Mercedes-AMG slashes new E 63 price

Mercedes-AMG has announced Australian pricing for its new E 63 sports sedan and the good news is it will cost at least $40,000 less than before.

That's because both the flagship E 63 S and, for the first time, the standard E 63 will be available here for the first time. The S is available from June, with the standard E 63 following late this year.

The regular E 63 will wear a sticker price of $209,900 plus on-road costs, making it $50,000 pricier than the recently released E 43 4MATIC but significantly cheaper than the old E 63, which was priced just over $250,000.

The top-shelf E 63 S, meantime, will cost $239,000 plus ORCs – more than $10,000 less than its direct predecessor and also less than Audi's bahnstorming RS 6 ($245,116 plus ORCs).

However, the new E 63 is still positioned higher than its arch-rival, BMW's M5, which is currently unavailable in the lead-up to an all-new model late this year, but was last sold at $185,000 for the entry-level M5 Pure and $230,900 for the top-spec M5 Competition.

For the first time in Australia, both E 63 sedans will come standard with all-wheel drive (in this case dubbed 4MATIC+, fitted with Drift Mode function and able to "deliver the driving experience of an exclusively rear-wheel drive") and an AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT nine-speed automatic transmission with wet start-off clutch.

The base E 63 is powered by a 420kW/750Nm version of AMG's 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 and can hit 100km/h in a claimed 3.5 seconds.

The E 63 S ramps that up significantly, to 450kW/850Nm – enough to make it a claimed 0.1sec quicker to 100km/h (3.4sec), yet both models return official average fuel consumption of 9.3L/100km.

With 20kW more power and 50Nm more torque than the car it replaces, the new E 63 S – which at 1955kg weighs 5kg more than the non-S model -- is among the world's most powerful sedans.

Standard on both models is AIR BODY CONTROL air suspension and three-zone THERMOTRONIC automatic climate-control.

The standard E 63 rides on AMG 20-inch five twin-spoke alloy wheels and incorporates AMG's mechanical limited-slip rear differential.

The more expensive E 63 S scores AMG 20-inch cross-spoke forged wheels painted in matt black with high-sheen flange, AMG's electronic LSD, AMG Performance selectable exhaust system, AMG Performance seats, AMG Performance steering wheel in nappa
leather/DINAMICA microfibre, red AMG brake callipers, active dynamic engine mounts, digital TV tuner, nappa leather instrument binnacle and door trims, wireless charging for selected mobile devices and AMG Night Package exterior detailing.

Also available for the E 63 S is the optional Edition 1 package, which for a limited time (and a further $18,900) adds 'designo selenite grey magno' paint, ceramic-composite brakes, AMG side sports decals in matt graphite above the AMG side sill panels, black AMG Exclusive nappa leather seat trim with yellow top-stitching, AMG Performance steering wheel in DINAMICA microfibre with yellow contrasting
Top-stitching, AMG carbon-fibre trim elements and subtle yellow highlights, stitching and edging throughout the cabin.

2017 Mercedes-AMG E 63 pricing (plus ORCs):
E 63 4MATIC+ — $209,900
E 63 S 4MATIC+ — $239,900
E 63 S 4MATIC+ Edition 1 — $258,800