► Mercedes-AMG puts the boot into the E63
► Serious stats: 603bhp, 0-62mph in 3.5sec
► On sale now, priced from £81k
Surely no one really needs a 603bhp estate car? Mercedes seems to think so, and if it’s anything like the new E63 saloon it’s based on, that’s reason to celebrate. Affalterbach’s new V8-powered load-lugger is on sale now, priced from £81,130.
The E63 wagon, or the Mercedes-AMG E63 4Matic+ Estate to give it its full gobstopping title, uses the same 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 as the E63 saloon, with cylinder deactivation tech to save fuel and cut emissions when you’re not in a hurry.
All-wheel drive as standard
Like the E63 saloon, the estate drives all four wheels to give it a fighting chance of deploying all that power without tying itself in knots. The rear wheels are permanently driven, while an electronically controlled coupling brings the fronts into play when called for.
E63 and E63 S specs
Both the base E63 Estate and the more expensive, more lavishly engineered S version use the same engine and nine-speed automatic gearbox, but with a big difference in power output.
Base Mercedes-AMG E63 Estate:
563bhp, 553lb ft
0-62mph in 3.6sec
£81,130
Mercedes-AMG E63 S Estate
603bhp, 623lb ft
0-62mph in 3.5sec
£90,490
Top speed of both models is limited to the usual 155mph as standard, although speccing the optional AMG Driver’s package lifts it to 180mph. In an estate!
Other upgrades the S enjoys over the boggo E63 include:
- An extra ‘Race’ mode for the powertrain, steering, stability control and suspension (both versions are fitted with air suspension and adaptive dampers as standard)
- Dynamic engine mounts
- Bigger 390mm front brake discs (360mm discs are standard), with giant 402mm carbon ceramic discs an option
- The regular E63 has a mechanical limited-slip differential, and the S an electronically controlled version
There’s also a limited-run Edition 1 model – tweaks include:
- Black 20-inch cross-spoke alloy wheels
- Selenite Grey paint finish with AMG Night Package
- AMG sports seats
- Carbon fibre trim
In the saloon, Mercedes expects the S to far outsell the base non-S version, but in estate world the sales split may be less clear-cut.
What about the being an estate car bit? How much flatpack can it pack?
See our regular E-class Estate review for details, but in short, quite a bit.
The rear seat backs can be tilted 10 degrees steeper to free up another 30 litres of boot volume, or folded down entirely in a 40:20:40 split via remote electric switches.
Seats up there’s an echoic 640 litres of bootspace, and 1820 litres with them down – more than 5-series, V90 and A6 Avant.
On sale now
After its 2017 Geneva motor show debut, the new mega-E is now on sale. First deliveries are starting in June.
The ‘basic’ car starts from £81,130, while the boosted ‘S’ model can be yours for £90,490. There’s also a limited-run Edition 1 car priced at £108,780.
We’re currently running a used Mercedes E63 AMG Estate on our long-term test fleet. Click here for our test diary so far
