First Drives, Mercedes-Benz

First Drive: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG

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July 10, 2009

2010 Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG. Click image to enlarge

Standard brakes are 360-mm internally-ventilated, perforated disc brakes at all four corners that provide smooth, powerful braking for this fairly large sedan that weighs a hefty 1840 kg (4056 lb). German owners who have regular access to the autobahn may want to consider the optional ceramic disc brakes that weigh 40 per cent less and operate at higher temperatures, but for Canadians these brakes are probably an unnecessary expense. The E63 AMG rides on wide 255/40R 18-inch radials in front and 285/35R18-inch radials in the rear mounted on special lightweight AMG alloy wheels.

The E63 AMG comes standard with many safety features including Mercedes’ new drowsiness detection alert ‘Attention Assist’, anticipatory occupant protection ‘Pre-Safe’, Brake Assist ‘BAS Plus’, crash-responsive ‘NECK-PRO’ head restraints, and seven airbags. Optional are lane deviation warning ‘Lane Keeping Assist’, cars in your blind spot warning ‘Blind Spot Assist’, automatically adjusting high beams ‘Adaptive Highbeam Assist’, and infra-red nighttime viewer ‘Night View Assist’.

If you want even more performance from your E63, an optional Performance Package includes 19-inch tires and alloys, a stiffer suspension setup, rear locking differential with 40 per cent locking action, a rear lip spoiler, three-spoke steering wheel and a rear window sunshade.

Externally, E63 AMG sedans can be distinguished from the E550 and E350 by their larger tires and wheels, unique front air dam with horizontal LED daytime running lights, side sills, rear apron, and special AMG quad square tailpipes, and on some models, a carbon fibre trunk lip spoiler.

Interior differences include extremely comfortable and supportive multi-adjustable AMG front sport seats with improved lateral support, four-spoke sport steering wheel, steel pedals, an 8,000 r.p.m. tachometer, and a row of buttons beside the transmission lever for the transmission settings, suspension settings, ESP settings, and AMG Drive modes.

As Mercedes took pains to point out, the E63 AMG combines the performance of an exotic sports car with the comfort and practicality of a five-passenger, mid-size sedan. Indeed, there are very few vehicles that can safely top 300 km/h while carrying five occupants!

But you’ll have a tough time convincing your wife that this is a family car. The ride is stiff, even in Comfort mode, the engine sounds like an angry tiger under acceleration, and fuel economy, though improved, is still atrocious. Oh, and while the new Speedshift transmission loves to perform its magic at speed, lug the E63 around town, and it drops into first with a thud at times.

Still, one car can’t do everything, and this car is just about as close as you’ll come to the perfect compromise. If only 4Matic (all-wheel drive) were available it would be the perfect all-weather car too!

The 2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG is expected to arrive in Canadian showrooms this Fall. Prices have not yet been announced.

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