Mercedes-AMG unveils M5-poaching E63 and E63 S

MERCEDES-BENZ has unveiled the latest version of its M5-baiting E63 and E63 S, both of which have been treated to extensive tech and styling upgrades as per the rest of the E-Class range.

Starting at the front, the rabid flagships have been treated to a muscular new look headlined by the new the AMG-specific radiator grille, flatter LED multi-beam headlights and redesigned front apron now featuring bigger air intakes.

The overall look of aggression is further enhanced by 27mm wider front wheelarches which house a wider front track while the now signature power-domes on the bonnet also make a return.

A subtle new integrated front splitter has also been added not only to up the visual ante but also reduce front-end lift, resulting in more high-speed stability and more grip.

The rear end has been treated to a similar styling makeover, now featuring narrower but longer tail-lights and redesigned rear apron now housing dual 90mm exhaust tips and a subtly restyled diffuser.

Under the power-domed bonnet still resides the formidable twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine, stilled pegged at 450kW/850Nm in E63 S guise and 420kW/750Nm for the ‘regular’ E63.

Power is still sent to all four wheels courtesy of AMG’s 4Matic+ system via the same nine-speed automatic gearbox as before.

The interior has also been treated to something of a makeover with the addition of an all-new AMG Performance steering wheel with “hands-on” sensors in the rim and integrated touch-sensitive buttons.

In explaining the new steering wheel, Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific media relations and product communications manager Ryan Lewis said the hands-on function was “a step forward for the functionality” of the brand’s semi-autonomous driving aids.

The wheel itself is available in either leather, Dinamica microfibre or as a combination of both depending on customer preference.

The other major change included in the facelift is the upgrading of the MBUX infotainment system which now forgoes the old rotary dial in favour of a new touchpad.

The system’s “Hey Mercedes” voice-recognition function has also been tweaked to be more responsive and less formal in a bid to “reinforce the emotional tie between the customer and MBUX as a personal assistant”.

While both the E63 and E63 S have been updated and revealed, the former even in wagon form, Mr Lewis confirmed that only the full-fruit S model will be headed Down Under with no plans of offering a hot E-Class wagon.

“Buyers looking for this level of performance in a wagon form factor have been moving toward the GLE63 S, of which a new version is also soon to arrive,” he said.

Both the new E63 S and GLE63 S are slated to arrive here in the fourth quarter of the year, coincidently the same rough ETA as the refreshed BMW M5 Competition.

The E-Class ranked as the second-best selling car of its segment through the first five months of 2020 with 235 sales to the end of May, just 27 less than the BMW 5 Series.

These figures equate to a 34.6 per cent and 37.1 per cent share respectively of the $70,000+ large sedan segment.