Big Benz E 63 AMG storms down under ahead of schedule

When we last spoke about the Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG it was thought Australian deliveries would commence in the first quarter of 2010. Well, good news if you’ve got a lazy quarter of mill lying around, because you will be able to get your grubby little mitts on a 520bhp E63 AMG before Christmas. Well before, as it turns out, with the press release below claiming you’ll be seeing these cars in Aussie showrooms from November.

List pricing, before all the tiresome taxes and delivery fees, is $234,900. Australian delivered E 63 AMG models come with 19″ alloys, a rear boot spoiler and a sun protection package as standard fitment. Such items are usually optional extras.

As is to be expected there is heaps of electronic trickery going on under those angular body panels. But all you really need to know is the combination of a 7 speed MCT transmission coupled to a 6.3 litre V8, punching out 630Nm of torque to go with its 386kW of power, will get you from zero to the speed limit in a tiny 4.5 seconds. Not bad for a big lump of metal.

More pics, more detail and more info down below.

The Bahnstorming E63 Lands in Australia

Melbourne, 10 October, 2009 – The eagerly awaited E 63 AMG Sedan is being rushed to Australia following its Frankfurt Motor Show debut to satisfy anxious buyers.

Similar to the Edition 63 (C63) the Australian market has been able to uniquely specify a model specification to match Australian requirements. The Australian E 63 comes standard with the rear boot spoiler, sun protection package, 19 inch alloys as a stand alone fitment (These items are normally required as part of selected option packages).

The new E 63 AMG distinguishes itself from the regular E-Class models with the powerful AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine, the completely newly developed AMG RIDE CONTROL sports suspension with electronically controlled damping and a new front axle, and with its autonomous exterior and interior design.

Mercedes-AMG has achieved a reduction in fuel consumption of almost twelve percent for the new E 63 AMG, thanks to the concerted use of fuel-efficiency measures. With its unique combination of pioneering driver assistance systems, the E 63 AMG further consolidates the brand’s leading position in the field of automotive safety.

Echoing its distinct race-like sound is the E 63’s AMG-designed and developed 6.3-litre V8 petrol engine.

Developing a peak output of 386 kW and a maximum torque of 630 Nm, this high-revving, naturally aspirated performance engine delivers unrivalled figures in this hotly-contested segment.

The E 63 AMG accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds; its top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h.

Its unique combination of a high-revving concept and a large displacement represents the best of both worlds: High torque at low engine speeds combine to give flexibility to set the pulse racing – a maximum of 7200 rpm is possible.

The AMG eight-cylinder engine features a wealth of technology adopted from motor sports: This includes the lightweight, particularly rigid closed-deck crankcase and cylinder walls with revolutionary LDS coating, as well as valve gear designed for high engine speeds with bucket-type tappets in the cylinder heads.

Together with the variable intake manifold which has two integrated throttle flaps, the flow-optimised intake and exhaust ducts ensure perfect cylinder charging and a high output.

Despite 8 kW/11 hp of additional output versus the preceding model, the fuel consumption of the new E 63 AMG has been significantly reduced: At 12.6 litres of super-premium grade petrol per 100 kilometres (NEDC combined consumption), the fuel consumption of the E 63 AMG is almost twelve percent lower than before, and leads the field among sports saloons developing more than 377 kW/500 hp.

This progress has been made possible by a package of efficiency-enhancing measures. These include on-demand delivery of fuel and alternator management with recuperation of braking energy on the overrun, both of which are standard in the new E 63 AMG.

In-engine friction is also reduced by the AMG-exclusive twin-wire arc spray coating process used on the cylinder walls.

A newly designed water cooling system ensures maximum endurance even under the enormous dynamic stresses of the racetrack.

AMG DRIVE UNIT with innovative RACE START function

The centerpiece of the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission is the wet start-off clutch, which operates in a sump and replaces the previous torque converter.

Thanks to its low rotational inertia, this transmission is extremely responsive and dynamic, with movements of the accelerator immediately translated into motive power.

Equipped with four driving modes, the transmission shifts the gears with no interruption in tractive power and provides tailor-made shift strategies for maximum driving pleasure.

In “C” mode, the gear changes are comfort-oriented, with “soft” accelerator mapping for extremely smooth progress. In “S” mode the engine and transmission respond more immediately, with more revs in each gear and faster downshifts. Gearshifts are also around 20 percent faster than in “C”.

Changing to driving mode “S+” shortens this time by a further 20 percent, while “M” provides the most sporty mode of all. In “M” mode the 6.3-litre AMG V8-engine responds more sharply and the transmission shifts the gears 10 percent faster – corresponding to a 50 reduction versus “C” mode.

In “M” mode the gearchanges take only 100 milliseconds.

Particularly fast and responsive multiple downshifts are another major attribute of the AMG MCT sports transmission. Kickdown allows the driver to change from seventh directly to fourth gear, for example, or from fifth gear to second gear. In driving modes “S” (Sport), “S+” (Sport plus) and “M” (Manual) the automatic double-declutch function is active.

This is not only a benefit in terms of the driver’s emotional experience: the practically load-free downshifts minimise any load-change responses, which has an extremely positive effect when braking into bends on the racetrack.

The central control unit for the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission and all the dynamic functions is the AMG DRIVE UNIT.

The electronic rotary switch for selection of the driving modes, including activation of the innovative RACE START function, is located to the right of the shift lever.

Below this there are three keys for other functions: The first controls the ESP® system, the second the ABC suspension and the third, which bears AMG lettering, enables the driver to store the selected driving mode and the suspension setup. Briefly depressing the AMG key displays the configuration options, and longer pressure saves the preferred setups to memory.

The RACE START function opens up new dimensions in driving dynamics: It enables the driver of the E 63 AMG to summon up the maximum acceleration potential while ensuring the best possible traction for the drive wheels. The optimal start-off engine speed is set fully automatically to give the E 63 AMG the fastest possible acceleration – if required even to maximum speed.

The driver does not need to perform manual gearshifts, as the AMG transmission changes the gears with the shortest possible shift times.

Electronically controlled damping system and a new front axle: Sporty or more comfort-oriented?

The AMG E 63 driver does not have to accept any compromises in this respect.

The AMG RIDE CONTROL sports suspension copes equally well with the agile manoeuvres of the racetrack and more comfortable, sedate driving.

High performance and typical Mercedes-Benz long-distance comfort go together as an extraordinary synthesis in the E 63 AMG. This is made possible by the likes of the newly developed AMG RIDE CONTROL sports suspension.

While new steel spring struts are used on the front axle, the rear suspension features AMG-specific air springs. The advantage of this solution, which is exclusive to AMG, is that the front steel spring struts ensure more sensitive responses while the rear air struts with their automatic level control system keep the vehicle at a constant height irrespective of the load.

A new, electronically controlled damping system automatically varies the damping characteristics according to the driving situation, reducing the roll angle of the body. The result is instant adjustment to provide the best possible ride comfort together with the greatest possible agility.

In addition, the driver is able to choose between the three suspension modes of Comfort, Sport and Sport plus at the touch of a button.

The E 63 AMG is also equipped with a newly developed, dedicated front axle with a 45-millimetre wider track, a tubular stabiliser, new control arms, new wheel bearings, new elastokinematics and new hub carriers for more negative camber – thereby providing more grip when taking bends at speed.

The AMG-specific kinematics also ensure significantly more precision. This is a highly sophisticated axle design whose principle has already proved its worth in the C 63 AMG.

The rear axle likewise has more negative camber, optimised elastokinematics and a new subframe mounting for greater stability at the physical limits.

Newly developed power steering and individual 3-stage ESP®

For more direct responsiveness, the speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering is also a new development.

The steering ratio of 14 : 1 is 22 percent more direct than in the standard production models, while a more rigid steering column plus the reconfigured characteristic mapping of the speed-sensitive servo assistance ensure better steering precision and improved road contact.

The 3-stage ESP® familiar from the SL 63 AMG and C 63 AMG enables individual settings to be selected – with clear benefits in terms of driving pleasure combined with the same, high level of handling safety.

The ESP® button in the AMG DRIVE UNIT allows the driver to choose between “ESP ON”, “ESP SPORT” and “ESP OFF” – with the currently active mode shown in the central display of the AMG instrument cluster.

Perfect deceleration even when driving extremely briskly is ensured by the AMG high-performance braking system with 360-millimetre, internally ventilated and perforated brake discs all-round.

Particularly resistant, motorsports-tested composite technology is used at the front axle. Outstanding grip is ensured by the 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels with a width of 9 and 9.5 inches and mixed tyre sizes of 255/40 R 19 at the front and 285/35 R 19 at the rear.

An interior with traditional Mercedes-Benz luxury and convenience

Whilst the performance and technology of the E 63 are unquestioned , the interior of the E 63 lifts the comfort and convenience level to a new benchmark in the class.

The newly designed interior of the E 63 AMG is an exciting blend of high-grade materials and functional sportiness.

Exclusive features include the dedicated, electrically adjustable AMG sports seats with improved lateral support and the AMG sports steering wheel in a four-spoke design with AMG shift paddles.

As a completely new feature exclusive to the E 63 AMG, the AMG selector lever has one-touch logic. Directly adjacent to it in the centre console is the AMG DRIVE UNIT, which provides adjustments for the MCT sports transmission, the ESP functions, the suspension setup and the AMG driving modes.

Standard equipment also includes high-grade Nappa leather upholstery in three different colours, the AMG instrument cluster with an AMG main menu, door entry sills with AMG lettering and a sports pedal cluster – both in brushed stainless steel.

The addition of Reversing camera, Parking Guidance, Ventilated and heated luxury front seats, Active multi-contour backrest for driver and passenger, Panoramic sunroof, Keyless go and the Exclusive leather interior feature in addition to the already exhaustive E-Class equipment list will make the E 63 the compelling choice.

Active and passive safety at a new level

The top AMG model in the E-Class traditionally meets the very highest expectations with respect to active and passive safety.

Naturally this also applies to the new E 63 AMG: standard features include the new drowsiness detection system ATTENTION ASSIST, the unique preventive occupant protection system PRE-SAFE®, Brake Assist PLUS, seven airbags and crash-responsive NECK-PRO head restraints.

The safety features are at a level unprecedented in this vehicle class with the Lane Keeping Assist and Blind Spot Assist systems, the PRE-SAFE® Brake with an automatic braking function which can bring the vehicle to a complete stop and, Adaptive Highbeam Assist with Intelligent Lighting System.

• Model: E 63 AMG
• Power: 386kW
• Torque: 630Nm
• 0-100km/h: 4.5s
• Price: $234,900*
• In showrooms: November

Further enhancements are available to further personalize the E 63 ex factory

• AMG rear axle locking differential with 40 percent locking action
• AMG Exterior Carbon package
• AMG Performance steering wheel in a three-spoke design
• AMG carbon-fibre trim in the interior

*The price shown is current Manufacturer’s List Prices (MLP) for the Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG and EXCLUDES DEALER DELIVERY AND ALL ON ROAD COSTS such as, for example, registration fees, stamp duty, CTP and the like. Consumers should contact authorised Mercedes-Benz passenger car dealers in order to obtain relevant and accurate drive away pricing.