’t care because you get to uncork 604bhp whenever you like.