MERCEDES-BENZ E63 & E63S

Mercedes-Benz has updated the look of the E63 and E63S saloon and estate, in the wake of updates across the entire range announced earlier this year. The classic Mercedes-Benz saloon is now even sportier than before, but will this (or any) update keep the

central cooling air inlet in the wholly restyled front section is significantly larger than before. It now also bears the radiator grille with twelve vertical louvres and central star which is even larger. The same ‘Panamericana’ grille now appears on a variety of AMG cars, including the AMG GT four-door, AMG A45, and the AMG GT coupé. Together with the flatter all-LED multibeam headlamps, the model’s characteristic wheel arches flared further outwards, and the rounded-fit bonnet with powerdomes, a completely new, considerably more dynamic appearance is created.

A further striking feature is a nicely fitting flap in high-gloss black which extends across the entire front apron, continues into the outer edge of the jet-wing and rounds this off outwards to the sides. The front splitter is either kept in the colour of the vehicle (base model), in Silver Shadow (S-Model), in high-gloss black (with optional AMG Night Package) or in carbon fibre (with the optional AMG Exterior Carbon-Fibre Package I).

On the E63, AMG-designed alloy wheels are standard 19-inchers, while the E63S is fitted with 20” rims.

Flatter bi-section tail lights now extend into the boot lid, where they are visually linked with a trim strip in high-gloss chrome. The boot lid gets a body-colour spoiler lip, which is also available in carbon fibre with the optional AMG Carbon-Fibre Package Exterior II.

The reshaped rear apron makes the rear of the car look even wider (as if it wasn’t wide enough already), and is also said to improve aerodynamics. The rounded, 90 mm trapezoidal twin tailpipes are chrome-plated on the base model, and on the S-Model, they have a new design in titanium matt with fluting on the exterior and interior. The rear section is rounded off by the high-gloss black diffuser, also restyled, with two longitudinal fins.

REFINEMENT IN ACTION

E-Class cars have historically been leaders in interior ambience and style, and the current generation is no exception. Although we will reserve our first-hand opinion of the interior until our upcoming real-world test, there’s no doubt that upgrades to the E63 interior will raise the bar on performance luxury.

The AMG seats are upholstered in Nappa leather, combine secure lateral support with high comfort on long journeys and have an AMG-specific seat upholstery layout with an “AMG” badge in the front seat backrests. Other leather variants are optionally available. AMG Performance seats with integrated head restraints and even better lateral support can also be ordered on request.

The E63S version adds Nappa leather trim also to the dashboard and beltlines, as well as seat belts

in crystal grey. Nappa leather in black/titanium grey pearl, with yellow contrasting topstitching, is in the range as new AMG-specific upholstery. Individually adjustable ambient lighting also comes as standard.

A further highlight is the MBUX infotainment system with a touchscreen and touchpad, the intelligent voice control plus AMG-specific displays and settings. The two screens for the instrument cluster and multimedia displays, blend visually beneath a shared glass cover to form Mercedes’ widescreen cockpit concept.

In the base model, the monitors measure 10.25” diagonally, on the S-Model 12.25” screens are on board as standard. The instrument cluster display can be switched between the three AMG display styles of “Modern Classic”, “Sport” and “Supersport”. Via the AMG menu, the driver can call up various special AMG displays such as engine data, gear speed indicator, warm-up, set-up, G-Meter and RACETIMER. With individual AMG displays, such as visualisation of the drive programs or telemetry data, the touchscreen multimedia display likewise underscores the car’s dynamic configuration.

THE “SWISS ARMY KNIFE” OF ENGINES

Mercedes-Benz has undoubtedly made the most of one of its finest engines to date, having crammed it into everything from the C-Class to the GT.

The AMG 4.0-litre V8 Biturbo engine in the E 63 S (combined fuel consumption 11.9-11.6 l/100 km) continues to achieve 450 kW and a maximum torque of 850 Nm. It is available across a broad engine speed range from 2,500 to 4,500 r/min. The E 63 (combined fuel consumption 11.8-11.6 l/100 km) has an output of 420 kW and 750 Nm torque. Sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h takes 3.4 seconds in the S, and 3.5 seconds in the standard E63.

LAST WORD

While the age of Covid-19 has brought the digitised reveal of cars such as the E63 to more journalists and enthusiasts from around the globe, the downside is the clear lack of being able to physically experience (and report on) this car’s dynamic personality. For now, the legend continues to impress on paper, and given the most recent updates will likely maintain its position as the most Mercedes-Benz Merc in the field.