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Mercedes-Benz Australia has dropped the entry price to AMG E63 ownership by $40,000 on the switch to the all-new all-wheel drive model now only months away from launch.
A two-pronged attack on the super sports sedan segment will see both the Mercedes-AMG E63 and E63 S arrive, priced from $209,900 and $239,900 plus on-road costs respectively. Initially only the top model was expected to arrive, given historically there has been a preference for the most powerful, most expensive version among Australian buyers.
2017 Mercedes-AMG E63 S: Everything you need to know
The 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8, nine-speed automatic-equipped duo split their $30K price difference in the areas of both power and equipment. The ‘base’ E63 delivers 420kW from 5750rpm until 6500rpm and 750Nm between 2250rpm and 5000rpm; the E63 S makes 450kW and 850Nm over the same revs.
Standard kit includes AMG 20-inch five-twin-spoke alloy wheels, a mechanical rear limited-slip differential (LSD), chrome exterior design elements and tri-zone climate control. The E63 S adds matte-black forged alloys, ‘night package’ darkened exterior theme, performance seats, Nappa leather dashboard, digital TV tuner and wireless charging.
Other chassis changes to the E63 S include an electronically activated mechanical LSD, a Race setting that can drop the front driveshaft and power only to the rear wheels in concert with a Drift Mode, active engine mounts, switchable exhaust and red-painted brake callipers.
For all that, the E63 S is just 5kg heavier than the base model, at 1955kg. It will also arrive in Australia first, in June 2017, while standard E63 deliveries will start in December 2017.
Mercedes-Benz Australia public relations manager Jerry Stamoulis admitted that while most buyers will continue to go for the E63 S, the E63 reduced the pricing gap from the $159,900 Mercedes-AMG E43 and could tempt punters out of the $189,615 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63.
“Realistically, we see this as three [E-Class] AMG models, the E43, E63 and E63 S,” he told MOTOR.
“Historically buyers of E63 models have leaned towards the top-end model especially from launch, and we expect that to continue with this model. In the previous car [E63] when we had a performance package, we saw that the non-performance package car was 20 per cent of the volume. So we’re not expecting huge numbers from the E63.
With the ageing, formerly $189,900 BMW M5 Pure almost out of the picture, and the Audi RS6 Avant wearing a $245,116 sticker, Stamoulis argued that even with the base E63, “the performance figures put it on a segment on its own.”
Sadly, though, the E63 and E63 S Estate continue to be ruled out for Australia, with the local public relations manager citing extremely low volume of the previous-generation load lugger that made its inclusion in the range impossible to justify.
