New Mercedes-AMG E63 revealed

[Express]

New Mercedes-AMG E63 revealed


New four-door performance sedan packs more power to make it AMG's fastest accelerating series production model yet.



25 October 2016
Greg Kable






2017 Mercedes-AMG E63 S. Photo: Daimler AG - Global Communications Mercedes-Benz Cars
























Mercedes-Benz's AMG performance car division has unveiled the third-generation E63, claiming the plush new sedan is the fastest accelerating model it has ever produced with an official 0-100km/h time of just 3.4sec in top-of-the-line S 4Matic+ guise.

Revealed in a series of official photographs ahead of a planned public debut at AutoMobility LA (formerly the Los Angeles auto show) in mid-November, the new E63 also holds the distinction of being the most powerful series production four-door model to ever wear the revered AMG name.

Fitted with the latest evolution of AMG's twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine, the new Mercedes-AMG model will be sold in two distinct versions. In standard E63 4Matic+ form it offers 420kW and 750Nm of torque. The most popular version of the rapid AMG sedan in Australia, however, is expected to be the range-topping E63 S 4Matic+, which with added turbocharger boost pressure and other power enhancing tweaks packs a stout 450kW and 850Nm.

To put this into context, the recently unveiled BMW M5 Competition Edition's twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 engine serves up 441kW and 700Nm, while the Audi RS7 Performance's twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 kicks out 445kW and 750Nm.

The new engine, which is mounted on dynamic mounts in E63 S 4Matic+ to suppress weight transfer under throttle load changes, replaces the older twin-turbocharged 5.5-litre V8 used in the outgoing second-generation E63, providing the standard model with an added 10kW and 40Nm and the S with an extra 20kW and 50Nm over its predecessor.

This endows the new 1880kg E63 S 4Matic+ with a weight-to-power ratio of 4.2kg per kW.

For the first time, AMG has fitted its 4.0-litre V8 with a pair of new twin-scroll turbocharger for use in the E63 in a move claimed to improve the induction boosting properties, combustion efficiency and further enhance throttle response.

In its most extreme state of tune, as fitted to the E63 S 4Matic+, the new engine develops a specific output of 113kW per litre – some 12.7kW per litre more than the engine powering the M5 Competition Edition and 2kW more than the unit used by the RS7 Performance.

In another new development brought to the E63, the 90-degree powerplant also receives AMG's Cylinder Management, as first introduced on the superseded SLK55, for added fuel savings on part throttle loads. In city driving, four cylinders are deactivated between 1000 and 3250rpm when the engine is switched to comfort mode.

As in other recent AMG models, the driver can choose between four driving modes: comfort, sport, sport plus and individual via a Dynamic Select button on the centre console. In comfort mode, a coast function decouples the engine from the gearbox on extended periods of trailing throttle at speeds between 60 and 160km/h for great fuel efficiency. A fifth driving mode, race, is also included on the E63 S 4Matic+.

The new E63's increased reserves are channelled through a new nine-speed Speedshift MCT (Multi Clutch Technology) automatic gearbox featuring a so-called wet start off clutch and steering wheel mounted shift paddles. Further driveline developments include a mechanical differential lock for the E63 4Matic+ and faster acting electronic differential lock on the E63 S 4Matic+.

As their names suggest, both new E63 models will also be sold exclusively with a new engineered AMG Performance 4Matic+ four-wheel drive system offering fully variable distribution of drive between the front and rear wheels for the first time.

Official performance figures supplied by AMG put the 0-100km/h time of the E63 4Matic+ at 3.5sec, with the added 30kW and 100Nm of the E63 S 4Matic+ helping to shave an extra 0.1sec off that mark at just 3.4sec.

By comparison, the rear-wheel drive BMW M5 Competition Edition and four-wheel drive Audi RS7 Performance boast respective 0-100km/h times of 3.9sec and 3.7sec. Meanwhile, the top speed of both new E63 models is limited to 250km/h. As in the past though, buyers can specify an optional AMG Driver's Package that extends their maximum potential to a limited 300km/h.

Despite the adoption of four-wheel drive on both new E63 models, AMG says it has ensured the iconic four-door retains its reputation for promoting oversteer when the conditions allow through the inclusion of a what it calls Drift mode. Activated by the shift paddles, it prompts the four-wheel drive system to deliver drive exclusively to the rear wheels, remaining engaged until the driver deactivates it.

Underpinning the AMG's latest model is a specially tuned version of the sixth-generation E-class's Air Body Control suspension system allied to unique track widths and wheel carriers. Together, they are claimed to provide the new E63 with greater camber control than its predecessor in a move AMG says elevates the car's handling prowess.

Further upgrades are focused at the brake system. It uses cross drilled 360mm steel discs with six pot calipers up front and cross drilled 360mm steel discs with single pot calipers at the rear on the E63 4Matic+, with the E63 S 4Matic+ receiving larger cross drilled 390mm steel discs up front. Optional cross drilled ceramic carbon discs on both models measure 402mm up front and 360mm at the rear.

AMG has provided the new E63 with a comprehensive styling package that not only toughens its appearance but also helps to set it further apart from lesser E-Class models than previous generations of the fast four-door.

Included is a uniquely styled front end featuring an E63 specific grille, front bumper, bonnet and front fenders – the latter housing wheel arches that extend 17mm beyond those of the standard E-Class to house the new car's wider front track and 20-inch wheels shod with 265/35 front and 295/30 tyres (standard on the E63 S 4Matic+ and optional on the E63 4Matic+).

The changes up front are combined with black exterior mirror housings, wider sills, boot deck mounted spoiler, new rear bumper and four traditional trapezoidal shaped tail pipes.

The new E63 will be launched in sedan bodystyle first, with a wagon variant set to be introduced to selected global markets, including Australia, shortly afterwards. Pricing is yet to be announced, although officials suggest it will come at a premium to the outgoing model, which goes for $249,900 (plus on-road costs).


Mercedes-AMG E63 S specifications


Price: From $265,000 (estimate)

On-sale: Mid 2017

Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol

Power: 450kW

Torque: 850Nm

Transmission: Nine-speed automatic, all-wheel drive


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