AMG Takes Mercedes's E-Class To The Max
What You Get
This latest high performance Mercedes AMG sedan arguably has no direct rival in the current Australian market. Its formidable combination of a highly tuned 6.3-litre V8 engine, unique-to-Daimler AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed automatic transmission, extraordinary suspension, sumptuous cabin and its placement within a 41 year tradition of high-powered Mercedes sedans entirely justifies the $234,900 asking price.
A special list of options including stealth fighter style matt paintwork (and soon, ceramic composite brakes) encourages customers to create a one-off car. Australia is one of the top five AMG markets and early demand for the E63 is strong.
Under The Hood
It is a mistake to imagine that the E63 is merely a bigger and better specified version of the C63. With 50 kW more power and an extra 30 Nm of torque from the celebrated AMG 6.3-litre V8 (actually 6.2, but an oddity in German law means that 6208 cc is classed as 6.3 litres), the E63 outshines its C-Class sibling - on paper, at least, because the power to weight (1840 kg for the E63) ratios are similar.
Essentially, the E63 uses technology from the SL 63 Roadster. Maxima of 386 kW and 630 Nm propel it straight into the ranks of supercars, many of which cost multiples of the AMG Mercedes' price. Zero to 100 km/h wastes just 4.5 seconds of your precious time. The unique and highly elaborate automatic transmission has no torque converter (a feature in common with its 1968 ancestor, the legendary 300SEL 6.3) but has a radical wet start-up clutch.
Drivers have a huge range of choice, including a race-start function and full manual operation via paddle shifts. Fuel economy is more than 15 per cent better than the previous model at an official combined figure of 12.7 litres per 100 kilometres. Carbon dioxide emissions are 298 g/km.
The Interior
Even the least expensive of the E-Class Mercedes variants boasts a luxurious interior but the E63 is unstintingly plush with soft Nappa leather (in your choice of black, grey or beige, available with any exterior colour) extending onto the fascia, door trims, armrests and console. The front sports seats are electrically adjustable and can be heated or cooled (or, fascinatingly, both at once!).
The driver can push a button to make the seat adjust its support according to g-forces. The rooflining, pillars and sun visors are trimmed in Alcantara (an expensive suede-like fabric). Less visible items include drowsiness detection , Lane Keeping Assist and Blind Spot Assist systems, along with 11 airbags. And, yes, the crash safety rating is five stars.
Exterior & Styling
Although the body is shared with lesser E-Class models, the E63 has several unique elements. AMG front and rear aprons and side skirts combine with the emphatic 19-inch alloys to give this über sedan a hunkered-down, ready-for-the-racetrack demeanour.
The front guards are flared by 17 mm to accommodate the 56 mm wider track. The quad exhaust outlets are pure designer items which add a superb finishing touch to a highly purposeful vehicle.
On The Road
The E63 is pure joy with its rocketship acceleration and fabulous dynamics. It feels incredibly wieldy for such a substantial car. The inbuilt double-declutching and the V8 Supercar-like comments from the exhaust during gearchanges under full throttle delight the enthusiast. The suspension entails no apparent compromise between plush ride and agile handling, thanks to its blend of steel spring struts up front and rear air struts with automatic self-levelling at the rear and electronically controlled damping.
Very hard driving showed up no diminution of stopping power but the expensively optional ceramic composite brakes which will be on offer soon are likely to be chosen by the extreme enthusiast. Nevertheless, that driver should probably choose the lighter, less complex and less expensive C63 as a weapon of choice for events such as Targa Tasmania and Classic Adelaide.
Challenges
Remarkably in such a beautifully made car, the paddle shifts require excessive pressure to operate, making it easier to choose the Sport-plus automatic mode for maximum attack.
Verdict
The Mercedes-Benz AMG E63 is one of the most desirable cars Car Showroom has tested. That price tag of about $250K on the road looks inexpensive for the awesome automotive experience and provenance it obtains.
Challenges
As already implied, perhaps the E63's most formidable rival is the $148,900 C63. The BMW M5, is dearer at $241,816. It has been around some years now and cannot match the completeness of the E63's specification and appointments.Audi's $263,500 RS6 has more urge but less finesse.
Likes
True successor to the legendary 1968-72 300 SEL 6.3, fabulous AMG V8, superb balance
Dislikes
Radical automatic transmission is perhaps too complex
