Sunday, June 12, 2011

AMG E63

If the Mercedes-Benz AMG E63 was a person it would be a lot like Nathan Buckley. We're talking about a car AMG E63 that's good with a family, pretty mature, intelligent and still able to get up and run. Fast.The AMG E63 belter Benz is not the best looking car on the road, and notably more chunky than the E-Class it replaces with the AMG E63, but it's a great new hero. It shows exactly what AMG E63 can to do make a mid-sized Benz into a thumping go-faster car, without losing the quality and comfort and refinement of the silver star.It's not perfect, but for family motoring with a kick it comes close.

The new AMG E63 is also a long way down the road from the compact C-Class AMG E63, which always feels as if it's going to twist your head around and then rip it off.

This car is just as fast when you ask, but much more restrained when you just need comfortable transport.The heart of the car is still the 6.2-litre AMG E63 V8 engine, with an extra eight kiloWatts of power and a new AMG E63 0-100km/h sprint time of just 4.5 seconds. There is three-stage ESP for sporty driving and steering with a more-direct control.AMG E63 have seven-speed 'speedshift' automatic gearbox, and the transmission controller is new, and identical to the look in the Gullwing, with a choice of four driving modes

AMG E63

Suspension is AMG E63 developed with electronically-controlled damping and a steel-sprung front end and — just like the C63 — the key to its success is unique AMG E63 design work and parts. But the AMG E63 is still a Benz and that means it comes with full leather trim, automatic air-con, no fewer than 11 airbags — and both lane-keeping and blind-spot assistance. The AMG E63 is a belter. Such a fun car, but also refined and luxurious. It is exactly the sort of car that every HSV and FPV buyer in Australia is dreaming about, apart from the price. They get a great deal on their Falcons and Commodores, but the AMG E63 Benz shows the way it can be done.
It helps to start with a car as good as the latest E-Class Mercedes, but AMG E63 makes a big difference with everything from the chassis engineering through to its 386kW engine. Each one is assembled by hand and the mechanic responsible gets to sign the motor.
I decided to take things easy at first in the new AMG E63, leaving all the settings in comfort positions to assess the car. It has more road noise with big Pirelli P-Zero rubber, and there is more thump over road joins, but it's not unpleasant. The AMG E63 car also has a brilliant cabin, helped by terrific sports seats, and it's just as easy to park as a regular E with a huge boot and space for three adults in the back.
But when I decide to get going it . . . goes. The engine responds brilliantly from 2000rpm and full-power upshifts produce a wonderful 'whump' from the exhaust. It's telling you it's keen.

AMG E63

Driving the gearbox as a full manual, with the AMG E63 settings to maximum including the lowered sports suspension, it would take a Porsche to get away from a well-driven AMG E63. And even a poorly-driven one would be way too quick for Australian speed limits. But it's the flick back to comfort that brings me the real surprise, as the car is still swift and nicely relaxing.
I eventually decide the Sport-plus setting is best on the seven-speed gearbox, neatly anticipating the places where I would make a manual shift, with the suspension at soft and the thumping sound system providing a soothing background soundtrack. There is a lot to like about the AMG E63 and only one thing that really grates — the price.
It lifts the bar again on luxury sports sedans and also shows why AMG E63 cars are so good, and so downright popular with muscle car buyers in Australia.