Mercedes-Benz unveils facelifted AMG E 63 twins

Mercedes-Benz recently took the wraps off of the new E-Class which featured the new family face that we’ll be seeing on the soon to be launched S-Class and the C-Class, as well as some technological updates. It also showcased the E-Class Cabriolet and the Coupe, with the latter in E 53 guise, soon after. Now though, it’s time for the range-topping E 63 S. It gets styling updates to match the new E-Class family and some changes on the inside to keep the German missile up to date.

What’s new?

The front apron has been heavily reworked and features the signature Panamericana grille and the new, slimmer headlights. There are also larger intakes at the front that channel air more efficiently to cool the fire-breathing engine under the hood, but more on that later. The wheel arches are also ever so slightly wider than the outgoing car. The changes to the front-end aren’t strictly for show either. The company claims they add up to significantly reduce lift at the front axle. That’s not all, the rear gets new taillights and a more prominent boot-lip spoiler. There are also new 20-inch alloy wheels on the E 63 S which are aerodynamically optimised. On the inside, the new E 63 S’ twin 12.25-inch (10.25-inches on the standard E 63) displays run the latest MBUX software and get AMG-specific dials. There is a new AMG Performance steering wheel which gets buttons for changing various settings related to the drivetrain, exhaust and suspension, among others (standard on the ‘S’, optional on the E 63). The steering wheel can be had in leather, Dinamica microfibre, or a combination of both.

What’s not?

Mechanically the new E 63 models are identical to the outgoing ones, which isn’t a bad thing at all. The twin-turbo four-litre V8, produces 563bhp and 750Nm of torque in the ‘standard’ E 63, or 603bhp and 850Nm of torque in the S. Power is sent to all four wheels via the AMG Speedshift nine-speed MCT. The E 63 S also retains the drift mode, which sends all 603 tyre-shredding horses to the rear wheels. Yes, changes to the new E 63 range might seem insignificant to a casual observer, but it doesn’t really need any more power. It has more than what you can ever fully utilise on the road, and it is probably a good decision by Mercedes-AMG to not overpower the super saloon even further. Besides, they wouldn’t want to be encroaching on the AMG GT 63 S’ territory, would they?