The one thing missing from the new Mercedes-Benz
E-Class Estate or Wagon range was a super-high performance edition. Today, Mercedes-AMG introduced not one, but two super wagons, the regular
E63 and the even faster E63 S, though we’ll only be getting the latter in USA.
As with their E63 sedan siblings, a
smaller-displacement, but more powerful, 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine
replaces the previous 5.5-liter, producing 563 hp and 750 Nm in the E63 Wagon and 604 hp and 850 Nm of torque in the ‘S’
variant.
The former can reach 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds
and has a restricted top speed of 250 km/h, while the E63 S does the
same in 3.5 sec and tops out at 250 km/h in EU-spec and 290 km/h in North American-spec. That means both E63 Wagons are faster than
the Audi RS6 Avants, at least in acceleration to 100 km/h, as it takes 3.9 sec
for the 560 PS base model, and 3.7 sec for the 605 PS Performance variant.
Regardless which E63 Wagon you choose, you get AMG’s
4MATIC+ variable all-wheel drive system (in the ‘S’, you also get the so-called
Drift mode which directs power exclusively to the rear wheels), and a
nine-speed Speedshift MCT automatic transmission with a double-clutching
function as standard.
There’s also a new electromechanical,
speed-sensitive sports steering, bigger brakes (Ceramic Composite brakes are
optional if you want to break the bank) and a new three-chamber air suspension
system with stiffer springs and continuously variable damping.
Mimicking the changes in the E63 sedans, the AMG
estates are 1.1-inches wider than the regular E-Class Wagon, with bloated wheel
arches to accommodate the greater track width and the larger wheels on the
front axle, while also getting a different front end with a unique
clam-shell-like hood. A prominent diffuser and four chromed tailpipes at the
back provide ample warning to anyone following from behind.
Inside, AMG gave the estates a pair of body-hugging
front sport seats, a flat-bottom steering wheel with a grey '12-o'clock'
marking, carbon fiber trimmings and dual-12.3"screen digital instrument
cluster with model-specific displays.
You get a massively huge trunk
boasting a 35 cu.ft. (SAE) capacity with the second row of seats upright. For
improved functionality, the rear seatback can be positioned at a 10-degree
steeper angle creating even more usable trunk space, while it can also be
folded down in a 40:20:40 split.
We’ll see the new E63 Wagons at the Geneva Motor
Show in March, with North American sales to kick off this fall at an as of yet,
undisclosed price.