AMG E 63 S: For the Businessman, For the Hooligan
All About What’s Under the Hood
But that’s all just trivia. This car is really all about what lurks under the hood. The handmade double-twin-scroll turbocharged 3982 cc die-cast alloy block and head V8 E 63 S churns out 603 hp between 5,750 and 6,500 rpm. Aided and abetted by 627 lb.-ft of twist between 2,500 and 4,500 rpm.
It’s good for a claimed 3.3 second 60 mph trot and a massive 185 mph. E 63 S perhaps unsurprisingly obliterated those claims in our tests. It oh-so-nearly broke 3 seconds to 60 and ran an 11-second quarter-mile. Man, that’s fast! It’s ever so slightly off its arch enemy BMW M5 Competition. It managed 2.86 seconds to 60 and an eleven-dead quarter-mile at 129 mph on our strip though. But that’s too close to mention.
E 63 S turns all four wheels (most of the time) through its AMG Speedshift MCT 9-speed automatic. The ‘box boasts short shift times and fast multiple downshifts, while a double de-clutching function adds an emotive gear shifting experience. It even makes pops and bangs in the louder bareback mode.
Delectable Five-spoke Forged Alloy Wheels
Talking wheels, those 20-inch AMG twin five-spoke forged alloys are delectable. Fine, 9.5J by 20 rims in 295/30 ZR 20 rear summertime high-performance Pirelli P-Zeros frame internally ventilated and perforated compound 360 x 36 mm brake discs with fire engine red six-piston fixed calipers up front. And 10J by 20 wheels wrapped in 265/35 ZR 20s house 402 x 29 mm discs in single-pot floating clamps at the rear. There’s a fresh rear bumper, split tail lamps and a new boot lid, too.
E 63 S has “Slippery,” “Comfort,” “Sport,” “Sport+” Individual and Race driving modes. Add 3-stage ESP; Comfort, Sport and Sport+ for the new three-chamber Adaptive Damping air suspension for an exemplary blend of driving dynamics and ride characteristics. All modes can of course be switched to manual. And then this AMG Performance 4Matic+ AWD now also includes a purely rear-wheel drive Drift Mode like its fierce rival BMW M5. And that’s where the fun really begins!
Not too good for those expensive rear tires, this hooligan bit is hugely entertaining. But forget the tires for a second. Engage your play station mind to help paddle through the complex ritual of finding the correct fully liberated rear-drive only mode. And prepare to play. First be sure that you’re up to it though. Otherwise get someone who can, to take you for that spin.
Bareback E 63 S Outs its True Character
With all the nannies extinguished, the bareback E 63 S outs its true character. Find a little space away from the street and other traffic, add a little talent and it’s an absolute hoot play hooligan to the tune of a screaming biturbo V8. Accompanied by vast plumes of white rubber smoke pouring from tortured, burning rear tires.
Yes, that 625 foot-pounds of twist makes four-wheel drifting is an absolute synch. Not the easiest art to master, too slow and no drift. Too fast and you just spin out! Drifting calls for a delicate balance that will only be mastered by time in the seat. And many tires, too. But if you’re adept at this sort of driving behavior, just thump your right foot to the floor and get on with it! Hell, you can even write your name longhand in skid mark on the tarmac. If you’re brave enough!