Official pictures and details of the new Mercedes E63 AMG saloon and estate, offering up to 577bhp and a 3.6sec 0-62mph time
By Stephen Dobie10th January 2013
Mercedes has revealed full details and more photographs of its new E63 AMG sports saloon and estate. The E-class has enjoyed a raft of updates for 2013, and the big news surrounding the AMG model is a new S-Model, which boasts 577bhp and a stunning 3.6sec 0-62mph time.
At the big AMG’s heart is the 5.5-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine from the outgoing car, but in standard tune it has been boosted from 518 to 549bhp, while torque ruses from 516 to 531lb ft. The result is 0-62mph in 4.2sec and a limited 155mph top speed, with fuel economy a claimed 28.8mpg.
Grabbing the headlines, though, is the S-Model upgrade, which replaces the AMG Performance Package. This lifts outputs further to 577bhp and 590lb ft – pitching the AMG far above the BMW M5, Porsche Panamera Turbo S and Jaguar XFR-S – and endows the E63 with that stunning 3.6sec 0-62mph sprint, which makes it brisker than a number of supercars.
The E63 AMG Estate takes 0.1sec longer at 3.7sec, but that’s still enough to make Audi’s four-wheel drive RS6 Avant feel comparatively lethargic, hitting 62mph in 3.9sec. That pesky 155mph limit stays in place, however, despite the speedometer reading to 200.
As before, the E63 AMG is rear-wheel drive and uses a seven-speed AMG Speedshift automatic gearbox, with a variety of modes ranging from ‘Controlled Efficiency’ – with stop/start tech – to Sport Plus and manual. The S-Model gets a mechanical limited-slip differential as standard, too, while ceramic brakes lie on its option list.
Some markets outside the UK will be able to specify their E63 AMG with 4MATIC all-wheel drive, but like the manual BMW M5, this is an option we’ll have to do without. Otherwise, changes to the E63 amount to tweaked styling, with a bold new front-end look eschewing the traditional twin-headlight E-class look and a tidier rear.
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG will be available as a saloon and an estate; sales of the standard car kick off in April, with the S-Model shaking up the sports saloon class from June. No prices have yet been announced, but a small rise over the existing E63 range – which starts at £74,920 – seems likely. The new E63 AMG debuts at the 2013 Detroit motor show, which starts on January 14.
