The new 2018 Mercedes-AMG E63 will be unveiled next month at the Los Angeles Auto Show and it’s the company’s most powerful version yet. The Mercedes-AMG’s 4.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 sits under the E63S’ hood, with 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 4Matic all-wheel-drive system that promises totally variable front-to-rear torque, Mercedes’ new super sedan is faster off the line than the 640-hp Cadillac CTS-V.
Mercedes says the E63S will do the sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds, while the CTS-V is timed at 3.7 seconds. The E63S is limited to 186 mph. The base E63 has 563 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, enough to take it to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds, while being limited to 155 mph. Regardless of model, Mercedes offers the same nine-speed AMG Speedshift multi-clutch transmission.
To improve fuel economy, the V-8 has cylinder deactivation, which shuts down cylinders two, three, five, and eight in light load conditions. This technology first debuted on the SLK55 AMG.
The super sporty sedan also comes with a Drift Mode. Select the ‘Race’ driving mode, deactivate the ESP completely, switch the gearbox to manual and pull the shift paddles. This engages Drift Mode, sending 100 percent of its power to the rear wheels. The suspension is also re-engineered. It features a multi-chamber air suspension. Mercedes isn’t providing specifics of the changes, but says it has high camber stability.
Design wise, the new E63 brings a new grille with two louvers in silver chrome, vertical black struts, and AMG lettering. An aggressive splitter sits up front, and Mercedes says the wide front fascia’s design was inspired by jet wings. The wheel arches are .67-inch wider to accommodate the greater track and larger wheels up front. Inside, Mercedes-AMG opted for black nappa leather and yellow stitching on AMG Performance seats. Carbon fiber trim and “Edition 1” lettering on the top of the performance steering wheel round out the limited-edition E63S.
Mercedes will kick off E63 sales with the E63S Edition 1, painted Designo Night Black Magno with matte-black AMG 20-inch wheels and the gloss-black Night Package.
U.S. sales will begin next summer, likely around the same time as the new BMW F90 M5 which is also rumored to deliver around 600 horsepower.
