Seriously capable
The AMG division of Mercedes-Benz is changing. With the incorporation of electric drive for upcoming models, their rip-snorting V8 powerhouses could soon very well be a thing of the past. Therefore, could this E63 S AMG be the swansong of the AMG V8 saloon as we know it?
Well for starters, it certainly has all the toned visual AMG muscles. Large 20-inch twin spoke alloys also house optional carbon ceramic brakes and there are plenty of ducts and intakes to give a very aggressive stance.
The AMG-ness continues inside. AMG embossed leather bucket seats hold you firmly in place and the suede and leather wrapped AMG wheel feels good in your hands. Naturally you get all the fruit you would think of, including the latest generation MBUX system and a barrage of onboard safety features.
On start-up, that twin-turbo 4.0L V8 might be more subdued than its naturally aspirated predecessors, but a few blips of the throttle give you plenty of reassurance that this is an AMG product through and through.
Flick up to Sport Plus, or even Race mode if you dare, and the E63 S is a terrific ground coverer. Keep that angry turbo V8 on song above 3000rpm and you just fly, with that angry bellow from those blasting exhaust tips giving you the best soundtrack.
The Burmester sound system is great, but it will never match the theatre of an AMG V8.
While the ride is certainly more comfortable than I was expecting, you still feel the bumps to some degree and there is a smattering of tyre roar from the Pirelli rubber. Flicking up through those nine forward gears yourself is great but there is a slight delay on the way down. However, once you start to bury the throttle and start to eat up the corners, you forget these things pretty quickly.
The E63 can eat up corners and sports the kind of responses usually reserved for pin-sharp sports cars. In Race mode, the steering weights up beautifully and changing direction is almost telepathic. This is a seriously exciting car to drive hard and yet amazingly docile when you have finished clowning around and just want to cruise home.
The E63 S AMG will set you back $241,400 plus ORC. It certainly isn’t cheap, especially when those optional carbon brakes are $15,900 a pop. However, it still manages to be a seriously capable performance saloon of epic proportions.
If this is end of an era, then the new E63 S AMG is one heck of a final encore.
BEN SAYS:
Likes:
• The sheer delivery of power
• V8 engine note
• Its menacing stance
Dislikes:
• Paddle down-shifting could be more immediate
• The price
• Not much else
AZARIAH SAYS:
Likes:
• Love the V8 noise
• Nice interior
• Looks great
Dislikes:
• A bit of tyre roar
• The front seats weren’t super comfortable
• The ride was a bit firm
Fact file: 2022 Mercedes-Benz E63 S AMG 4MATIC
Price: $241,400 plus ORC
Engine: 4.0L Bi-Turbo V8
Transmission: AMG SPEEDSHIFT 9-Speed Automatic
Drivetrain: 4MATIC All Wheel Drive
Power: 450kW
Torque: 850Nm
0 to 100km/h: 3.4 seconds
Fuel Consumption: 12.3L/100km
Wheels: 20-inch AMG Twin Spoke Alloys
