When it comes to truly world-class performance machinery derived from lesser, but still brilliant, cars there are really only two names that count. Or, rather, four letters: “M” and “AMG”.
The Germans know how to squeeze utterly mental power out of otherwise “standard” cars better than anyone else on the planet. I mean, take the Mercedes-Benz E-Class as an example; it covers the spectrum from humble taxi to retirement car in its home market, while it takes on the role of upmarket older-person’s car here in New Zealand.
So what does AMG do? Well, slap a massive twin-turbo V8 into it and create a car that can accelerate faster than a Porsche 911…
What is it?
An intercontinental hot rod would be the best single phrase to accurately describe the E 63S; big, comfortable, packed full of technology and ridiculously powerful, the E 63S is the pinnacle of the AMG E-Class tree and the only version we are getting here.
You see, Mercedes-Benz in New Zealand (and Australia) decided that they may as well just go big with the newest AMG and simply didn’t bother with the lesser standard E 63. What with its weedy 410kW and 720Nm and all, it is barely worth bothering about.
Well, not when you consider the E 63S’s 430kW and simply massive 800Nm, that is. But it is not just the extra grunt that elevates the S model above its “lesser” sibling – there is also a whole bunch of extra kit as well. Not that the E 63 was in any way left wanting for kit…
Anyway, on the outside the S gets an extra “S” badge on boot lid, subtle “V8 BITURBO” badges on the wings (just, y’know, because…), an AMG body kit that includes a spoiler lip on boot lid, flared wheel arches, a special front apron with front splitter in silver chrome, a rear apron with diffuser fins and silver-chrome trim strip and side sill panels with inlays in silver chrome, an AMG grille with silver chrome finish double louvres, 10-spoke 19-inch alloy wheels, an AMG sports exhaust system with two chromed dual tailpipes, red brake callipers and an LED Intelligent Light System.
While this sounds quite a lot of bling, the net result is surprisingly subtle, with the E 63S having a subdued, muscular appearance, especially when compared to something like a BMW M5.
On the inside the E 63S is equally subtle, but massively well-specced. Apart from the stubby AMG gear shifter placed on the centre console, as opposed to Mercedes’ now-traditional column stalk position, the interior of the E 63S could easily be mistaken, at first glance, for a top-spec “ordinary” E-Class, complete with all the huge amount of spec that comes with that.
Look closer though, and it quickly becomes apparent this isn’t an ordinary E-Class. Special AMG front door sill panels with white LED illumination tip you off when you open the door, while it also gets an AMG instrument cluster which includes AMG’s “Racetimer” and start-up display, an AMG steering wheel in black nappa leather and Alcantara, silver AMG seat belts, brushed stainless steel sports pedals with rubber studs, AMG sports seats with enhanced lateral support, contrasting topstitching and the AMG emblem embossed in the front head restraints, Nappa leather upholstery with dashboard and door beltlines in Artico” man-made leather”, an electric rear window roller blind and high-gloss black ash wood trim.
Moving to the bits that make the E 63S particularly special, the highlight of which is the mighty 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine that spits out the aforementioned 430kW of power and 800Nm of torque.
To compliment all this power, the E 63S also scores an MCT seven-speed sports transmission with four transmission modes and “Race Start” launch control function (really!), as well as a 3-stage electronic stability programme, an AMG limited-slip rear differential, AMG Ride Control sports suspension with an adjustable damping system and self-levelling suspension on the rear axle and an AMG high-performance brake system with composite brake discs at front.
The E 63S clocks in at $215,000, and it has to be said that, while that is a lot of money, you really do get a staggering amount of car for it.
What’s it like?
Quite remarkable, actually. And not just for the enormous noise it makes and the utterly relentless acceleration when you nail the throttle to the floor. Although, that goes a long way towards it…
The E 63S’s most truly remarkable aspect is the way it combines luxury car comfort and wafting ability with its truly ferocious muscle car nature.
The E 63S may be a truly luxurious, comfortable large car, but its inner animal is never far away, no matter what setting you may have it in. And when you do unleash that particular animal, it is truly spectacular indeed.
Acceleration in the E 63S is eye-wideningly aggressive. The big car settles slightly back on its haunches as the world explodes into a symphony of mechanical belligerence and the E 63S belts towards the horizon at a simply staggering rate that translates into a zero to 100km/h sprint of a completely silly 4.1 seconds.
But the E 63S isn’t simply a straight-line special – it possesses some pretty impressive cornering skills as well. Regardless of whether you have the adjustable suspension in “comfortable” or “smash your head in” mode, the E 63S tips eagerly into a corner with the sharpness of a far smaller car.
The amount of body roll depends on the suspension setting, but it is simply never anything more than gently progressive and predictable, much like the rear end. Although, that depends on your chosen stability control setting and willpower on the throttle…
What’s good about it?
Well, 430kW and 800Nm for a start. But it is the control and application of all that power and torque that make the E 63S very special indeed. The interior is spectacularly well made and stunningly comfortable, while the exterior is regal and subdued, but also very obviously angry.
What’s not so good?
Not much really. The interior could do with a bit more AMG-ness to it, but then we would probably just complain that it was too over-the-top for such a classy car…
First impressions?
The E 63S AMG is a staggering piece of kit. It’s ability to combine both luxury cruiser comfort with head-crushing muscle car performance and startlingly nimble handling place it at the head of the pack when it comes to big, country-devouring executive hot rods.
Even my beloved BMW M5/M6 can’t quite match the E 63S’s particular blend of traits in the special way that the big Merc does. Sure, the BMW is ultimately a sharper tool and is equally capable of combining luxurious comfort with ballistic performance, it does require a number of buttons to be pushed to switch between the two personalities.
The E 63S doesn’t need this. Sure, it has all the modes and buttons, but the one button that transforms it regardless of what mode it is in is down on the floor next to the brake pedal. Its personalities blend seamlessly when that button is pushed to the floor. And then there is the sound. Oh Lord, the sound…
Specifications
Models/prices
E 63S AMG – $215,000
Powertrain
5.5-litre V8 biturbo petrol producing 430kW/800Nm; seven-speed automatic transmission; rear-wheel drive
Fuel consumption: 10l/100km
CO2 emissions: 234g/km
Safety
ANCAP/EuroNCAP rating: n/a
Air bags: 9
Stability control: yes
Lap/diagonal belts: 5
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