Performance car of the year 2022 Finalist: Mercedes-AMG E 63 S
Back in the day when paper was still a thing, every now and again a new car would come along to stop the presses. It’s different now — this internet makes it so much easier. But just like in the old days, everyone just downed tools when our Pcoty Mercedes-AMG E 63 S rocked up.
A TRIBUTE TO GREAT ‘50S BENZ RACERS
Slated as an extensive facelift, the latest nipped and tucked E 63 S ‘brings appealing new lines and an exclusive, even higher quality to the cabin’. It gets a GT-like nose nodding tribute to classic ‘50s Benz racers, flatter headlamps and flared arches to fit the fatter wheels and tyres. You’re greeted by an all-new latest generation AMG multifunction steering wheel and to run the widescreen cockpit in the superb Nappa leather cabin. Backed by delightful LED-lit ‘manettino’ switches below. And ‘Hey Mercedes!’
But that’s all just trivia. This car is really all about what‘s under the hood. The handmade double-twin-scroll turbocharged 3982 cc die-cast alloy block and head V8 E 63 S churns out 450 kW between 5,750 and 6,500 rpm. Aided and abetted by 850 Nm of twist between 2,500 and 4,500 rpm. For a claimed 3.3 second 100 km/h trot and a massive 185 mph. It obliterated those claims in our tests. Almost broke 3 seconds to 100 and ran an 11-second quarter mile. Man, that’s fast! Now even quicker than both M5 Competition. And RS6.
E 63 S turns all four wheels (most of the time) through its AMG Speedshift MCT 9-speed automatic. With a double de-clutching function and ‘emotive’ gear shifting. It even makes pops and bangs in the louder bareback mode. 10J by 20 wheels are wrapped in 265/35 ZR 20s house 402 x 29 mm discs in single-pot floating clamps at the rear. It stops! AMG Performance 4Matic+ AWD includes a purely rear-wheel drive Drift Mode like its fierce BMW M5 rival. That’s where the fun really begins!
HIGHLY ENTERTAINING HOOLIGAN MODE
Not too good for those expensive rear tyres, this hooligan bit is hugely entertaining. Forget the tyres for a second. Engage your play station mind to paddle through the complex ritual of finding the correct fully liberated rear-drive only mode. And prepare to play. First be sure that you’re up to it though. Otherwise get someone who can, to take you for that spin. Bareback, E 63 S outs its true character. It’s an absolute hoot play hooligan to the tune of a screaming biturbo V8. Accompanied by vast plumes of white rubber smoke…
Getting down to brass tacks, the Mercedes-AMG E 63 S comes in at R2.4-million. Our tester was fully loaded. However, when you figure that even a R4-million 2.7-second 0-100 km/h 911 Turbo S, a five and a half-bar 2.9-second F8 Tributo or a six-million rand 3.3-second Huracan Evo need to tread very lightly, this traditional sedan immediately becomes a far more compelling prospect.
E 63 S has all the extra everyday advantages, luxury, and space to go. It will even make you look good at the local drift track. It’s a hell of a lot of car for the money. Of course, it will forever be lumped together with that M5 Competition, but from what we hear, a good number of people who own one, will own the other along the way, anyway.
E 63 S IS AMG AT ITS VERY BEST
So, if you have two and a half bar to drop on an ultimate sedan, there’s not much more ultimate than this Mercedes-AMG E-Class E63 S 4Matic+. It’s macho, it’s fast and it’s fantastic. Toggle all the right switches red and you have an incredible car under you — a man’s car through and through. But driven just as she fires it up, your missus can just as easily tootle down to the shops in it in superb style. That’s Mercedes-AMG at its very best! Now let’s see how it fares against its toughest opposition. Watch this Pcoty space!
PERFORMANCE CAR OF THE YEAR 2022 FINALIST: Mercedes-AMG E-Class E63 S 4Matic+ Engine: 450 kW 850 Nm 4-litre biturbo petrol V8 Drive: 9-speed automatic AWD TESTED: 0-100 km/h: 3.18 sec 0-160 km/h: 7.12 sec 400m: 11.1 sec @ 202 km/h 80-120 km/h: 1.98 sec 120-160 km/h: 2.87sec CLAIMED: VMax: 300 km/h Fuel: 11.6 l/100 km CO2: 267 g/km Warranty/Service: 2y unl./5y 100K km LIST PRICE: R2.436M
Performance car of the year 2022 Program Pcoty ‘22 Introduction Audi RS 6 Avant BMW M5 Competition Ford Ranger Raptor SE Jaguar I-Pace Mercedes-AMG A45 S Mercedes-AMG E 63 S Mini Cooper SE Toyota GR Yaris Volkswagen Golf 8 GTI Pcoty ‘22 Electric Shootout Pcoty ‘22 Super Hatch Shootout Pcoty ‘22 Super Saloon Shootout Pcoty '22 Top Three Pcoty ‘22 Winner