LA MOTOR SHOW: All-paw AMG E 63 unveiled

"The most powerful E-Class of all time".

That's the claim Mercedes-AMG is making for its latest sports sedan, the third generation E 63, which has been revealed ahead of its global launch at next month's Los Angeles motor show.

And the numbers certainly back up the boast.

The headline act in the range is the all-wheel drive E 63 S 4MATIC+, which should be on sale in Australia early in the third quarter of 2017 with an asking price not too far north of the $250,000 commanded by its predecessor.

For that large pile of cash you get a massive output (450kW and 850Nm) delivered from the twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 M177 engine and 0-100km/h acceleration in just 3.4 seconds.

Just to give those numbers some context; that's 75kW and 150Nm more than the same engine in the C 63 S, while not even the hellacious Mercedes-AMG GT R with its dry-sump M178 engine matches those figures, although it does have a higher top speed than the E 63 at 318km/h compared to 250km/h (or 300km/h if you option the AMG Driver's Package).

The M177's new performance standard is aided by the upgrade from single to twin-scroll turbochargers, new pistons, optimised air intake and charge-air cooling and software development described as "extensive" by AMG.

But stonking acceleration is not the E 63 powertrain's only trick. Now matched with a nine-speed version of the AMG Speedshift transmission – which employs a weight-saving start-off wet clutch rather than a torque converter – and aided by cylinder deactivation (a first for this engine), the engine's fuel consumption claim in Europe is in the 8.9-9.2L/100km range.

Backing up the S is the 'standard' E 63 4MATIC+, which we are not expecting to come to Australia, but which makes 420kW and 750Nm and accelerates from 0-100km/h in 3.5 sec.

That is still faster than the GT R, but those outputs don't outdo the old E 63 S, which made 430kW and 800Nm from its 5.5-litre turbocharged V8. The soon-to-be superseded BMW M5 is also in the fight, at least when it comes to kilowatts, managing 423kW and 680Nm.

It's not only under the bonnet where the E 63 is significantly different, as it is now AWD across the range. Previously Australia was one of the few markets that stuck exclusively with rear-wheel drive. AMG 4MATIC+ is a newly engineered all-wheel drive system that includes fully variable torque distribution, front to rear, for the first time.

RWD tragics should not feel left out, as selecting 'Race' in the four-mode AMG Dynamic Select program of the E 63 S decouples front-wheel drive and allows what AMG calls 'drift mode'. So you can still have two turning and two burning if that's your thing.

AMG Dynamic Select also retunes the response of engine, transmission, suspension, steering and stability control. Independent tuning of the suspension and transmission to manual mode is also offered. Launch control via 'Racestart' continues, although it has been simplified to only require the left foot on the brake and the right foot flat on the throttle to activate.

The chassis of the E 63 has been tuned around multi-chamber Air Body Control air suspension, while both the four-link front and multi-link rear-end are specific to this model and include wider tracks than the standard E-class. A new mount for the rear differential improves NVH and the lighter, tubular anti-roll bar is inspired by the GT R.

The rear limited-slip diff in the E 63 has a mechanical lock, while the E 63 S has an electronically-controlled lock. Dynamic engine mounts for the E 63 S are intended to provide more comfort when cruising, and better rigidity for sports driving.

Both E 63s have rack and pinion steering with electromechanical speed-sensitive assistance. Braking is via a choice of 360mm (E 63) or 390mm (E 63 S) front vented and perforated discs working with six-pot callipers. Carbon-fibre discs are optional.

The E 63 comes with 19-inch wheels and tyres while the E 63 S rolls on staggered 20-inch wheels.

Compared to the standard W213 E-Class, exterior design has been most noticeably reworked forward of the A-pillar, including 17mm wider wheel-arches to accommodate the wider track and enlarged inlets to improve cooling.