Mercedes E 63 AMG S: Gallardo on fire at 0-100 speed - Sports cars

A few years ago, under a tacit agreement between the manufacturers of high-performance sedans and station wagons, 500 hp. were maximum power, not a plus to be achieved.

Thus, the progress of this category was not measured by HP sound, but by fewer kilograms and more technology.

This was an unwritten rule.

But it was to be expected that sooner or later someone would break it. The first and so far the only rebel is Mercedes.

I say goodbye because Audi seems to be working on a sophisticated version of its RS6 Avant. With an expected 600 hp The RS6 Avant will conquer the scepter of the most powerful station wagon in its category, surpassing even the most powerful models. Mercedes Benz E63 S 4MATIC you see on these pages.

Ironically, since some time ago I was pointed out to the 500 hp threshold rule. Audi technician. Apparently everything is changing.

Mercedes E63 AMG S: beyond

It was only a matter of time: it was obvious that sooner or later some House would decide to exceed the limit.

Especially if this House has a division with that name. AMG... If you think that in his debut, thirty years ago, the first Mercedes E Class who got our hands on AMG got the nickname HammerHammer, it makes sense that now it's just one class E It is ideal to take opponents in your category with a hammer.

So, for now, new Mercedes E63 S da 585 CV it is the worst predator in its category due to its clear advantage in terms of strength over its rivals. BMW M5, Porsche Panamera Turbo S e Jaguar XFR-S and also on the standard E63 (which with its 557 hp has the same power as the old version with the Power Pack, which is no longer there).

To bolster those bhp, there is 800 Nm of torque (just to give you an idea, the M5 and XFR-S have 680 and 625 respectively). That means 0-100 in 3,6 seconds, just a tenth of a second less than the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4.

For continental Europeans only

The only pain point, at least for the British: E63 S 4MATIC a four-wheel drive does not happen with right hand drive. You can cry in Chinese, but the most a dealer can do is order it from go left.

Debut in Spain new class E we couldn't get our hands on a RWD E63 S, so we had to choose between the standard RWD E63 and S 4MATIC.

In order not to be mistaken, we drove both. The E63 is very fast and at the same time very comfortable and assembled, even when you pull the powerful V8 5.5 biturbo by the neck. But after trying E63 S 4MATIC looks like a cart ...

Class E 63: spoiled for choice

Of course, dropping 720Nm to the ground on the rear wheels alone is not easy, and this is especially noticeable in the fastest and most bumpy test sections, in which stability and traction control constantly interfere when the throttle is open too much. When turned off, the E63 turns into fun filled with puffs of smoke and the acrid smell of burnt rubber. Think it should be with the 800 Nm E63 S.

In his absence, we move on to E63 S AMG 4MATIC: Unloading the same power on the ground on the same roads is amazing, there is a direct relationship between the pressure on the gas pedal and the force of the impact that reaches your back.

With it, you do not need to switch off electronic aids: with all-wheel drive, there is no energy loss when transferring power to the road.

Both models have a fixed 33/67 torque split in favor of the rear, to which in the S case is added self-locking rear differential which allows you to disconnect 0-100 "ammazzaLambo". This insane acceleration partly softens tardiness of cambio automatic Mercedes Speedshift MCT seven-speed paddle.

Le suspensionswith steel coil springs at the front and electronically adjustable at the rear, they have three settings: Comfort, Sports e Sport Plus... ESP also acts as a torque vector to make the car more agile and reduce understeer.

Driving pleasure Mercedes (and AMG)

Works very well on the track (in Hockenheim E63 S AMG 4MATIC it's almost a second faster than the RWD version) and on the road is fantastic too. Despite the extra 70 kg, S 4MATIC it feels lighter and more agile than the standard E63.

It enters corners more decisively and with less initial understeer, it has a cleaner and more immediate response, and the electromechanical steering is just as responsive but sharper than standard. This all helps to make this massive power more accessible and fun, and the V8's battle cry is so exaggerated that it drowns out the sound of any other rival.

Like all other models class E, AMG it has a softer yet more aggressive line, an aerodynamic kit, additional headlights, lower fuel consumption and emissions, and more electronic aids to assist the driver. IN brakes metal standards are great, but I carboceramics they are even better. For only € 128.410: It's certainly not cheap, but with what it offers, it still seems like a bargain.

In a market influenced by Audi's “quattro” philosophy, even BMW is obliged to present all-wheel drive as a pearl of performance, not as a means of improving safety and usability at any time of the year.

But with E63 AMG S 4MATICThis time, Mercedes burned the Audi on time. Aside from being a supercar, the Stella is the most powerful XNUMXxXNUMX of all.