Stricks

The new naturally aspirated AMG E-class gets more horsepower but loses some torque.
With the introduction of the 2007 E63 AMG, the tuning division’s 6.2-liter naturally aspirated V-8 will replace the supercharged V-8 in the now-defunct E55. The new AMG motor has a dramatically different character from the torque monster it replaces. Although it generates 34 more horsepower if you wind it up to 6800 rpm, it has only 465 pound-feet of torque — that’s down 51 compared to the previous engine. More telling is that the E55 delivered 516 pound-feet from a low 2650 rpm, but the E63 doesn’t hit its torque peak until 5200 rpm. It’s destined to be a screamer. (C/D April 2006)

KenE55

I suddenly feel even better about buying my 2006 E55. I had waited for years to replace my 2002 thinking I would want to skip a generation. I suddenly changed my mind on impulse, realizing that I LOVE TORQUE!

Now I'm glad I got one of the last of the great E55's.

And, in case anyone is wondering, my 2006 at least has been absolutely perfect, no problems. I think they perfected it right before it was retired!

Ken

BMWEATR

I'll be waiting ti'l 09 for new generaton screw the new motor.

xraymd

Only 465 lb-ft

dragonAMG

I'm with you.... why give up over 50 ft. lbs of torque for a messely 40 hp? And we all know that it's not even a true net difference of 40 hp... more like maybe 10 being that the E55 puts down just as much hp as the SL55. Like another poster said, peak torque doesn't come into play until 5800 rpm.

medici78

Don't forget the new car will have a 7-speed auto to compensate. The gearing goes a long way to keeping the engine in the torque peak. That said, the E55 has such a flat torque curve already to deem that unnecessary.

BoBcanada

But guys dont you think if they fit new e63 with ABC suspension it will be much better at track, no heating problems, no supercharger shut off, it has some advantages. But still i cant wait for E63 tiwn turbo!

Jakpro1

Starting to think that is where I am headed. Just keeping the torque monster until the twin or single turbo of life goes out in 2008. I will get killed in price drop but who cares. Torque rocks. Just don't get it.....Benz could have just kept the mind boggling HP lead going if they just made a smooth transition from Blower to Turb. Instead you are gonna have the E63 just about dead even with new Audis, the M5 and even the new Caddys and other American models. Not asking for 700hp although it would have been nice. Just a turbie running in the mid to high 500 range with that famous forced induction torque. Then we Kleemann the thing and put out 600+. We all would have had a party and purchased like no tomorrow...instead this doubt and concern. This sum beeotch better handle like an F1 car......or at least like the CLS. Seems like all the focus is on the CLS now anyway.....it's like we are ugly red headed etc.....

Turtle25

My guess is that MB no longer wanted just an HP lead. I sense that they want to build cars that can perform in more than a straight line. Perhaps they'll keep the torque-monster cruisers for the flagship lines, and develop the mid-range performance models using new engine technology, new transmission technology, new suspension technology, etc. They want to move ahead, and I really do think the E63 will be a better car, overall, for it.

cte430

As Jackpro said, it better handle like an F1 car. I doubt it though. I just don't see MB going in that direction, plus everything I've read about the new 63 has to do with the enigne. I've read nothing about any changes/improvements to the handling/feel of the car.

traumadoc

I have a CLS55 and it will be a 1 year run. The 07 will be a 63. I bought it knowing all this but really wanted the torque and the s/c. Hope it's not a pink elephant.

TopGun32

465 lbs is still sufficient to keep the M5, Audi S6 v10, STS-V, down...

not enough to keep existing 55k owners happy, but enough to take the crown back in straightline performance.

The E will never perform like a 5 series, but the CLS63 is there to take on that fight.

The 7sp will more than compensate for the lower torque figure. How much?? we will find out soon...


I agree, I prefer to have a boosted engine just becuase I get tired of being stock.

CynCarvin32

Well if amg indeed has put ABC into the CLK63 like their web page says you can bet that the new reviesed W211's will have ABC as well.

In that case I would likely sell the E55 buy a 63 even if it were slower. ABC is night and day better than even the best set AirMatic.

But I still cant imagine that happens. But im crossing my fingers.

Stricks

Can anyone even start to imagine what the "tuners" are planning for that powerplant? IMO they have an open canvas to do their work.

vixapphire

hooray... in an age of $3.00+++/gallon gas prices here in the US, all we need is a higher-revving drivetrain that'll burn more fuel!

bollocks. the '55 kompressor is the last of the greats. until the next great, that is.

CLS_AMG

3.00 a gallon is cheap compared to the rest of the world.

Grumpy666

Don't expect too much - maybe a cold-air box, larger TB, ECU programming, and headers. Might be worth about 50 HP combined. Remember, this is a high-compression, variable-valve-timing, highly-tuned engine from the factory. They're not going to leave much low-hanging fruit like they did with the 55K engine. For significant increases, you'll have to go into the engine - and that will be über-expensive.

Fast55

Agreed. Already "tweeked" to the point that forced induction is out without lower compression pistons or very low boost, and spinning a motor that size much faster ain't happenin' either.

Brav

They dont need more power. they need less weight and better suspension. Looks like suspension will improve, weight negligable.

Every dept wins, accel, handling, mileage, etc when you drop weight. That will be the next direction since adding more and more HP between all the major car MFGs will be pointless. Hopefully someone realizes this.

terrence

I decided to buy a 2006 E55 after pondering the numbers of the E63. I am glad I did. The tunability of the 55 engine plus the inherent characteristics of that engine appeals to me as a daily driver far more than the E63. I don't need another high revving 500 hp engine. Had the M5 and it wasn't for me, so I sold it. With the M5, my tank lasts 160 miles city drtiving. With my E55 with K1, my tank (albeit a slightly larger one) goes over 300 miles almost all city driving. The thrust is incredible with the K1 and mixed octane gas.

Turtle25

I think the 6.2 will use less fuel than the S/C 5.4. Supercharged engines are notoriously thirsty. But definitely the 6.2 is lighter (really! weight-wise, the super is like strapping a lead block to the top of it). So those aren't really valid concerns.

PC Valkyrie

Here are a couple of thoughts (from a C55 owner) about the upcoming E63 with regards to its performance potential. I view this upcoming "facelift" of the MY2007 W211 E-class to be analogous to the "facelift" of the W203 C-class which occurred for MY2005. At that time, the C32 was discontinued and the C55 was introduced as the AMG version to coincide with the facelift.

In 2005, the 4 year old C-class had its midlife facelift. Yes, there were some minor cosmetic changes to the exterior, and some major changes to the interior. But the biggest change which occurred from a performance point of view was the revision of the steering, suspension, and chassis components. MB called this package of changes "DIRECT CONTROL". Compared to the C32, the C55 got a 7% quicker steering ratio (2.8 turns lock to lock), 20% stiffer springs, harder gas shock absorbers, a revised ESP system which will mimic a mechanical LSD, and a front track which is 14mm wider than before. Yes, the naturally aspirated C55 has higher HP and torque numbers than the C32, but there was only a marginal difference in straightline acceleration. The biggest change was the HANDLING improvement that the C55 had over the C32. Objectively, the C55's handling numbers improved in all aspects compared to the C32 (slalom speeds, skidpad g's, and lap times around a track like the Nurburgring). Yes, the cost of all this improved handling was a harsher ride, but it was still slightly more comfortable than the M3.

I'm writing all this because I think MB will likely make the E63 handle much better than the outgoing E55. Like the C55/C32 comparision, my suspicion is that the E63's straightline acceleration will only be marginally better than the E55's. As cyncarvin32 had said earlier, I think it is very likely that the E63 will get active body control (ABC) like the upcoming CLK63. Even if it doesn't, it is already confirmed that all facelifted E-class models will get "DIRECT CONTROL" upgrades in suspension and a quicker steering ratio (by 10%). If these modifications work as well as they did in the C55, the E63 may be quite a better handling car than the E55 (although I suspect it still won't quite be as good as the M5).

And about fuel consumption. I'm pretty sure that the E63 will be more thirsty than the E55. On the international AMG website, the CLK63 numbers are already all published. The lighter CLK63 consumes more fuel than the heavier E55.

GTA7.5

The CLK63 has ABC suspension?! where did you here this!


If the CLK63 has it than the E63 should have it as well.

RJC

I will be using the E55 (if it ever gets out of VPC ) for street use only, just like most AMG owners (aside for the majority here LOL) I'll be driving the car to and from the office, for nights out and the occassional light to light or high speed highway blast. The current E55 has all I need and then some. The 63 will be great I'm sure, but I'm taking advatage of the current deals now (I'm sure the 63 will have dealers ready to charge mark-up's over msrp and or waiting lists etc) and will look into the all new rebodied E in 2008 or when ever it comes out.

JohnAMG

The differences between the W210 E55 and the W211 E55 are dramatic and this is why I just got one even though I knew the E63 is out soon. The E63 will be marginally better but not dramatic enough for the extra money over the outgoing E55. I am afraid the E63 will probably hit the $100K price tag when it arrives.

John