Mercedes-Benz used the 2011 New York Auto Show to reveal the updated 2012 E63 AMG, which now features the new 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine, instead of the old naturally-aspirated 6.2-litre unit.
The new powerplant, already known from the CLS63 AMG, delivers 390 kW as standard, with an additional 24 kW for a total of 414 kW with the AMG Performance package. The new V8 engine has a peak torque of 700 N.m available between 1 750 and 5 000 r/min, with the AMG Performance kit adding another 100 N.m of torque.
Needless to say, the AMG-badged E-Class is super fast, reaching the 100 km/h mark in 4.3 seconds (4.4 seconds for the Estate) with its top speed restricted to 250 km/h. The AMG Performance models shave 0.1 seconds of the 0 to 100 km/h time, while posting the same average fuel consumption.
The new E63 AMG sedan posts an average fuel consumption of 9.8 L/100 km, while the Estate version settles for 10 L/100 km. This represents an increase of 22 percent in fuel-efficiency compared with its predecessor, as the new car uses 2.8 L/100km. CO2 emissions stand at 230 g/km for the sedan and 234 g/km for the estate.
Among the fuel-saving measures Mercedes quotes is the newly developed electromechanical AMG sports steering system, which only uses power when the car is steered, and the efficient AMG Speedshift MCT 7-speed sports transmission fitted with a stop/start system.
Visually, the E63 AMG with the new M157 engine has new light-alloy wheels and the “V8 Biturbo” badge on the front wings. Inside, the car gets the flat-top and -bottom steering wheel from the CLS63 AMG, a new E-Select shift lever with embossed AMG badge and a 3-D TFT color display in the center of the speedometer. Enthusiasts will appreciate the 3-stage ESP system with Sport mode, as well as the AMG Ride Control sports suspension, which now has a wider front track (by 56 mm) that increases grip in high speed corners.
The market launch is scheduled for September 2011.
