New Mercedes-AMG E63 Wagon
This latest in a long line
of E-Class prototypes roaming the streets of Europe is one of the most
revealing testers of the next E63 AMG Wagon, disclosing the rear lights of the
series for the very first time.
The rear end treatment of
the new 2017 E-Class Wagon is very different from that of the sedan model, but
very similar to the smaller C-Class Estate sporting elongated, split rear
lights. It’s also a smidge less boxy than the car it replaces with a more angled
rear window that will probably make it slightly less practical and roomy than
the existing car, but still good enough to be among the best in its category.
Another thing we noticed
about this specific tester is the unique front treatment for the E63 AMG models
that differ from the regular E-Class sedans and estates. Aside from the
reshaped AMG-style bumper with the larger vents on either corner, the E63s get
a clam-shell-like design for the bonnet, as whereas on the standard E-Class
models the hood goes all the way down to the headlights, on the E63s, it leaves
a space above them.
The massive brake discs on
all four corners peeping through the large alloys that are housed under swelled
wheel arches, side skirts and a rear diffuser flanked by quad pipes, complete
the car’s looks on the outside, while inside, we expect Mercedes to give the
E63 a pair of body-hugging front sports seats, and model-specific steering
wheel, trim and instrument panel graphics.
A recently leaked document
gave us the specifications of the next E63 models that will be powered by a
newer 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 punching out 571 PS and 750 Nm in base form, and 612 PS and 850 Nm in ‘S’ trim,
versus 525 PS / 700 Nm, and 585 PS / 800 Nm of the outgoing regular and ‘S’ E63 models with the 5.5-liter V8. This makes
the new E63 AMG more potent than either of its German rivals, the Audi RS6 (up
to 605 PS in Performance trim) and BMW M5 (up to 600 PS for the limited
editions).
All E63 AMGs will get a
9-speed automatic transmission offering both rear- and all-wheel drive layouts,
depending on the market. We should see the first
pictures of the standard E-Class Wagon this summer before its public debut at
the Paris Auto Show in the fall, with the E63 AMG variant to follow shortly
after.