Mercedes-Benz E63 S review

The most aggressive super sedan in the world. Only maybe he’s not as bellicose as he used to be. The Mercedes-AMG E63 has been improved and the idea, according to Mercedes, is to offer “improved daily comfort”. Good, since that’s pretty much the only real criticism we’ve had of its mighty predecessor.

It arrived four years ago in late 2016, bringing with it a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 mated to the World’s Best 4WD™ system. Not only was it very good at reducing your power on rough roads and conditions, but it could also be very good at NOT reducing your power if you disconnected the front driveshafts and locked it in Drift mode. Not for the faint of heart. None of that has been touched on anyway: this is a mid-life facelift for the E63, which means a bit of sculpting, but no fundamental changes. An opportunity for engineers and designers to make slight and less substantial adjustments.

The engine is intact (although since the engines are the same mid-engine for AMG as they are for Ferrari, we doubt that a bit), meaning you still have the option of a 567bhp E63 or 604bhp E63 S, Drift mode and other niceties, although that option is only available overseas: as with other AMG models, only the S will come to the UK.

Performance hasn’t changed, with a top of 186 mph and 0-62 in 3.4 seconds for the S. That’s also 277 g/km and 23.2 mpg. The wagon tops out at 180 mph, is 0.1 seconds slower, and a bit heavier on fuel (283 g/km and 22.8 mpg).

Up front, you’ll find a new splitter and even larger front air intakes, which flow into the front arches, which are now 27mm wider on each side. They hide wider treads and larger/wider front tires, the most significant mechanical upgrade made.

Inside, there’s an updated steering wheel with even more touch controls and an improved double-glass display layout for all instruments and infotainment. The click wheel is gone entirely, in its place is a neater, cleaner and larger trackpad.

Exterior upgrades gave the E63 a more rounded front end with a more pronounced grille which is probably good for aerodynamics and cooling, but gives the E63 a slightly jagged face. The taillights are new and well-designed, though more anonymous on the truck than the sedan. It seems that Mercedes did not go for the more open visual stance and aggressiveness of the Audi RS6. What they did was match the price of the Audi: £98,370 for the AMG 63 S sedan, or exactly £2,000 more for the station wagon (that’s the one you really want), the ‘E63 is a six-figure car with even a brief visit to the list of options.

The revamped E63 does the job the Merc needs: provide a little more comfort for passengers without taking away from the driver’s appeal. It still sounds good, gets tough and makes the driver feel like a little kid every time he gets behind the wheel.

But now it also allows its passengers to feel more relaxed. It’s not that the ride is much smoother, it’s that vibrations and harshness are dampened better, making the car feel more grown-up. Just keep in mind that the new steering wheel and infotainment complex are very much aimed at a younger generation. you’ll get used to it

For us, the update reinforces the E63’s position as the best super sedan and station wagon out there. The changes not only improve comfort, but add a bit of dynamic polish that makes it more crisp and eager. An RS6 is more refined and has a stunning stance, the M5 is the slickest to drive, but the E63 is still the most exciting. Now with fewer complaints from your passengers.