2012 Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG pricing announced

Article
Gallery

By Alborz Fallah | October 19th, 2011

With the release date of the new BMW M5 getting closer, Mercedes-Benz is gearing up to retaliate with the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG Saloon and Estate.

The updated models have been enhanced with the company’s new 5.5-litre biturbo V8, replacing the much-loved 6.2-litre V8. In ‘standard’ guise, power remains at 386kW whilst torque has increased from 630Nm to 700Nm. Prices for the new E 63 AMG remain the same despite the engine update (from $240,985).

If you’re buying a Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG, chances are you want a seriously fast but practical Saloon or Estate. In which case you’re unlikely to resist the optional AMG performance package. Yes, it’s a relatively expensive option ($17,900 for saloon and $16,900 for estate) but that gets you past the magic 400kW mark to a very healthy 410kW. Torque is also substantially increased to 800Nm.

For those that are happy with ‘just’ 386kW and 700Nm, your E 63 AMG Saloon will push its power to the rear-wheels and take you from a standstill to 100km/h in 4.3 seconds (4.4 seconds for Estate) but if you absolutely must have the best, the near 20g AMG performance package will cut those times down by 0.1 seconds respectively. So you can either buy an AMG performance package enhanced E 63 AMG or a ‘standard’ E 63 AMG and a Suzuki Swift for the same coin! We’d still pick the AMG performance package.

From the outside you can pick the new biturbo E 63 AMG thanks to its V8 BITURBO badging, wider front wings and new 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels in a 10-spoke design (255/R35 R 19 front and 285/30 R 19 rear). The interior gains a few updates here and there but the new three-spoke AMG performance steering wheel with a flattened top and bottom (taken from the CLS 63 AMG), is sure to be a hit. The CLS 63 AMG also donates its three-dimensional full-colour TFT display for the updated E 63.

It’s pretty obvious that Mercedes-Benz wants to take a bit of fire out of the M5’s unveiling. The new 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 in the BMW M5 has 412kW and 680Nm of torque, performing the 0-100km/h dash in 4.4 seconds. Making these two rival German super-saloons almost identical in performance capability.

Fuel consumption has also been noticeably decreased in the new E 63 AMG, with the figure dropping to 10L/100km (down from 12.7L/100km), about the same as the new M5. That’s partially due to the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission and the car’s start/stop system (standard).

What the M5 is not going to offer at launch is a wagon variant. Since the last Audi RS6 Estate left the showrooms, families in need of a ballistics family wagon have been left hanging – but Mercedes-Benz has answered their cries with the E 63 AMG Estate, offering practicality and extreme performance in one package.

Additional new feature in the updated E 63 model include AMG RIDE CONTROL sports suspension and electromechanical AMG speed-sensitive sports steering. Ride control sees a redesigned front axle that widens the E 63’s track by 56mm for better front negative camber. There is also the addition of steel suspension struts on the front axle and air suspension struts for the rear. The auto dampening system will adjust to driving conditions based on road quality and selected mode (comfort, sport, sport plus). The new steering system has a 14:1 direct ratio with power assistance that is adaptable based on the suspension mode selected. It’s also smart enough to save battery power when unused.

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG with the new 5.5-litre bitrubo will be available for sale at the beginning of November.

Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG Saloon: $240,985 (MRLP)
Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG Estate: $244,500 (MRLP)
AMG Performance package: $17,900 (Saloon) $16,900 (Estate)

Read our review of the previous model: Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG Review

crouchy

In love with that steering wheel!

Smoothcall

You need to get out more often

HJP

I would take E63 AMG with performance package rather than the new M5. E63 has better looks.
Harry

I don’t want this particular car, but man to be able to afford one would be great! Now I get the 99% movement.

JD

move to USA, you can buy this car, for the equivalent of purchasing an E250 CGI here

David

Nobody buys in the USA, everyone leases. Basically what we would call “renting” here in Australia.

Peter

but the interest rates are next to nothing there, we just get shafted on price and on interest >o<
DLR1

Not quite correct David, it’s like a lease here, you still have to worry about mileage,condition, residual payout ect. You cant just go and rent one and hand it back, you still need to cover the pay out at end of lease, if the value of what you buy tanks over the term of the lease you need to pay the shortfall, most re-lease or refinace into another vehicle. You only get to walk away if the value of the car is the same or more than the balloon payout.

Adam

So why do I see Asians in these already in Sydney Cbd??
Garry

M5 will smoke this in the handling stakes.

http://Porsche MB

I’m an MB driver thru & thru I’ve had a E36 M3 (new) but after purchasing a Mercedes a few years back I will not go back to a M series car.

I’ve driven all sorts of BMW’s & Mercedes Benz back to back and have swapped cars on track days (C63 – M3 V8) IMO the M has the advantedge on the track (especially the corners and a little later braking, but the AMG’s have I in the straights Sandown) But everyday driving is what cars are for the AMG’s have it over the M’s. The only place the M is better is the twisties…but unlees you live on the Black Spur it matters little.

Resale on AMG versus M’s should be taken into consideration too the AMG cars seem to hold there price better…..the Tmpe Tyre spec 318is M3 tributes dont help the cause…the young crew dont tend to ‘modify’ the Mercs like the BMW’s.

Luke

Surfwagon!
Runnaln

US Price is less than $87,000.00 so who gets the other $154k

http://Porsche MB

Would people please stop saying I can purchase this car elsewhere for less…..or just p*@# off and purchase the car there and stay there while you are at it.

Every time a Euro car comes up someone always brings this up…..how come I can purchase a SLK 250 in NZ but not in Australia until early 2012 ?

Yes the tax sucks, can we avoid it…no. Be grateful you (me) are in a position to afford such a car(s).

Runnaln

MB tax is not what people are complaining about, Please explain in deatail where the $157,000 extra comes from assuming a price of 80,000 various taxes bring it a maximum of $120,000 so that is still another $120,000 of extra profit to explain. If we could buy them overseas and bring them back (after paying taxes) MB and the others would not get away with the prices they charge. Unfortunatly this is not allowed. (By the Govmnt.) Given that the Govmnt seem unlikely to allow personal or parallell commercial import, then many feel that the only way to resolve this is to keep highlighting the issue, and when people keep coming into dealerships and say please explain the diffrence, maybe just maybe the importers will be forced to act.