Seemingly oblivious to the current financial pickle, Merc’s AMG department has just wheeled out their new E63 – a German super saloon that’s traded its sauerkraut for steroids. Powered by a particularly insane V8 engine, this high-revving bahn-buster has a lot to prove and hopes to challenge the might of Jaguar’s radical XFR, Audi’s S6 and BMW’s M5. Recently unleashed at Kyalami, I got an opportunity to thrash it around the track and – after cooking some rubber – left suitably impressed.

Devil in the details

Being a luxury sedan targeted at well-moneyed business tycoons, the Mercedes E63 AMG is consequently most subtle about showing off its impressive performance credentials. However, based on the current four-door E-Class launched just a few months ago, this latest AMG product is still immediately identifiable from its gaping new front apron with exaggerated cooling ducts, single strip LED daytime running lights and tinted headlamps. The front wings, already 17-millimetres wider than those on the garden variety E-Class, also sport chrome “6.3 AMG” badges that alert potential traffic-light challengers to the powerful engine lurking beneath the bonnet. Move rumpwards and you’ll notice that the rear bumper has been fitted with a special black air diffuser that, besides improving aerodynamics, heightens the impact of those four chrome AMG tailpipes responsible for blasting out that awesome V8 soundtrack.
Riding atop standard 18-inch light alloy wheels, the E63 AMG can be pimped up with a larger set of 19-inchers that help make the whole car look considerably meaner and more purposeful – definitely worth the extra financial outlay. On the whole then, this daddy of the E-Class range does a great job at translating its sporty nature through the crimps and creases of its sheet metal. It might be understated, a bit of a Q-car, but that, in my opinion, is the only way to go. After all, let’s leave all the brash go-faster bits to the likes of Subaru.

A high-performance interior

Like its exterior, the reworked innards of the E63 AMG manage to strike a near perfect balance between luxury and sportiness. The model I drove was decked out with black leather upholstery; a shade that really brings out the cool steel finishes applied to objects like the main instrument cluster, centre console and most of the switchgear. To further distinguish itself from lesser E-Class brethrens, Merc’s designers have also given the E63 a pair of grippy electronically operated front sports seats (for optimized lateral support through corners) and a smaller four-spoke AMG steering wheel that, besides holding satellite controls for things like the onboard computer and sound system, is also home to the aluminium paddle shifters.

But the coolest part of the new E63’s interior has to be the AMG Drive Unit nestling between the two front seats. Comprising of one rotational knob and three push buttons, this unit allows you to tweak this Merc’s MCT 7-speed sports transmission, the ESP functions, the suspension set-up and the individual AMG drive modes to suit your current driving style at any given moment. Apart from that it’s typical E-Class fare, which means despite not being as ergonomically sorted as its rivals – that centre console is rather cluttered – you get phenomenal levels of build quality and Merc’s excellent COMAND interface for manipulating hi-tech gadgetry like the satellite navigation.

With teeth

Bolted between the two front wheels of the E63 AMG is the award-winning 6 208cc V8 engine that fires out 386 kilowatts of power and 630 Nm of tar-rippling torque. Matching those of the SL63 AMG, these outputs will see the E63 reach a limited top speed of 250km/h (300km/h with the optional AMG driver’s package) and sprint from 0-100km/h in exactly 4.5-seconds. Perfectly suited to a morning out at the track, this V8 shot the E63 around Kyalami and a serious pace and responded eagerly to every prod of the accelerator pedal. It also rasped out one hell of an exhaust note; a bass-rich wail that encourages you to chase the redline in every single gear. Oddly enough, however, the engine’s safety mode decided to kick in during my first test session and I had to cruise back to the pits with my power levels nearly halved. Luckily this seemed to be a fleeting gremlin in the system as my second stint around the circuit went down without a hitch.

To deal with this motor’s brutal torque the new E63 AMG comes equipped with a trick MCT 7-speed sports transmission that, trading the previous unit’s torque converter for a wet start-up clutch running in an oil bath, proved to be extremely rapid it the way it snicked between cogs. And even though it features three unique automatic modes – C (Controlled Efficiency), S (Sport) and S+ (Sport Plus) – I must admit that I did most of my laps in the more visceral Manual mode that takes the shift times down to an incredible 100 milliseconds. Even more impressive, however, is this gearbox’s launch control function. Known as Race Start in Mercedes speak, it allows you to launch the E63 – only in S+ mode and only once the oil temperature is above 82-degrees – off the line with maximum efficiency.

King coils

Unlike other E-Class Mercs, the E63 features steel spring struts on the front axle and fancier AMG-specific air springs at the rear. Now although this may seem like an odd pairing it actually allows the E63 to achieve a nice balance between ride comfort and sharp, nimble handling. Out on the track it worked really well and, set in Sport plus mode (you can also toggle between Sport and Comfort) the big Mercedes carved its way through some of the hairiest bends – Leeukop and Sunset – with plenty of poise and very little bodyroll. Part of this is thanks to the afore mentioned air dampening at the rear that – fitted with an automatic level control system – helps keep the car flat and stable even when you’re driving on the very limits of traction.

Helping to prevent any costly excursions into roadside foliage is Merc’s newly developed ESP system that, forming part of the AMG Drive Unit, features three unique modes, namely ESP On, ESP Sport and ESP Off. The latter is strictly for track use and even then it takes a considerable amount of concentration to not flambé those rear tyres around every corner. ESP Sport, on the other hand, provides just the right amount of play while keeping the car securely in check should you happen to run out of talent. Capable of such extreme momentum, the E63 obviously comes endowed with some serious stopping equipment; 360mm ventilated discs occupy each of its four corners. Hooked up to six-piston calipers in the front and four-piston calipers at the rear, this purpose-built braking system allows for the sort of fade-free bite that gives you absolute peace of mind during bouts of high-performance driving.

Speed racer

Though not conceived to be a balls-to-the-wall track car, the Mercedes-Benz E63 did a fine job of firing around the Kyalami circuit. Switched to its safe everyday settings it did seem a little soft around the edges at first but as soon as I played around with the AMG Drive Unit, this machine immediately felt sharper and way more involving to drive. Staggeringly rapid down the straights, the E63 also throws out an awesome exhaust note; one that really adds to the whole AMG experience and constantly reminds you that you’re behind the wheel of something special. Backed up with sharp handling and excellent levels of build quality, this powerful executive saloon is perfect for those looking for status, comfort and sort of performance that’ll give even some of the most-endowed supercars a run for their pedigreed money. Although, priced at R1 150 000, the E63 AMG is more expensive than both the BMW M5 (R1 036 00) and the Jaguar XFR (R955 000). However, benefiting from one of the highest power and torque ratings in its class – only the R 1 094 500 Audi RS6 is capable of trumping it – you can almost forgive this Mercedes for carrying such a premium.

Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Fast Facts:

Engine: 6208cc normally aspirated 90o V8 petrol
Power: 386kW at 6800rpm
Torque: 630Nm at 5200rpm
0-100km/h: 4.5 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 250km/h (limited)
Fuel Consumption: 12.6l/100km (NEDC combined consumption)
Price: From R1 150 000

Now available from Mercedes-Benz dealerships around the country, the E63 AMG comes standard with the Mercedes-Benz MobiloDrive 120 maintenance plan – 120 000 km or six-years – together with a two-year full vehicle warranty.

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