http://www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/...MG-5.5/258081/


What is it?
A reworked version of the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG packing, among other upgraded features, a completely new engine, and with it added performance. Out goes the familiar naturally aspirated 6.2-litre V8 engine, in comes the same twin-turbocharged 5.5-litre V8 mill already found in the CLS63, S63 and CL63 AMG.

In standard guise, the blown unit kicks out 517bhp, or the same as the old engine, although peak power is now developed 1550rpm earlier in the rev range at 5250rpm. Torque has risen by over 11 per cent, jumping from an already potent 464lb ft to 516lb ft at just 1700rpm, or 3500rpm earlier than before.

Place a tick in the box marked Performance Package and AMG provides the new E63 AMG with an upgraded engine management system. It introduces an additional 0.3bar of turbocharger boost pressure among other measures in a move that raises output to 549bhp at same 5250rpm, while raising torque a further 74lb ft to 590lb ft at 2000rpm.

What’s it like?
The performance of the new turbocharged engine is clearly more accessible than that of the old naturally aspirated unit, which needed to be worked harder before delivering its best. The defining characteristic is the enormous flexibility that is created as the two turbochargers.

At pretty much any revs, in any gear, there is vast thrust. Speed builds quickly and, owing to the smoothness of the delivery, rather deceptively.

To experience the full force of the E63’s new engine, you need to call up Sport Plus. Do so and you discover the reworked gearbox picks off gears with greater speed and precision than before thanks to improvements in the mechanical clutch and changes to the Speedshift software package controlling it.

Mercedes-Benz claims the standard E63 saloon, which weighs the same as is predecessor at 1765kg, hits 62mph from standstill in 4.3sec, or an even sharper 4.2sec when optioned up with the Performance Package, making it a respective 0.2secs and 0.3sec faster up the strip than the old model, whose engine was available in just a single state of tune.

Top speed, like all AMG models, is limited to 155mph, although the Driver’s Package option, which also gets the buyer a day of high speed driver training, bumps it up to a limited 186mph.

Given the heroic performance, the new E63 is reasonably economical, too. Official figures suggest it’ll return 28.8mpg on a mixture of city and motorway driving for an improvement of 4.5mpg over the old E63. In the real world, though, the figure is closer to 24mpg. Go for broke and it quickly dips below 20mpg.

As an indication of the new car’s added performance potential AMG’s new model manager, Christoph Jung, says pre-production prototype versions of the new E63 have already shaved ten seconds off the time the old model established at the Nurburgring, bringing it under eight minutes for the first time. Not too shabby for a car that car carry five adults and nominal 540-litres of luggage in saloon guise, rising to 695-litres for the estate.

Should I buy one?
With all the regulatory measures in place today, it is becoming hard to justify owning a car like this in Britain. However, those in the market for a rapid four door saloon or estate will no doubt be tempted by the reworked Mercedes-Benz E63, which goes on sale in the UK in September.

The changes AMG has brought to its latest model make it a better everyday proposition while extending its already haughty performance potential and providing it with impressive fuel economy when driven at posted limits.

UK pricing is yet to be announced. But going on that already announced in Germany, it’s not likely to change much. Expect the saloon to remain close to £73,415 – or £7190 cheaper than the CLS63, while the estate unlikely to extend much beyond £75,970.

With the Jaguar XFR having just received a midlife refresh and the introduction of the new BMW M5 just around the corner, the stage is set for an intriguing battle for four-door performance car supremacy.

Greg Kable


Mercedes E63 AMG (Performance Package)
Price: tba; Top speed: 155mph; 0-62mph: 4.2sec; Economy: 28.8mpg; CO2: 230g/km; Kerb weight: 1765kg; Engine: V8, 5461cm3 turbocharged petrol; Power: 549bhp at 5250rpm; Torque: 590lb ft at 2000rpm; Gearbox: 7-speed manual

 

Gotta get to 7:55 to beat the M5, which won't happen, but if they even made 7:59 in a production model that would be awesome.

 

CTSV runs 7:59
New Panamera ran 7:56
New M5 7:55

Happy about the faster times but still bumming that we sit in last place yet again in handling.

 

Different priorities. I still don't think the new MB Trannies have anything on BMW's DCT either. That transmission is sex. I hate the 7G-Tronic. It should be called 7G-Tragic. Why did they even give me paddles? I hit the stupid thing and it takes my input into careful consideration, and in a few minutes lets me know if it's going to shift or not.

 

You have an automatic transmission. The W212 has the MCT. Very different animals.

 

Hopefully she shifts like that SLS. Near instant engage on shifts.

Love it!

 

I'm aware. The MCT is a single-clutch setup based on the automatic, so Benz is still behind the 8-ball.

 

I'm aware. The MCT is a single-clutch setup based on the automatic, so Benz is still behind the 8-ball.

 

They sure are, I have the MCT and it aint nothing to write home about compared to the three DCT's I had and currently own: M3, GTR, and 997TTPDK.

The MCT feels like a snail compared but still feels faster than the auto slush boxes of the past.

 

^^^From the mouth of someone with experience is even better than quoting dribble, but yeah I've heard BMW's DCT is still around 20-30% faster just on upshift...and to Cylinder Head, I feel your pain...Especially on downshift...Though I've found if you stay on the gas you can click down thru a few gears pretty quick...Not especially useful on the street coming up to a red light and like you said, the internals of the transmission haven't changed just what's on the front...

 

997TT PDK? when?

A 997 Carrera S with PDK is a nice set up, but a 997TT PDK is special.

 

A few weeks back, need to do a proper photoshoot and sig update... Car was in shop for the usual:

Wheels
Suspension
Carbon Fiber goodies (wing and front lip)
Badging
Tint

Now need break in before I do the ECU mod... and yes, its and white and black theme- again.

 

did you get rid of the red 997.1tt?

 

I did, it was a 2007 which I bought new in 2008- it was damn fast with the mods but its amenities were dated and the PDK is just too good to pass up.

Its the car I have held the longest since I was in college. (3 years)

 

You're a ******* Vic. When are you going to move me out to Cali and hook me up with a new career?

 

2011 STi 7:55

Just saying

 

LOL when you take my pic out of your sig...

 

You're a snappy dresser what can I say.

 

LOL... I love my stinkin badges

 

I don't know, the article said the times were brought under 8 minutes for the first time and I really wouldn't quibble over a few seconds at those times. It would seem handling is indeed on par with the others...maybe not on a skidpad, but on the Ring, who cares about a skidpad?

 

black and white theme.... (hmms its Kong Fu Panda)

You have a black and white:
Godzilla-GTR
Kong Fu Panda- 997
Transformer- E63 (Did you see the E63 on Transformer 3 ?)

Can't wait for you to get the 5.5 bi-turbo engine on the CLS or E class.

 

I vote for a 5.5 Biturb as well. You know it's a matter of time before Vic gets one.

 

Im leaning towards the Merc over the F10 right now--- its gonna be about the chassis feel as both will be close in performance IMHO. Plus I can just move my HRE's right over!!!! When is the E63 out- Dec?

 

Late Summer last I heard. Could be wrong. I haven't driven an F10 so I can't tell you what it feels like yet, but if it's as brilliant as it's purported to be I'm going to get one next (not like I should be even thinking that as I just picked up my 63).