DETROIT MOTOR SHOW: Benz lays new-look E 63 AMGs bare

Mercedes-Benz has upped the ante of its already-potent E63 AMG to a staggering 430kW of power and no less than 800Nm of torque – enough to propel the large executive sedan to 100km/h a peerless 3.6 seconds.

The ballistic acceleration figure applies to a new high-performance ‘S-Model’ variant of the facelifted E 63 AMG sedan and wagon, both of which will make their global public debuts alongside the new-look E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet at the Detroit motor show next week, before going on sale in Australia in September.

But while the 2013 E 63 AMG S-Model sedan is claimed to be quicker than even Porsche’s outgoing 911 Turbo super-coupe, even the S-Model E 63 Estate and both standard sedan and wagon versions of the upgraded E 63 are now quicker than their most direct rivals.

The most basic E 63’s 5.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 has been uprated from 386kW/700Nm to 410kW at 5500rpm and 720Nm between 1750 and 5250rpm – enough to accelerate the sedan to 100km/h in a claimed 4.2 seconds, which is one-tenth quicker than before.

Coincidentally, the latest E 63 is also 0.1 seconds quicker to 100km/h than its most direct rival in BMW’s M5, which employs a slightly more powerful but less torquey 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 (412kW/680Nm) to sprint to 100km/h in 4.3 seconds.

However, in its most basic form, the upgraded E 63 still doesn’t match the 0-100km/h pace of Audi’s upcoming RS6 Avant and RS7 Sportback, both of which pack a 412kW/750Nm 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 to crack 100km/h in just 3.9 seconds.

Either way, despite its extra performance Mercedes-AMG continues to claim its 5.5-litre V8 is the world’s most efficient production V8, with combined fuel consumption of just 9.8L/100km – the same as the RS6 and 100ml per 100km less than the M5 (9.9L/100km).

But unlike the 305km/h RS6, which is billed as the world’s fastest wagon, all E 63s are electronically speed-limited to 250km/h.

On top of all this, the new-look E 63 sedan and wagon – standard versions of which hit European dealerships in April - are available for the first time with Mercedes’ multi-plate clutch-operated 4-MATIC all-wheel drive system, which hits Euro showrooms in June.

The AMG-fettled “performance-oriented” AWD system, which directs 67 per cent of engine torque to the rear wheels in normal conditions, adds 70kg but lowers claimed 0-100km/h acceleration to a 911 Turbo-matching 3.7 seconds (3.8 for the wagon) at the expense of greater fuel consumption 10.3L/100km (Estate: 10.5L/100km).

The 4MATIC system comes standard on the E63 AMG S-Models, which deliver a cracking 430kW/800Nm at the same revs and consume fuel at the same rate as the standard E 63 4MATIC AMGs and lower 0-100km/h acceleration a further tenth of a second, to 3.6 seconds (sedan) and 3.7 seconds (wagon).

Mercedes-AMG says the 20kW peak power increase over the AMG Performance package, which was an option on the outgoing E 63, comes courtesy of increased boost pressure (from 0.9 to 1.1 bar), while standard E63 outputs increase by 24kW and 20Nm.

It said the same engine upgrades and performance 4MATIC system will be fitted to the CLS 63 Coupe and Shooting Brake, while the compact A 45 AMG hot-hatch and CLA 45 AMG sports sedan will again break AMG tradition by emerging with 4MATIC AWD later this year.

The bad news is the 4MATIC E 63s have only been engineered for left-hand drive markets including Europe, the US and China, meaning the all-wheel drive E 63 and E 63 S-Model will not be available in Australia.

“These high power and torque ratings are exclusive to AMG,” said AMG R&D chief Tobias Moers. “Our AMG 5.5-litre V8 engine remains the most efficient series production V8 engine in the world. The newly developed, performance-oriented AMG 4MATIC all-wheel drive attains the best acceleration values in the segment, as well as offering our customers markedly higher driving dynamics than ever before.”

As seen in a teaser image earlier this week, the upgraded E 63 also offer more visual aggression via a new ‘twin blade’ grille and distinctive ‘A-win’ in the front bumper spoiler.

AMG says that apart from more performance and improved dynamics, all E63s will offer more standard equipment and better value for money. As with facelifted versions of the standard E-Class due on sale here soon, motoring expects the AMG versions to be priced lower than the outgoing E 63 line-up, which currently starts at $240,485.

While the 2013 E 63s continue to come standard with a four-mode AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT seven-speed automatic transmission and meet strict Euro 6 emissions standards due in force in 2015, other fuel-saving measures include a standard idle-stop function

All E 63s will also come standard with AMD RIDE CONTROL, a 48mm-wider front wheel track, more direct 14:1 ratio for the electromechanical AMG speed-sensitive steering system, increased negative camber on both axles and 10-spoke titanium-grey alloy wheels measuring 18x9.0 inches up front and 18x9.5-inch at the rear (19-inch for 4MATIC and S-Model variants).

Other standard E 63 equipment includes AMG door entry sills, brushed stainless steel AMG sports pedals, ATTENTION ASSIST, COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST, LED headlights and metallic paint.

Optional equipment will include 360mm ceramic brake discs at all four corners with six-piston callipers up front (painted red on S-Models, which can also be had with massive 402mm rotors), two exterior AMG Carbon Fibre packages, an AMG Night package, AMG carbon-fibre engine cover, AMG five-spoke forged wheels, AMG trim in carbon fibre/piano lacquer, designo roof lining, designo trim and a 1200-Watt 14-speaker Bang&Olufsen BeoSound surround sound system.

“Driving performance encapsulates the philosophy pursued at Mercedes-AMG,” said company chairman Ola Källenius. “The new model variants of the E 63 AMG and CLS 63 AMG clearly demonstrate how we are now offering our customers even more individuality.

“The S-Models in particular represent the most attractive proposition in the segment, boasting substantially enhanced value for money: the highest power and torque ratings in the segment, the new performance-oriented AMG 4MATIC all-wheel drive, the new design and substantially more standard equipment and appointments are the outstanding strengths of the new high-performance automobiles from Affalterbach. With the new all-wheel-drive S-Models we will reach new customers and markets.”

Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site…