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Sunday, January 13, 2013
In the high-performance-sedan segment, there is little room for subtleties. More power, more performance, more aggression all are par for the course. The quest for domination leads to ever-more outrageous variations of the family sedan. With the latest E63 AMG, which we’ve already sampled in prototype form, Daimler's performance division has raised this bar once again.
To put that awesome power down, an all-wheel-drive system is standard, making this the first AMG passenger car offered without rear-wheel drive. Other AMG cars will follow in the E63’s footsteps, including the CLS and the next-generation S-class. (In Europe, you will still be able to order a rear-wheel-drive model.) The all-wheel-drive system is rear-biased, with only one-third of the torque going to the front wheels. However, there is—as is always the case in such matters—a weight penalty involved: The all-wheel-drive system adds 154 pounds, according to Benz.
The only available transmission on the E63 AMG remains a seven-speed automatic, and it can be controlled by paddle shifters. The gear shifter is where it belongs—in the center console—and not on the steering column, where it is on every other E-class. The slightly enhanced interior now is graced by a centrally located clock with IWC Schaffhausen branding—a nice touch, even though this must be the least-sophisticated IWC timepiece ever.
The E63's stability-control system offers three modes; most notably, Sport Handling mode will briefly apply the brake of the inside rear wheel to counter any understeer. The suspension—sprung with steel in front, air in the rear—can move through three settings: Comfort, Sport, and Sport Plus. The S model adds a limited-slip rear differential. Wide 255/35 front and 285/30 rear tires on 19-inch wheels are standard on both versions; carbon-ceramic brakes are available only on the S model.
Thanks to: Car and Driver
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