New 2017 Mercedes-AMG E 63: UK prices and specs revealed

After its reveal last year at the Los Angeles Motor Show, Mercedes-AMG has revealed UK prices and specs for its new E 63 4MATIC+, confirming that the supersaloon will be priced from £78,935. Order books for the new BMW M5 and Audi RS6 rival are open right now, with first deliveries set for June.

• Best performance cars to buy now

34

That £78,935 price tag nets the standard E 63 4MATIC+ model, boasting 563bhp from its twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 - a smaller powerunit than the 5.5-litre featured in the last E 63, but shared with the AMG GT sports car. The more powerful E 63 ‘S’ model, packing 604bhp from the same 4.0-litre engine, is priced from £88,295. 

• Best performance cars on sale

The motors offer 750Nm and 850Nm of torque respectively, and a broad spread of power between 2,500rpm and 4,500rpm. There’s only one gearbox: Mercedes’ dual-clutch nine-speed automatic.

The switch to four-wheel drive also helps the rapid acceleration figures; even the ‘regular’ E 63 can sprint from 0-62mph in 3.5 seconds, while the E 63 S trims a tenth off that time (it’s also two tenths faster than a Ferrari California) and can reach a maximum speed of 186mph when equipped with the AMG Driver’s Package option.

Mercedes claims it will still be possible to drift the E 63. Deactivating the ESP and putting the transmission into manual operation activates a Drift Mode; then the car is, in effect, driving only its rear wheels. AMG Ride Control suspension is also included as standard kit. 

34

Designers have gone for a suitably aggressive approach with the exterior styling. There are flared wheelarches at the front and, for the first time on an AMG saloon, an inset bonnet, like on a coupe. Inside, carbon fibre trim has been used extensively across the dashboard, plus there’s purple mood lighting and a mixture of cross-stitched leather and Alcantara on the steering wheel. For infotainment fans, the E 63 gets dual 12.3-inch displays in the cabin as standard - one acting as a digital instrument display alongside a widescreen infotainment screen controlled through Merc's Comand Online system.

At launch an Edition 1 model boasting standout design tweaks will be available from £106,585. Based on the more potent E 63 S car, it gets 20-inch AMG alloy wheels finished in black as standard, alongside grey paint, the AMG Night styling package and extra detailing on the side skirts. In the cabin, plenty of Carbon Fibre trim is found and is matched with AMG sports seats, a Dinamica steering wheel plus yellow contrast stitching. 

On the Edition 1 and the E 63 S, optional ceramic brakes will cost £6,995, while an AMG performance sports exhaust is a £1,000 option across the entire range. Two styling packs – the AMG carbon fibre package plus the AMG Night package - make the options list, alongside equipment packages such as the Premium pack and Driving Assistance Plus.

Mercedes has also revealed a luggage loading estate version of its hot saloon, which you can read about here.

What do you think of the new Mercedes-AMG E 63? Let us know in the comments section below...