After seeing the new pics and performance stats for the new E63 I am tempted to go back to it after picking up a new M6 in September. The AWD seals the deal for me.

I called my local dealer in the UK and no surprise the AMG "Specialist" didn't have a clue. I had more information on the new car than he did.

Will AWD be optional in the UK? I have searched Google and made several phone calls to dealerships but no one knows.

If deliveries are going to be made in Spring I really would like to get my build slot in asap.

From the small pieces of info I've picked up, AWD is standard in the US while it's an option in Europe.

HOWEVER I hear that the AWD is not available in RHD configuration!

That's an interesting rumor. The "european" press release that MB released indicated no AWD (and all AWD language was clearly excised from the release), but it didn't make sense since we know some Euro cars will have AWD. So perhaps that was actually the UK press release. See here:
https://mbworld.org/forums/w212-amg/...ml#post5501887

Our local dealer just told us that non-AWD will be available in the US, but that conflicts with everything I've been reading. He was told they'll have ordering info in a couple weeks.

http://www.mercedes-amg.com/privatel...ad.php?t=73232

heres what i found from the private lounge, these specifications are for the german market. hope this helps!

I think I read it on the AMG Private Lounge somewhere, but now looking back I can't find it. I don't see why the Europeans wouldn't be offered 4matic as they have some bad climates over there and I've never heard of the US ever being offered an option while the Europeans are left in the cold, it's always the other way around.

As for your dealer, it certainly wouldn't be the first time they misinformed someone. I think it's pretty clear from what we've seen that the US will get 4matic standard- 2wd not available.

I got a reply from the official Mercedes AMG channel on youtube.

"The reason that right-hand drive CLS 63 AMG’s and E 63 AMG’s can not have 4MATIC is due to the transfer shaft for the 4MATIC system coming off of the right side of the drive train. On right-hand drive vehicles, this system conflicts with the steering unit and thus, does not allow enough room for the system."

Looks like it's RWD only. Sucks driving on the left.

That's too bad AMG didn't engineer it to work- they've got plenty of other RHD 4matics such as the SUVs and a few passenger cars like C, E, and S already. (C, E, S, CLS, CL- non AMG are available in 4matic RHD right?)

I'm not so sure on other models such as the E and S having 4 matic RHD but the SUV mercs certainly do over here.

I guess the cost of engineering the 4 matic on to the E63 in RHD is too much and demand won't allow it. How long will they stick with RWD when you're pushing nearly 600HP with over 500lb-ft of torque? Crazy.

Well, I guess MB will keep that in mind that for the next complete redesign of the E.

Do you have a choice of LHD or RHD? I know in certain countries, that choice is available. While it sucks to have LHD in a predominantly RHD country, you will get used to it soon.

How would you enter parking lot with a ticket on entry if you're on your own?

Seriously though, it would be difficult to source a car from say Germany with LHD and pay all the import taxes and then have to insure an import, which are generally much more expensive to insure in the UK at least.

Plus it would feel very strange driving on the left and being near the kerb on the driver side.

interesting....

Get one of those extended gripping tool on the end of a long pole to push the button and grab the ticket. Of course, I'm sure there are other nuisance besides that.