Mercedes-AMG took the wraps off its E 63 S sedan and wagon Wednesday night, revealing an impressive list of improvements over the outgoing models. Though the company calls it an “extensive update,” there’s enough new content here to make the German hot rods look like new vehicles to the naked eye.
What stays? The powertrain—and that’s a good thing—as we don’t expect many complaints about that. Power still comes from a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 that produces 603 horsepower and turns all four wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmission. Mercedes-AMG says the combination will deliver a 3.3-second zero to 60 time in the sedan and 3.4 in the wagon. Both units will continue up to an electronically limited top speed of 186/180 mph. If straight-line performance isn’t your thing, the E63 S has you covered, as “Drift Mode” cuts out the front axle entirely so that all 627 pound-feet of torque can melt the rear tires.
Both cars’ front and rear bumpers have been redesigned with three functional air intakes and a new splitter, and the company says the wheels have been aerodynamically optimized for each vehicle. The E63 S has also adopted AMG’s Panamericana grille design, with vertical slats and a larger tri-point star.
Inside, it’s all about the screens. Dubbed the “Widescreen Cockpit,” the system uses two 12.3-inch displays that combine for both a driver information center and the central infotainment unit. Mercedes-AMG says the system is running its latest version of MBUX infotainment software, which has been improved with AMG performance data and a “Hey Mercedes” voice control function, as we recently experienced it in the GLB crossover.
Even the steering wheel has been massaged with new buttons and haptic sensors that control various display and vehicle functions. The design looks very similar to the leaked 2021 S-Class wheel we saw last month. Inside the wheel, a touch sensor can detect when the driver’s hands are off the wheel for a certain time and can activate the car’s emergency braking system if the driver does not respond to repeated warnings.
Mercedes-Benz hasn’t confirmed pricing or release details yet, but we don’t expect the cost to stray too far from current levels. The 2020 cars were priced around $108,000 for the sedan and $112,000 for the wagon. If you’re hoping to get ahold of one, be on the lookout in late 2020, and be sure to set aside some extra cash for replacement tires.
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