What is it?
The Mercedes-AMG E63 S Estate might well be the car to dethrone the Audi RS6 as the quintessential modern-day super-wagon.
The Audi’s appeal lies in its handsome styling, massive grip, faultless stability and enormous straight-line performance. If the AMG can add some level of agility and on-the-limit precision to that set of attributes, it’ll swiftly unseat the Ingolstadt charger and assume the role of king of the super-estates.
The booted Merc uses the same drivetrain and underpinnings as the Mercedes-AMG E 63 S Saloon, which is probably, all things considered, the fastest and most dynamically competent four-door there has ever been. The engine is basically the same 4-litre twin-turbo ‘hot-vee’ V8 that powers great swathes of the AMG line-up these days - although not the dry-sump unit that’s found in the AMG GT sports car - offered here in 604bhp and 627lb ft guise. Mercedes quotes a frankly absurd 0-62mph time of 3.5sec.
The E63 is four-wheel drive now, of course, but it’ll still bonfire its rear boots in three-and-a-half seconds flat if you activate Drift mode, which simply decouples the front axle and disables the driver aids. The gearbox is a nine-speed automatic, rather than a twin-clutch, but the gearshifts are every bit as quick as you need them to be, given that this is a fast estate and not a dedicated sports car. The advantage of the E63’s transmission over a twin-clutch item is that it’s smoother in auto mode and much lighter too.
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LHD controls
At some point reviewers and buyers will realise that the latest C and E class 63s have lazy LHD central console controls....
The older generation 212 and 204 had handed centre console switches so it's clear that they've just cost thrifted the newer versions. Not a problem you say but with the new "mouse" in the centre it means the driver now can't see the mode, gearbox and suspension switches from the driving position but your passenger can. Meanwhile the driver gets easy access to the start stop switch and exhaust noise selector. Vital.
Really poor on £70/90k cars.... Best or nothing? The UK gets the nothing option....
Mucho money. But only earning
Mucho money. But only earning half the price of one of these, i'm obviously not their target market. I do like a quick estate, but i feel MB are going backwards with their interiors..it's all over the place. Too many vents, lots of different textures fighting for attention, a huge wide centre console, and that boxy screen stuck on the top of the dash. It's not a pretty sight.
Can't beat a Merc V8 for the
Can't beat a Merc V8 for the sense of occasion and to put a smile on your face. Sure it's not a traditional 5/5.5/6.3 but they are full of character. It is a lot of money and I couldn't afford one but really glad this sort of car still exists!