Just a day after BMW unveiled the 5 Series Touring, Merc rained all over its wagon parade with the new Mercedes-AMG E 63 4Matic+ Estate,
packing all the firepower of the sedan while also letting you pack all your
IKEA shopping.
A 4.0 litre twin-turbo V8 is the star of
the show here, producing 571 hp from 5,750 to 6,500 rpm and 750 Nm of torque
between 2,250 and 5,000 rpm. All this is sent through an nine-speed AMG MCT
Speedshift automatic transmission to an AMG Performance 4Matic+ permanent
all-wheel drive system with fully-variable torque distribution, allowing this
wagon to go from zero to 100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds.
Not enough? There’s also an E 63 S that ups outputs
to a blistering 612 hp and 850 Nm, cutting the sprint time by a tenth to 3.5
seconds. But that’s not all – that extra letter also brings the addition of a
drift mode to the 4Matic+ system, turning it into a rear-wheel drive tyre
smoking machine.
To keep all that power on the road, there’s AMG
multi-chamber air suspension; the four-link front axle features forged
aluminium wishbones, strut rods and spring links, as well as independent wheel
control and suspension parts for high lateral suspension and low torque steer.
The rear axle has also been completely designed; together, they blend typical
E-Class comfort with increased precision and driving dynamics.
A sportier spring and damper setup further enhances
handling, with spring stiffness adjustable by activating or deactivating
individual air chambers, depending on the selected drive programme on the AMG
Drive Select system (Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus, Individual) and current drive
status. The spring rate is hardened automatically in the event of sudden load
changes, fast cornering, heavy acceleration or heavy braking.
The continuously variable damping is also dependent
on the AMG Drive Select system, with independently adjustable rebound and
compression levels allowing a wider spread between minimum and maximum damper
force, meaning that the differences between the modes is more refined and
pronounced. A variable-ratio electromechanical speed-sensitive sports steering
is also fitted.
Inside, the E 63 is distinguished from less models
via an AMG performance steering wheel in black Nappa leather, along with an
AMG-specific instrument cluster design and sports seats; AMG performance seats
with integral head rests are available as an option. The S model goes one
further with Nappa leather dashboard trim, crystal grey seat belts and a grey
centre marker on the steering wheel.
Under the tailgate, there’s 640 litres of cargo
space (70 litres more than the 5 Series), with up to 1,820 litres available
(120 litres more than the BMW) with the rear seats electrically folded. The
rear seats, which are 40:20:40-split, can also be made 10 degrees more upright,
freeing up an additional 30 litres while still retaining the use of all five
seats.