Delivering every ounce of performance you can reasonably expect in a midsize luxury sedan, the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG roars into 2014 fortified by midlife makeover that hits all the right spots.
What's New for 2014
Along with the rest of the E-Class line, the E63 AMG gets a more fluid nose, enhanced safety technology and an automatic engine stop-start function. The AMG’s twin-turbo V8 enjoys a bump in horsepower, and all-wheel drive is now standard. The new S Model wrings even more performance out of the AMG’s potent architecture.
Choosing Your Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG
Available as a sedan or wagon, the E63 AMG is loaded with performance-spec hardware, including an adjustable sport suspension, a specially tuned seven-speed automatic transmission, upgraded steering and brakes, and specific trim throughout.
The sedan starts out with a 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 that pumps out 550 horsepower. The wagon gets a 577-horsepower version that’s also available on the sedan. Either way, zero to 60 mpg occurs in a blistering 3.5 seconds.
The E63 AMG carries an array of features that cost extra on lesser E-Class models. That means you get standard goodies like all-wheel drive, automated parking assist, a 14-speaker Harman-Kardon surround-sound system, navigation with audio storage, leather sport seats with driver massage, and adaptive full LED headlamps.
Even at this level of equipment, there are still some important option packages to consider:
- S Model (standard on wagon): Includes the 577-horsepower version of the 5.5-liter, plus a limited-slip rear differential, specific wheels and red-painted brake calipers.
- AMG Exterior Carbon Fiber: Adds carbon fiber body components.
- AMG Night: Adds gloss black exterior trim.
- Lane Tracking: Gets you active blind-spot and lane-keeping assists.
- Driver Assistance: In addition to the above, you get adaptive cruise control with steering assist, cross-traffic assist, pedestrian detection and a collision mitigation system.
Among the handful of individual options are a surround-view camera, a carbon fiber engine cover and carbon-ceramic brakes.
Remember doing time in the rear-facing third row of a station wagon? The E63 AMG wagon still has one, which makes it the fastest seven-passenger vehicle on the planet. That, combined its standard S trim, makes it even more compelling that the sedan in our view.