AMG promises big leap for E 63

Stand by for the most radical Mercedes-AMG E63 ever.

Set for its global reveal towards the end of 2016, months after the W213 E-class it is based on breaks cover at the Detroit auto show, the new E 63 will feature a further developed version of AMG's 4.0-litre twin turbo V8 engine producing around 450kW. The engine will drive through the first nine-speed AMG Speedshift MCT gearshift and the E 63 will also debut a bespoke AMG-developed all-wheel drive system.

And the good news is that the rear-biased all-wheel drive system will be adapted for right-hand drive, unlike the current 4Matic set-up used by the 5.5-litre biturbo W212 E 63.

The bad news is that rear-wheel drive could well be banished from the E 63 line-up altogether, leaving the freshly-launched C 63 as Mercedes-AMG's cheapest RWD model.

Oh, and the price tag will undoubtedly be north of $250,000.

"The next generation of E-Class will be the biggest step we have ever made regarding driving dynamics and everything," promised Mercedes-AMG chairman Tobias Moers.

"It's really the biggest step we have ever made with the E-Class from one generation to the next generation."

The current E 63's M157 engine pumps out 430kW and 800Nm and mates with AMG's unique seven-speed Speedshift MCT gearbox, which features a clutch pack rather than a torque converter. That makes the transmission exceptional in production passenger cars, since a clutch pack is usually found in a manual gearbox. The new nine-speed is expected to feature a development of the same tech and will make its global debut with E 63.

Mercedes-AMG expects the new car will top the current figure with an estimate 450kW and is rated to run from 0-400m in a sensational 3.5 secs. That engine spec is also tipped to makes its way into the dry sump M178 in the GT and the more conventional M177 in the C 63 S range, both of which make 375kW.

"The E 63 is 585 horsepower as of today, which is 430kW. So it will be mandatory to have (a power increase) in the next generation," explained Moers.

"My clear intention is not to raise the horsepower level in the E-class segment ... I don't like horsepower wars. I think it is more important to have an overall package in place that is fast on a racetrack and makes fun every day driving."

Despite his protestations, a 450kW E-Class would still comfortably top an Audi RS6 or BMW M5 in outputs.

While reticent to confirm details about the performance enhancements developed to replace 4Matic, Moers confirmed the replacement for 4Matic would be rear-wheel drive biased and be mated with the new AMG-specific rear axle that debuts with the C 63 Coupe.

"We are working on a dedicated four-wheel drive system for AMG, which is different from the 4WD system we use today," he said. "With the E 63 to be honest there will be right-hand drive and all-wheel drive as well."

With the combination of right-hand drive and all-wheel drive confirmed, the big question for Australians is whether there will be a rear-wheel drive choice as well.

"That's not finally decided," Moers said. "In the markets where we provide both variants we have a take-up rate of 90 per cent all-wheel drive.

"And what is quite sure about it is if we move to standard all-wheel drive it's going to be an AMG newly engineered 4WD system and you can do all the stupid things you can do with the rear-wheel drive car. Going sideways and things like that."