Mercedes E63 AMG

Text: Conor Mills / Photos: Nathan Morgan

December 2009

• Rating:
• Latest deal price: from £26,879 to £33,752

It’s the super-saloon with a split personality! Mercedes’ all-new E-Class has been treated to the full AMG makeover, but despite its aggressive looks and blistering pace, this flagship isn’t only about performance – the E63 has a gentle side, too.

Kitted out with a carbon fibre bodykit, 19-inch alloys, flared arches and a wider stance, the car certainly looks the part. Inside it is a similar story, with leather sports seats, an Alcantara steering wheel and aluminium pedals giving it a real sense of occasion.

But it’s AMG’s 6.2-litre V8 that’s the real star. Producing 518bhp and 630Nm of torque, the deep, growling engine propels the E63 from 0-62mph in only 4.5 seconds – and huge AMG brakes mean that slowing down isn’t an issue, either.

The tweaked seven-speed auto box smoothly changes gear in a mere 100 milliseconds. And thanks to four different engine set-ups (Manual, Sport, Sport Plus and Comfort) and three suspension modes, the E63 is just as good on long-distance trips as it is on a twisty B-road.

The steering could do with a touch more feel, but it is precise in all the various modes and settings. And even on our water-logged test route, the E63’s wide tyres gave a great deal of grip.

Where the E63 AMG does fall down is with its price tag. At £69,850, it’s £10,000 more than the excellent Jaguar XFR. However, as an all-round performance car, few models can match it.