2018 Mercedes-AMG E63 S Sedan Photo Gallery
CARS.COM — The big-boy AMG version of the new E-Class sedan arrives for 2018 with a ton of power (the most yet of any E-Class) from a smaller engine; the 2018 Mercedes-AMG E63 S’ twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 packs a serious punch of up to 603 horsepower. Though it has 1.5 fewer liters of displacement than the outgoing E63, the entry-level E63 with 563 hp still hits 60 mph faster than the outgoing car channeling all that power to the ground through standard all-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic transmission. Mercedes says the new E63 can hit 60 mph in 3.4 seconds and the S in 3.3 seconds, which is faster by a few ticks than the outgoing E63 (3.6 seconds) and E 63 S (3.5 seconds).
Related: 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Expert Review
A quick refresher: The E-Class was redesigned for 2017 and debuted with the E300 making 241 hp from a turbocharged four-cylinder. Following the base four-cylinder is a sportier, “baby AMG” Mercedes-AMG E43 in early 2017 with a twin-turbocharged V-6 churning out 396 hp. The newly announced E63 and E63 S are so far the top dogs in the redesigned E-Class’ lineup, arriving in summer 2017.
The E63 variants get the usual performance goodies, including wider wheel arches to accommodate larger wheels and a wider track width plus more power and unique suspension. Less usual is the inclusion of a “Drift” mode that’s standard on the E63 S and optional on the E63. It takes advantage of a redesigned all-wheel-drive system by transferring all available torque to the rear wheels, effectively making the sedan rear-wheel drive for the ability to pitch the car sideways and let the rear end slide.
Keeping the AMG controlled in the corners is a “re-engineered” air suspension that Mercedes says is based on the E-Class’ Air Body Control suspension, which combines comfort, steering precision and stability while cornering. On the other side of going fast is a new fuel-saving cylinder-deactivation system that shuts down four cylinders in part-throttle driving to save fuel. This is the first of its type on Mercedes’ turbocharged engines, though the automaker has used it elsewhere on naturally aspirated engines. Another first for the E63’s turbocharged engine are the turbos themselves, which are both twin-scroll turbochargers, a type of turbocharger used to improve responsiveness and overall performance.
We’ll see more of the 2018 E63 sedan in person when it debuts Nov. 16 at the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show.
