Boosted Benz bound for Oz

Mercedes-Benz 's performance arm AMG will soon offer the CLS-sourced 5.5-litre V8 bi-turbo engine in its revised E 63 AMG sedan and estate.

The new powerplant is offered as part of the group's "Performance 2015" model strategy, bringing more performance and increased efficiency to the high-powered range.

In the E 63 AMG, the 5461cc M 157 designated mill delivers peak power output of 386kW/700Nm together with a combined fuel economy figure of just 9.8L/100km (10.0L/100km in Estate), a 22 per cent reduction from its predecessor. CO2 emissions are 230g/km in sedan and 243g in the Estate variant.

Performance figures see the sedan hit triple digits in 4.3 seconds and the Estate in 4.4 seconds. The top speed on all four variants is electronically limited to 250km/h.

Optionally, the AMG Performance package increases the combined output to a blistering 410kW/800Nm for a 0-100km/h sprint of 4.2 seconds in sedan and 4.3 in Estate.

AMG Performance package models also include a model-specific steering wheel in black Alcantara, red painted brake callipers and carbon fibre boot lip spoiler and rear window sunblind on sedan models.

AMG says that significant reductions in efficiency have been made by its newly developed electromechanical speed-sensitive sports steering system which only draws power when required and innovative high-tech engine components including piezo spray-guided direct injection, a full aluminium crankcase, adjustable camshafts, air/water intercooling, generator management and idle stop/start.

Further aiding economy is a seven-speed SPEEDSHIFT automatic transmission, which utilises a wet start-up clutch in place of a conventional torque converter, and brake energy recuperation.

All E 63 AMG models feature wider track RIDE CONTROL sports suspension with automatic level control and three-mode electronically controlled dampers.

AMG-enhanced models are defined 18-inch alloy wheels housing light-weight composite brakes, "V8 BITURBO" lettering on the front guards, AMG body styling and a sports exhaust system with dual chrome-plated twin tailpipes.

Mercedes-Benz Australia senior manager of corporate communications, David McCarthy, told the Carsales Network the revised E 63 AMG will arrive in Australia later this year.

"We will offer the bi-turbo 5.5-litre engine in the E 63 AMG sometime in Q3 this year. As production dates have not yet been set, I can't be more specific," explained McCarthy.

"The price won't change appreciably [from its current position], but as in all our model upgrades we are looking to extend the value and features in this car wherever possible.

"We're looking at the wagon, too. The C 63 AMG Estate has proved very popular, and with E 63 AMG Estate there's certainly enough interest to make it worthwhile, so we're looking at that."

The current 6.2-litre V8-powered E 63 AMG is priced from $238,060

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