Due to reach the in international markets in April following a public premiere at next week’s Detroit motor show, the heavily revised E63 AMG saloon and estate preview a radical change in direction for the styling of all future AMG models with a distinctive exterior treatment that aims to provide both greater differentiation from standard Mercedes-Benz models together with improved aerodynamic properties.

 

Included is a more aggressive front end that combines the twin headlamp treatment of the newly facelifted E-class with a unique grille and bumper – the latter distinguished by huge air ducts and a central splitter that is claimed to improve air flow underneath the car. The exterior mirror housings have been given a new carbon fibre look and the side sills are altered with a new two tone treatment. The rear sports a more unique looking bumper that houses a revised diffuser element and quad trapezoidal shaped tail pipes.

 

Mercedes-Benz’s latest performance model runs a lightly retuned version of AMG’s twin-turbocharged 5.5-litre V8 petrol engine. It now develops 549bhp in standard trim and 577bhp in combination with an optional performance package – increases of 31bhp and 28bhp respectively.

 

Torque loading has also increased, with the standard engine now delivering an added 2.07kgm at 73.4kgm and the performance package specification unit remaining at 81.5kgm but developed across a 750rpm broader range of revs between 1750rpm and 5000rpm.

 

The heady reserves continue to be channelled through AMG’s seven speed Speedshift MCT automatic gearbox to the rear wheels. It offers four different driving modes: C (Controlled Efficiency, S (Sport), S plus (Sport plus) and M (Manual) as well as automatic stop/start and brake energy recupation. The performance package option also adds a differential lock.

 

Mercedes-Benz claims the standard E63 AMG saloon now boasts a 0-100kph time of 4.2sec, with the optional performance package at just 3.6sec – improvements of 0.1sec and 0.6sec respectively. Top speed remains at a limited 250kph and 300kph.