Mercedes-Benz updates the E 63 4MATIC+

MANILA: Mercedes-Benz has revealed the new E 63 4MATIC+ in both sedan and wagon bodies, and it comes with a host of improvements that greatly enhance both looks and performance.

First, the exterior. It gets two new, flatter taillights with two sections that extend into the boot lid where it visually links with a trim strip in high-gloss chrome on the top. On the Estate this trim strip extends even further up to the end of the outer rear lamps.

The spoiler lip on the boot lid of the Saloon is painted in the color of the vehicle or kept in carbon fiber with the optional AMG Carbon-Fiber Package Exterior II.

The rear apron has been reshaped to deliver a positive effect on aerodynamics. The lower part is in high-gloss black and is elegantly structured with a trim strip in Silver Shadow running over the entire width of the car and takes up the contour of the reshaped twin-tailpipe trim elements. As an option this trim strip is available in high-gloss black with the optional AMG Night Package or in carbon fiber (AMG Exterior Carbon-Fiber Package I). The rounded 90 mm trapezoidal twin tailpipes are chrome-plated on the base model and on the S-Model they have a new design in titanium matt with fluting on the exterior and interior. The rear section is rounded off by the high-gloss black diffuser, also restyled, with two longitudinal fins.

It gets new 19-inch 10-spoke light-alloy wheels that are aerodynamically optimized and painted in a choice of either matte black or high-gloss black or in high-gloss tantalum grey. As standard the S-Model has new 20-inch 5-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels, also aerodynamically optimized and with a wider aero rim edge, painted in a choice of matt black or high-gloss tantalum grey.

New body colors are graphite grey metallic, high-tech silver metallic and also brilliant blue magno. The latter was previously reserved for the AMG GT family and is available as an AMG-exclusive color shade in the E-Class family exclusively for the 63-series models.

Inside are AMG seats upholstered in nappa leather and combines secure lateral support. It has AMG-specific seat upholstery layout with an "AMG" badge in the front seat backrests. Other leather variants are optionally available. AMG Performance seats with integrated head restraints and even better lateral support can also be ordered on request.

The S version does one better and uses nappa leather trim on the dashboard and beltlines as well as seat belts in crystal grey. Nappa leather in black/titanium grey pearl with yellow contrasting topstitching is also available as a new AMG-specific upholstery. Individually adjustable ambient lighting also comes as standard.

It comes with the MBUX infotainment system that offers touchscreen and touchpad capability, intelligent voice control, plus AMG-specific displays and settings. The two displays for the instrument cluster and multimedia displays blend visually beneath a shared glass cover to form the Widescreen Cockpit. In the base model the monitors measure 10.25 inches diagonally, on the S-Model 12.25-inch screens are on board as standard. For the instrument cluster's display, the customer can switch between the three AMG display styles of "Modern Classic", "Sport" and "Supersport". Using the AMG menu, the driver can call up various special AMG displays such as Engine Data, gear speed indicator, Warm-up, Set-Up, G-Meter and RACETIMER. With individual AMG displays such as visualization of the drive programs or telemetry data, the touchscreen multimedia display likewise underscores the dynamic configuration.

One of the most striking features in the cabin is the AMG Performance steering wheel with twin-spoke design. It can be had with DINAMICA microfiber or a combination of leather and DINAMICA microfiber and comes with a sensor mat that detects if the driver has hands on the steering wheel. If it does not detect hands on it, a warning cascade will activate and if there is no response from the driver, it will initiate Emergency Brake Assist. The buttons on it uses haptic sensing aids for easy operation.

Under the hood of the E 63 S 4MATIC+ is an AMG 4.0L V8 biturbo engine with 612 HP and 850 Nm of torque. The E 63 4MATIC+ base model has an output of 571 HP and 750 Nm torque. The S version of the Saloon completes the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds and in 3.5 seconds as the base variant. The values for the Estate are 3.5 seconds (S version) and 3.6 seconds (base variant), respectively.

Gearbox is an AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9-speed transmission that is specially tuned to the requirements of the performance models. In manual mode "M" the transmission responds directly to manual shift commands by the driver – the powertrain responds precisely and executes the commands almost instantly. It has automatic double-declutching function when downshifting: this effect is automatically active in the drive programs "Sport", "Sport+" and "RACE" (standard in the S variant).

It sports the AMG RIDE CONTROL+ suspension with fully supporting multi-chamber air suspension and adaptive adjustable damping ADS+ (Adaptive Damping System) that can be set in three stages – "Comfort", "Sport" and "Sport+". The rebound and compression levels are adjusted independently of each other, and the freely programmable maps permit a wide spread between minimum and maximum damper force. The difference between the comfortable and sporty suspension settings is made more refined and is clearly perceptible.

AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive is standard and delivers fully variable torque distribution on the front and the permanently driven rear axles, which are connected via an electromechanically controlled clutch.

A Drift Mode is integrated into the S-Models as standard. This can be activated in the "RACE" drive program using the shift paddles, provided that ESP is deactivated and the transmission is in manual mode. When Drift Mode is activated, the E 63 S 4MATIC+ becomes a purely rear-wheel drive vehicle. Drift Mode remains engaged until the driver deactivates it again.

It also comes with an electronically regulated rear-axle locking differential, an electromechanical speed-sensitive power steering with variable ratio, a large-sized high-performance compound brake system (AMG Carbon Ceramic brake system available as an option), and AMG Dynamic Select and AMG Dynamics.

"Thanks to our efficient V8 engine and the fully variable all-wheel drive, the E 63 4MATIC+ offers not only outstanding performance and vehicle dynamics at the highest level, but with the latest revision of the Saloon and Estate we have also significantly increased comfort and yet still retained the hallmark AMG character. In conjunction with the extensive design update, which also helps the E-Class from Affalterbach achieve improved aerodynamics values, our customers are now receiving an even more attractive overall package", says Tobias Moers, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

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Photos courtesy of Mercedes-Benz