Mercedes-AMG reveals updated E 63 S

Friday, 19 June 2020

The refreshed E 63 S is on its way, hitting NZ in sedan form only this time around.

Mercedes has confirmed the existing 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 will remain in play, making 450kW/850Nm. There's no mild hybrid electrification trickery happening here either but fuel consumption still isn't horrible, rated at 11.6L/100km. Sprinting to 100kmh takes 3.4 seconds, a tenth shy of that pesky M5 Competition.

Power is sent to each corner via the AMG Speedshift nine-speed automatic, which has been retuned for quicker shifts and fast multiple downshifts. There's no torque converter here either, with a wet multi-plate start-off clutch replacing.

This is the refreshed E 63 S, coming to New Zealand in sedan form only.

The major changes comprise a new fascia with large side intakes and a narrow third vent running lengthwise behind the number plate. Around back is a larger lip spoiler and quad trapezoid exhaust tips instead of the E 53's ovals.

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Gotta say, Mercedes is absolutely nailing the styling of its new hardware. That looks fantastic.

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The engine is the same as it was before, which means two turbochargers bolted to a 4.0-litre V8 making 450kW/850Nm.

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Other changes mimic the rest of the new E-Class, those being a redesigned nose with a fresh grille and headlights and a new rear end. Standard wheels are 20-inch twin-five spoke units.

AMG says the new E 63 will still be comfy on long journeys despite its immense power, thanks to standard nappa leather seats. AMG Performance seats with integrated head restraints and even better lateral support can also be ordered on request.

MBUX is present and accounted for, the S variant destined for NZ roads getting 12.3-inch screens by default. For the instrument cluster's display, the customer can switch between the three AMG display styles of 'Modern Classic', 'Sport' and 'Supersport'.

The Supersport mode is 'particularly striking' with a central, round rev counter and horizontal displays to the left and right of the rev counter, creating what AMG calls a 'spatial impression of depth.'

A new steering wheel is debuting in the E 63 S, a twin-spoke design. It looks good too, with the horizontal spokes split into two.

Eyeballing it, the new wheel seems to be a bit more compact than the old one, but we'll have to wait and see to be sure. Mercedes will fit the wheel in Dinamica microfibre only or combine it with leather if asked nicely.

Arrivals of the E 63 S Sedan are expected to begin in Q4 of 2020, with price to be announced closer to the time. For reference, the soon-to-be-outgoing E 63 S starts at $236,700 .