Potent new E63 AMG hooked up to all-wheel drive

Forget the Panama Papers because there’s a bigger leak in town! Petrolheads all over the world have been left with hanging jaws after the specifications of the next generation Mercedes-AMG E63 were leaked on a German car forum, revealing the performance details of the upcoming super saloon months before its global debut. Though Mercedes has ceased to comment on the leaked documents, insiders are confident that the document contains legitimate information.

The leaked document, consisting of two-pages, suggests that the new E63S will harbour 449kW and 850Nm of torque under the bonnet from its twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 engine, while the ‘normal’ E63 will produce 419kW and 749Nm of torque. The leak backs up earlier suspicions that the engine (which is a wet-sumped version of the dry sump unit featured in the 380kW AMG GT) would be capable of producing an excess of 447kW, and ensures that the 2017 model will be ominously more potent than the main competition; the Audi RS6 and BMW M6, both of which currently produce 412kW.

The leaked documents also disclose the important straight-line performance figures. The E63 is supposed to be capable of 0-100km/h in 3.7 seconds; while the E63S accelerates from 0-100km/h in an eye-watering 3.5 seconds. Both super saloons are electronically limited to a 250km/h top speed, although the documents suggest the next generation Mercedes AMG E63 will be available with an increased top speed, should owners request it. Both models also share the same claim for an 8.6 litres/100km combined fuel economy figure.

The new E63 will be lighter than the outgoing version and is expected to be the first AMG model in history to utilize the new 9-speed MCT gearbox. Mercedes’ air body control suspension is also very likely to be seen on the new E63, which comes as no big surprise.

AMG boss Tobias Moers has promised that these changes mean the car itself will be “not an evolution but a pure revolution – the biggest step an AMG E-Class has made”. Moers also revealed that the Mercedes AMG E63 will be four-wheel-drive-only in all markets, but added: “Don’t worry – it will still do skids, drifts and all the stupid stuff we love.”

The E63 is expected to make its debut at the Paris motor show in October, with order books opening after the car’s reveal.