AFFALTERBACH: Mercedes-AMG has given rise to greater practicality for its E63 S sedan – by slapping the badge onto a wagon and gifting it all the necessary goodies to make it worthy – including the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 with 603hp from 5,750 to 6,500rpm.
As in the E63 S sedan, the 3,982cc engine gets managed by an AMG Speedshift Multi-clutch Technology (MCT) 9-speed sports transmission with paddle-shifters before letting loose a maximum of 850Nm of torque from 2,500 to 4,500rpm upon its fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive system (AWD).
The MCT uses a wet clutch in place of the torque converter for weight-savings and better response especially when accelerating, while the AWD system finally has the ability to distribute torque between the wheels at both the front a rear.
The result? Acceleration from 0 to 100kph takes about 3.2 seconds before reaching an electronically limited top speed of 290kph.
As powerful as the engine may seem with an added “Drift Mode”, it does have a more economical side to it with the standard inclusion of a cylinder deactivation system.
Externally for the first time on an AMG wagon, the hood is inset between the fenders and bumper like a coupe’s, while accompanied by 1.1-inch wider wheel arches to accommodate the larger and fatter wheels at the front.
The bumper also exudes a wider approach that seems to take after a jet wing with flics in black and a large front splitter, which allows for the cooling system to slightly peer through.
There are also side sill panels, rear diffuser that’s accompanied by two high-gloss chrome-plated twin tailpipe trims that trumpet off the hallmark AMG V8 sound that has been tuned specifically for the Wagon model.
The E63 S Wagon comes equipped with five different AMG DYNAMIC SELECT drive programs of Comfort, Sport, Sport +, RACE and Individual.
Such modes modify the response of the engine, transmission, suspension, steering, electronic stability programme and all-wheel-drive system.
Aside from the electronics, the German wagon from Stuttgart sits on a three-chamber air suspension system with adaptive damping and has three modes of Comfort, Sport and Sport+.
To further improve the wagon’s traction and vehicle dynamics, it’s been gifted with an electronically controlled rear limited slip differential (LSD) that reduces slip on the inside wheel when cornering without the braking system intervening.
Working in conjunction with the LSD is the three-stage ESP – ESP On, ESP Sport Handling Mode and ESP Off settings.
The wagon also comes with an electromechanical, speed-sensitive sports steering system with a variable ratio and gets adjusted according to the drive mode selected.
To bleed speed, there the fade-resistant AMG high-performance braking system using a set of perforated 15.4-inch (front) and 14.2″ (rear) discs with six-piston (front) and single piston (rear) callipers.
Optionally available is the AMG Ceramic Composite braking system that upsizes the discs to 15.8-inches (front) and 14.2-inches (rear).
Inside, there’s the black nappa leather-wrapped AMG Performance Steering Wheel, front sport seats (optional AMG Performance Seats with integral head restraints).
There are other additional choices available for the interior, such as nappa leather trim for the dashboard and beltlines, seat belts available in crystal grey and a steering wheel with a grey ’12-o’clock’ marking.
As standard, there are dual-12.3-inch digital instrument cluster screens that allow drivers to choose from three display designs of Classic, Sport and Progressive; while the gauges stare back in a carbon-fibre look.
Also included is the semi-automated driving system – Drive Pilot, that’s particularly useful in traffic jams or on routine trips.
The world premiere of the E63 S wagon will take place at the Geneva Motor Show in March, 2017.
“The new AMG E63 Wagon combines our brand’s hallmark driving dynamics with high everyday practicality. The powerful engine and the intelligent all- wheel drive underpin our claim to always be at the forefront of development when it comes to performance,” said Mercedes-AMG CEO Tobias Moers.
Keyword: Mercedes-AMG previews E63 S Wagon ahead of Geneva