2017 Mercedes-AMG E 63 pricing and specs announced

The recently unveiled BMW M5 Competition Edition’s twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 engine serves up 592bhp and 516lb ft, while the Audi RS6 Plus’s twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 gets 597bhp and 553lb ft.

The E 63's new engine, which is mounted on dynamic mounts in the E63 S 4Matic+, replaces the older twin-turbocharged 5.5-litre V8 used in the outgoing second-generation car, providing the standard model with an added 14bhp and 29lb and the S with an extra 26bhp and 37lb ft over its predecessor.

For the first time, AMG has fitted its 4.0-litre V8 with a pair of new twin-scroll turbocharger for use in the E 63, which claimedly will improve induction boosting properties and further enhance throttle response.

In its most extreme state of tune, as fitted to the E63 S 4Matic+, this new engine develops a specific output of 151.4bhp per litre – some 16.6bhp per litre more than the engine powering the M5 and 2bhp per litre more than the RS6 Performance's engine.

This endows the new 1880kg E 63 S 4Matic+ with a power-to-weight ratio of 321bhp per tonne, an improvement of 12bhp per tonne on the old 1865kg E63 S 4Matic it replaces.

The engine also has AMG Cylinder Management for added fuel savings on part throttle loads. In city driving, four cylinders are deactivated between 1000 and 3250rpm when the engine is switched to comfort mode.

As in other recent AMG models, the driver can choose between four driving modes: Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus and Individual, via a Dynamic Select button on the centre console. In Comfort mode, a coast function decouples the engine from the gearbox on extended periods of trailing throttle at speeds between 37-100mph for better fuel efficiency. A fifth driving mode, Race, is also included on the E63 S 4Matic+.

The gearbox in the new E 63 is a nine-speed Speedshift MCT (Multi Clutch Technology) automatic, featuring a so-called wet start off clutch and steering wheel mounted shift paddles. Further driveline developments include a mechanical differential lock for the E63 4Matic+ and faster acting electronic differential lock on the E 63 S 4Matic+.

Both models will be available only with AMG's Performance 4Matic+ four-wheel drive system, which offers fully variable distribution of drive between the front and rear wheels for the first time.

The E 63 4Matic+'s 0-62mph time is 3.5sec, and the E 63 S 4Matic+'s is 3.4sec. The top speed of both models is limited to 155mph, although buyers can specify an optional AMG Driver’s Package, which extends its maximum potential to a limited 186mph.

Despite the use of four-wheel drive, AMG says it has ensured the car retains its reputation for promoting oversteer when the conditions allow through the inclusion of a what it calls Drift mode. Activated by the shift paddles, it prompts the four-wheel drive system to deliver drive exclusively to the rear wheels, remaining engaged until the driver deactivates it.

The car's suspension is a specially tuned version of the sixth- generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class’s Air Body Control system, linked to unique tracks widths and wheel carriers. This gives the E 63 greater camber control than its predecessor.

The brakes are 360mm discs with six pot calipers up front and 360mm discs with single pot calipers at the rear on the E 63 4Matic+, while the E 63 S 4Matic+ has larger 390mm discs up front. Optional ceramic carbon discs measure 402mm up front and 360mm at the rear.

AMG has provided the new E 63 with a comprehensive styling package that not only makes it look sportier but also sets it further apart from regular E-Class models than previous generations of the AMG car.

At the car's front, there's a model-specific front grille, bumper, bonnet and fenders. The whell arches extend 17mm beyond those of the standard E-Class to house the E 63's wider front track and 20in wheels shod with 265/35 front and 295/30 tyres (standard on the E63 S 4Matic+ and optional on the E63 4Matic+).

The changes up front are combined with black exterior mirror housings, wider sills, a boot deck-mounted spoiler, a new rear bumper and four traditional trapezoidal shaped tailpipes.