Elsewhere in our car reviews, we’ve given you an overview of the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class. However, there’s one member of the E-Class line up that really deserves a review of its own, and that’s the Mercedes-Benz E-Class AMG. This is because the Mercedes-Benz E-Class AMG (also known as the Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG S sedan) is really in a class of its own.

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class AMG adds an extra special design package onto the regular E-Class (as if the E-Class wasn’t good enough as it was). This is the AMG package, which adds a totally new level of driving pleasure and performance in the areas of engineering and styling. Sure, you’ll have all the comfort features, driver aids and general features of the usual E-class sedan, but you’ll get a whole lot more.

The whole lot more begins with the exterior of the Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG S. There are the obvious extra styling touches such as the body-coloured AMG spoiler lip, the flared wheel arches, the 10-spoke AMG alloy wheels and the AMG body kit, which comprises a chrome front splitter on the front apron and other touches of chrome and glossy black trim here and there, plus the dual sports exhaust. And you’ve also got some subtler touches, such as the S lettering on the boot lid and the “V8 biturbo” on the wings.

Of course, the real difference between the Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG S and its humbler siblings is what lies underneath that very smooth looking bonnet. This is the special AMG engine and it really is something else. It’s a 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine that can deliver the sort of power and torque we used to see only in farm tractors. If 430 kW of power and 800 Nm of torque aren’t enough for you, the only place you can turn to get more is an aeroplane.

In case you’re wondering, like me, what a biturbo engine is, it’s another word for twin turbo. You’re only going to find them on engines with a V configuration and they work by splitting the turbo duties between two units. They are supposed to be more efficient and effective than regular turbo engines, as there is less turbo lag, which means that the engine responds more rapidly to your input on the accelerator pedal – a brushed stainless steel sports pedal with rubber studs for extra grip in the case of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class AMG.

In spite of the engine size and this amount of power, the Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG S is surprisingly fuel efficient, with an average fuel consumption of 10.3 litres per 100 km, which is good going for such a big engine. However, can we say that if frugality and fuel economy are your primary concerns, you’re probably looking in the wrong place and the Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG S might not be quite the car for you.

If the Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG S is the car for you, you might like to know a bit more about what that V8 engine can do. Here’s a few of the basic facts:

• Maximum speed: 250 km/h because it’s been limited. If they didn’t limit it, all you’d need to do is to fit wings and you’d be airborne.
• Nought-to-one-hundred: Eat my dust: 3.6 seconds. That’s the responsive biturbo in action.

Of course, all that power and torque would be nothing without a decent chassis and drivetrain to match. In the drivetrain department, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class AMG, like all other Mercs with the AMG badge, is all-wheel drive with a limited slip rear differential .This comes coupled to that engine via a seven-speed sports transmission. They’ve really had a bit of fun with that transmission, and so will the driver, as there are four transmission modes to play around with, and a Race Start function thrown in as well. AMG ride control keeps things just the way you like it with the adjustable damping system, and includes self-levelling suspension on the rear axle as well as. Needless to say, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class AMG comes with a three-stage ESP programme, speed sensitive sports steering and extra strong high performance brakes with composite brake disks at the front. You need some good active safety functions with a car this powerful (and can you spot the snappy-looking red brake callipers?).

The layout of the cabin in the Mercedes-Benz E-Class AMG is positively delicious. The instruments are easy to read and while there is plenty of chrome against the high-gloss black ash wood trim, it doesn’t look too try-hard or bling. Needless to say, when you sit in those very comfortable leather-trimmed AMG sports seats (love that enhanced lateral support), you’ll see the AMG logo tastefully added here and there throughout the interior, but never in a tasteless or ostentatious way. The entire instrument panel has the special AMG design, most notably in the multifunction Nappa leather-wrapped performance steering wheel.

So far, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class AMG is only available as a sedan (the Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG S). However, given the other body styles available for the other E-class vehicles, let’s keep our fingers crossed that this scrumptious performance will eventually be available in some different-sized packages.

Current model series include:

• Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG S sedan

For any more information on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class AMG, or for that matter any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quotes requests out to our national network of Mercedes-Benz dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!

Back to Mercedes Benz Car Reviews