Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG gains 4Matic grip, still barking mad

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 06:01:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Sedan, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

Ladies and gentlemen, allow us to introduce the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG 4Matic in both sedan and wagon variants. It's best to get right to business, that being the numbers produced by the twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V8 located in the engine bay of one of the fastest sedans in the world. The 'base' model gets a boost of 32 horsepower and 15 pound-feet of torque for a final output of 550 hp and 531 lb-ft. A high performance S-Model - the US-market wagon will only be an S-Model - gets even more besides, putting out 577 hp and 590 lb-ft.

The standard sedan gets from 0-to-60 miles per hour in 3.6 seconds, the S-Model sedan taking a tenth off.

All that power gets to the ground through the AMG Speedshift MCT dual-clutch transmission with Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Manual modes. The juice is then routed through the permanent "performance-oriented" all-wheel drive signified by the 4Matic moniker, which is biased 33/67 front-to-rear. The AWD system adds just 154 pounds to the car's weight.

Not that you'd know it, nor mind. Put to use, the standard sedan gets from 0-to-60 miles per hour in 3.6 seconds, the S-Model sedan taking a tenth off that time, the S-Model wagon matching it at 3.6 seconds. Top speed for the 550-hp sedan is an electronically-limited 155 mph, while the AMG Performance Package boosts that to an electronically-limited 186 mph. All models come with the AMG adaptive sports suspension - steel in front, air suspension in back - and electronically controlled damping and Torque Vectoring Brake system, the S-Model also gets a limited-slip rear differential.

Turning to other visceral matters, the new front face features all-LED headlights flanking the AMG twin-blade grille, those placed above the "A-wing" design element forming the lower intakes. The standard model rides on 10-spoke, 19-inch titanium gray alloys, the S-Model getting high-sheen rim flanges to set it apart. Other ways to tell the models with the extra power are their red brake calipers, high-gloss treatment on the A-wing and "S" badge on the trunk. Inside, one finds a black interior set off by contrasting gray stitching throughout, silver seat belts, flat-topped and flat-bottomed Nappa leather steering wheel with Alcantara inserts, and a 1,200-watt, 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo.

We'll have more on it from the floor of the Detroit Auto Show. For now, amuse yourself with the detailed press release below and the high-res galleries of the E-Class AMG in its two flavors.

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