Mercedes-Benz has shown us its new E-Class, but soon after the car reaches showrooms in the summer we should have had our first look at the high-performance version from Mercedes-AMG.
No, we’re not talking about the new E43.
We’re talking about the new E63 sledgehammer, which once again will pack a twin-turbocharged V-8. A debut is expected at the 2016 Paris Auto Show in late September.
Here we see some prototypes that reveal the aggressive look the car will adopt. Key elements include the myriad of intakes in the front bumper, quad-exhaust tips at the rear and chunky alloy wheels and brakes at all four corners.
The interior should be similar to what we see in the new E-Class albeit with unique AMG treatments thrown in. For example, we can see the AMG-specifc speedometer showing a 330 kmh (205 mph) top speed.
According to recently leaked info, the new E63 will come with 563 horsepower and 553 pound-feet in standard form and 603 hp and 627 lb-ft in sportier E63 S trim. Both will receive their power from AMG’s twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8.
Drive will be to all four wheels via a 9-speed automatic with a wet start-up clutch for quick off-the-line launches. We’ve also heard the all-wheel-drive system will offer a “drift” mode for controlled power slides.
Further performance gains will come from the adoption of the lightweight and stiff MRA platform which debuted in the latest C-Class. The outgoing E63, though quick, weighs as much as 4,431 pounds in some guises. Autonomous driving technology is also a key element of the MRA platform.
The E63 is thought to be capable of 0-62 mph acceleration in 3.7 seconds while the E63 S is expected to achieve the same feat in just 3.5 seconds.
At present, only the new E-Class sedan and E-Class Wagon are expected to receive the AMG treatment, although we could see the new E-Class Coupe and E-Class Cabriolet included this time around.
