The design update for the Mercedes-AMG E 63 S 4MATIC brings with it a revised front end, with larger frontal air intakes and a new splitter beneath the 12 vertical vanes of the AMG grille, complete with a larger three-pointed star. The front arches are now 27mm wider each side, to cover a wider track with bigger 20-inch AMG 5-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels. At the rear, the new two-piece taillights update the looks and there’s a purposeful diffuser and quad tailpipes, to tell anyone following behind this is no ordinary E-Class. The interior has also been updated with a single piece of glass covering widescreen instrumentation and infotainment. AMG touches abound, from the AMG performance seats to the AMG Performance steering wheel with its distinctive twin spokes. The Mercedes-AMG E 63 S 4MATIC is available as either a saloon or an estate.
TECHNOLOGY
The 4.0-litre biturbo V8 in the E 63 S puts out a prodigious 612 metric horsepower (604bhp) and an equally impressive 850Nm of torque. This is enough to rocket the saloon from 0-62mph in 3.4 seconds; being a fraction heavier, the estate takes 3.5 seconds. That power is tamed by a 9-speed AMG Speedshift transmission and 4MATIC all-wheel drive. Uniquely among AMG’s E-Class offerings, the E 63 S offers a two-wheel drive ‘Drift’ mode for those confident enough to trust their skills (on track, presumably). This is accessed by selecting the "RACE" drive program using the shift paddles, once the ESP is deactivated and the transmission is in manual mode. Like the Mercedes-AMG E 53 4MATIC, it has a three-chamber air suspension system with a special spring and damper set-up, but only the E 63 S gets dynamic engine mounts and an electronic rear axle limited slip differential.
SAFETY
The Mercedes-AMG E 63 S 4MATIC comes with a suite of active safety systems including Active Brake Assist, Adaptive Braking, Blind Spot Assist, Attention Assist Traffic Sign Assist, and the Pre-Safe anticipatory safety system. The sophisticated, fully variable all-wheel drive system provides optimum traction whatever the weather throws at it. Driving Assistant Plus adds adaptive cruise control that can automatically adjust speed based on traffic, road signs and road types, with Active Steering Assist and PRE-SAFE® Impulse side for protection in the event of a side impact.
FEATURES
The E 63 S 4MATIC is unique among the AMG E-class models in having twin 12.25-inch screens side by side for instrumentation and infotainment, rather than the 10.25-inch screens of the E 53. For the instrument display, the driver can switch between the three AMG display styles of ‘Modern Classic’, ‘Sport’ and ‘Supersport’. Supersport mode switches to a central, round rev counter and horizontal displays presented in perspective to the left and right of the rev counter for a 3D effect. The E 63 S comes with a choice of six Dynamic Select drive programs as standard, including; ‘Slippery’, ‘Comfort’, ‘Sport’, ‘Sport+’, ‘Individual’ and ‘RACE’.
