Brazenly brutish and beguilingly brisk Benz blurs boundaries

A brazenly brutish and beguilingly brisk Benz, the E63 AMG S-Model 4Matic re-draws the boundaries of the super saloon. Powered by the more powerful 577BHP version of Mercedes-Benz’ AMG performance arm’s 5-litre twin-turbo V8 engine and channelled through four-wheel-drive traction, the E63 AMG S-Model 4Matic is a luxury executive saloon, whose astonishing 3.6-second 0-100km/h acceleration belies its size, weight, and delves into bona fide contemporary supercar territory. What’s more is that the E63 is an un-apologetic saloon that doesn’t sacrifices space for a stylishly rakish roofline, and is probably the most spacious and traditional three-box saloon in its class.

Power projection

A car that projects its power and potential, the E63 AMG S-Model 4matic is wide and tall, with a roofline that flows well towards the boot-line, but is a classic saloon that doesn’t muddle the transition. Facelift since last year to better fit in with Mercedes’ current design language as exemplified by the C- and S-Class saloons, the E-Class had first arrived in 2009 and bridged the transition between the brand’s preceding twin oval saloon headlamps with twin diamond shaped headlamps. Now gone, the twin headlamps have merged into a single unit each side, with LED elements reflecting the pre-facelift design.

An elegant brute with bold creases and upright design, the revised E63 ditches the classic multi-slat Mercedes saloon car grille and bonnet-mounted emblem for a large grille-mounted tri-star with crosshair-like twin slats. More defined and chrome-ringed, the new grille looks snoutier, while re-designed lower intakes are gapingly wide and tall, and more upright and prominent.

With its waistline rising from the headlamp LED strip towards the boot-line and a side crease-line rising from front wheel-arches through the door handles, the E63 has a sense of forward movement. Sporty side skirts, rear spoiler and huge 255/35ZR19 front and 285/30ZR19 rear footwear complement its muscular presence.

Benz bullet

The more powerful E63 AMG variant, the S-Model features 28BHP power hike over the already brutally powerful standard model, and standard 4Matic four-wheel-drive to channel it immense 577BHP delivered at 5,500rpm, and 590lb/ft available throughout a broad 2,000-4,500rpm mid-range.

Blisteringly quick, the S-Model leaps off the line after a brief moment of turbo lag, and with its four wheels clenching the tarmac tight and its twin chargers primed, blasts down the drag strip at an astonishing rate, as tested at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi. Defying its 1,940kg mass, the S-Model hits 100km/h in 3.6-seconds and is electronically restricted to a confidently attainable 250km/h.

Effortlessly versatile in its abundant mid-range, the S-Model surges through rev range, peak power and towards a 6,400rpm rev limit when driven in its most aggressive Sport+ automatic mode.

Best in Sport+ where gear shifts are 25 per cent are quicker and one avoids hitting the rev limiter or up-shifting too early before its’ robust mid-range sweet spot, the S-Model’s 7-speer wet clutch automatic gearbox can, however, be used in a manual mode through the steering-mounted paddle shifters. Allowing one to avoid unwanted kickdowns or up-shifts, manual mode faithfully hold selected gears for more driver involvement, while ignition and injection timing is interrupted for quicker full throttle up-shifts.

Traction action

Fitted with a rear differential lock to help put power down when launching off-the-line and in handling manoeuvres, the E63 S-Model’s four-wheel-drive system is 67 per cent rear-biased in power delivery by default. Such a power distribution delivers a classic front-engine rear-drive feel, balance and driving dynamic, but with the added benefit of all-wheel traction and grip.

Though it adds an extra 95kg over the standard rear-drive E63’s weight, the S-Model’s four-wheel-drive system is key its’ beguiling acceleration time, and makes it a considerably more effective and drivable car on track, where the better distribution of power enables better traction and grip, and less electronic stability control intervention.

Reassuringly stable and confident at high speed as is expected of a German super saloon, the E63 S-Model is also unflappable through fast sweeping corners where its’ four-wheel-drive is aided by a torque vectoring system. 

Accurate and meaty, the E63’s steering is designed for high-speed stability but avails itself well through corners, where it turns-in tidily. With its’ adaptive damping and rear air suspension working hard to suppress body roll in its firmest Sport+ setting, the S-Model’s front wheels help pull it out of a corner as the rear wheels dig in and unleash their power. The result is less electronic intervention and power cuts better driving flow.

Sporty and spacious

Not a car that hides its weight, the E63 S-Model, however, well manages its immense power and torque, and substantial 1,940kg weight. This is most evident through tight and quick slalom courses, where one feels the huge sudden weight transfers, but its four-wheel-drive, adaptive suspension and electronic assistance and management systems keep it weaving faithfully through the switchbacks.

Benefiting from big and effective disc brakes, the S-Model can also be optioned with ceramic discs, which with their enhanced fade resistance, would be of particular use if one intends to regularly drive hard on track.

Classy and refined inside, the E63 S-Model is a spacious and elegantly sports saloon, with an ergonomic and smartly business-like cabin. Perhaps the most spacious car in its class, the E63 is a dedicated and luxurious saloon. Highly adjustable, comfortable and supportive front seats are matched by ample rear space, where tall and large occupants are well catered for.

With clear instrumentation, stitched leather flat-bottom steering wheel and carbon-fibre accents, the sporty E63 also features extensive standard and optional mod cons, and safety and infotainment systems, including various semi-automated and radar-based features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance, among much more.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 5.5-litre, twin turbo V8-cylinders

Bore x stroke: 98 x 90.5mm

Compression ratio: 10:1

Valve-train: 32-valve, direct injection, variable timing

Gearbox: 7-speed wet-clutch automatic

Ratios: 1st 4.38; 2nd 2.86; 3rd 1.92; 4th 1.37; 5th 1.0; 6th 0.82; 7th 0.73

Final drive: 2.65

Drive-train: four-wheel-drive, differential lock

Power distribution, F/R: 33 per cent/67 per cent

0-100 km/h: 3.6-seconds

Maximum speed: 250km/h (electronically governed)

Power, BHP (PS) [kW]: 577 (585) [430] @5,500rpm

Specific power: 105.7BHP/litre

Power-to-weight: 297.4BHP/tonne

Torque, lb/ft (Nm): 590 (800) @2,000-4,500rpm

Specific torque: 146.5Nm/litre

Torque-to-weight: 412.3Nm/tonne

Rev limit: 6,400rpm

Fuel consumption, urban/extra-urban/combined: 14.4-/7.9-/10.3-litres/100km

CO2 emissions, combined: 242g/km

Fuel tank capacity: 66-litres

Length: 4,900mm

Width: 1,873mm

Height: 1,466mm

Wheelbase: 2,874mm

Track width, F/R: 1,625/1,579mm

Luggage volume: 540-litres

Kerb weight: 1,940kg

Steering: Variable assistance, rack and pinion

Turning circle: 11.75-metres

Suspension, F/R: Multi-link/multi-link, air springs

Brakes: Ventilated & perforated discs

Tyres, F/R: 255/35ZR19/285/30ZR19