 2010 Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG. Click image to enlarge |
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2010 Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG
Stuttgart, Germany – As I was accelerating towards 250 km/h on the autobahn last week in the new Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG, I wondered what would happen when I reached its 250 km/h electronic speed limiter. Would it sound an alarm? Would the engine power be cut off abruptly or smoothly? Would I feel a loss of control? Would I feel cheated?
Unfortunately, I never found out: just as I reached 240 km/h, a “slow-moving” Opel appeared in front of me doing about 180 km/h – and took his time getting out of my way. Yes, even the autobahn has its left-lane bandits!
Germany’s high-speed freeways are definitely more crowded these days – if you want to go really fast, you have to pick the right time of day – or if you’re really brave and have good headlights – go in the middle of the night.
 2010 Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG. Click image to enlarge |
My fearless passenger and co-driver, Rob Rothwell, managed to snap a shot of the E63’s speedometer at 228 km/h with the tachometer hovering around 4,300 r.p.m. (I was too scared to take my eyes off the road to read the speedometer). It’s clear that with a redline of 7,200 r.p.m., the E63’s actual top speed would be well over 250 km/h. In fact, in Germany, AMG offers an optional “Driver’s Package” on the new 2010 E63 with a 300 km/h speed limiter, suggesting that the top speed is over 300 km/h! The package includes a mandatory high-speed driver training course at the AMG Driving Academy in Germany. Das ist gut!
You could argue, with some conviction, that these numbers are meaningless (not to mention illegal) in Canada. But you could also argue that any mid-size sedan capable of travelling, accelerating, and braking at autobahn speeds will offer vastly superior handling, braking, and stability at legal North American highway speeds. And that the reason German performance sedans have such a good reputation for vehicle dynamics, high speed stability, and safety is the absence of speed limits on (portions of) Germany’s autobahns.
  2010 Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG. Click image to enlarge |
Still, in a world now focused on reducing carbon dioxide emissions, excessive fuel consumption, and harmful exhaust emissions, a 518 horsepower mid-size sedan with a 6.2-litre V8 engine, a zero to 100 km/h time of 4.5 seconds, and average (NEDC-spec) fuel economy of 12.6 L/100 km (22 mpg Imperial) isn’t exactly a poster child for social responsibility.
Aware of this, Mercedes-Benz AMG spokespersons at the E63’s introduction made a special effort to emphasize that the new 2010 E63 AMG offers 12% better fuel economy than the previous model which had basically the same engine, and is the most fuel-efficient 500+hp sedan in its class. The gains in fuel efficiency were made possible by new cylinder wall coatings that reduce piston friction, more accurate delivery of fuel, and a revised alternator. As well, improved aerodynamics and a new seven-speed wet clutch transmission with lower rotational inertia than the previous 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic contribute to the improved fuel economy.
But with a suggested retail price expected to be in the $120,000 range (the 2009 E63 MSRP was $121,100), fuel economy is not likely to be a big concern for E63 buyers. And you could argue that with such a limited number of AMG models on the road, their contribution to global warming will be marginal. But I wouldn’t bother trying to convince David Suzuki of this.
AMG engineers do have to be commended for improving this engine’s fuel economy while increasing horsepower slightly to 518 hp at 6,800 r.p.m. and maintaining peak torque at 465 lb-ft at 5,200 r.p.m. The E63’s arch competitors, the V10-powered BMW M5 and Audi S6, both have less horsepower and torque but use more fuel, according to Natural Resources Canada Energuide ratings.
   2010 Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG. Click image to enlarge |
As you’re probably aware, Mercedes-Benz’ AMG performance division based in Afalterbach, Germany near Stuttgart, modifies existing Mercedes-Benz models to improve acceleration, handling, steering, braking, and high-speed performance. Each AMG engine is assembled by hand from start to finish by one engineer, who stamps his signature on top of the engine when it’s finished – it takes about three hours and ten minutes to build one 6.2-litre V8. (Note: though Mercedes refers to it as a 6.3-litre V8, it’s displacement of 6208 cc is closer to 6.2 litres). Other modifications done at the small Afalterbach factory include suspension upgrades, improved brakes, revised steering, new wheels and tires, instrument and cabin control upgrades. Custom paint, bodywork and mechanical upgrades can also be accommodated for a price.
What distinguishes the 2010 E63 AMG from the standard 2010 E-Class sedan is its unique 6.2-litre AMG DOHC 32-valve V8 engine, a specially tuned suspension with electronically controlled shock absorbers to reduce roll angle when cornering; a new front axle, new steel spring struts and a 56 mm wider front track to provide more stability when cornering at speed; and rear air springs with automatic levelling to keep the car at a constant height regardless of load. The driver can select three suspension modes: Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus with the touch of a button. These provide progressive levels of firmness and response from softer to harder.
The all-new seven-speed AMG MCT Speedshift transmission, first seen in the SL63, uses a compact, wet start-up clutch instead of the traditional torque converter. Shift times have been reduced to just 100 milliseconds by briefly interrupting ignition and fuel injection operation when shifting. Manual shifts can be accomplished by pulling on the paddles behind the steering wheel (right to shift up, left to shift down), or it can be just left in Automatic mode. The seven-speed Speedshift transmission features four driver-selectable performance modes: Comfort, Sport, Sport + and Race Start. The first three offer progressively more aggressive shifting and downshifting including automatic double de-clutching. Race Start allows the driver to get the maximum acceleration from a standing start without spinning the tires or damaging the transmission. The Speedshift tranny also features a Controlled Efficiency mode that shifts gears early to keep engine speeds and fuel consumption low.
 2010 Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG. Click image to enlarge |
The 2010 E63 AMG also features new speed-sensitive rack and pinion steering with a ratio of 14:1 and a more rigid steering column that is 22 per cent more direct than in a standard E-Class sedan. I found it extremely accurate and responsive while cornering, stable at very high speeds, but light enough to park at low speeds without much effort.
The new E63 also features a three-stage electronic stability control (ESP) system. The driver can select ESP On, ESP Sport, or ESP Off depending on how much they want the rear end to hang out when cornering. However, with rear-wheel drive, fat rear tires, and 465 pound-feet of torque, I would recommend leaving the ESP on most of the time.
      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.
