What part of 518 hp and 186 mph don't you understand? Oh, and the 7-speed gearbox shifts in just 100 milliseconds.
Think of the possibilities provided by 7 gears and 518 horsepower. (Of course, it helps not to think about the possible fines and points on your license.)
The new Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG is the most powerful model to ever wear the German maker’s midsize badge. In fact, Mercedes officials claim it will outperform the smaller, lighter C63 AMG.
With the delicious brap of its big, 6.3-liter V-8 echoing through the halls of Jacob Javits Center, AMG President Volker Mornhinweg drove a pre-production prototype of the E63 out for its turn in the spotlight, Wednesday – one of an array of new Mercedes products that are staging their premier at the 2009 New York International Auto Show.
The E63 stands in sharp contrast to the rest of the new offerings, primarily a mix of high-mileage diesels, as well as the German marque’s first hybrid-electric vehicle, the ML450.
The Hammer will be the fastest Mercedes midsize sedan ever.
The normally-aspirated V-8 has undergone some fine-tuning before being fitted under the hood of the all-new Mercedes E-Class, notably including tweaks to its intake and exhaust systems that allow bumping the figures that really matter up to 518 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. All that power is directed through the lightning-fast AG Speedshift MCT 7 gearbox.
“This transmission replaces the conventional torque converter through the use of a multi-disc wet start-up clutch,” the automaker explains. “In conjunction with the four individual driving modes, rev-matched shifts and RACE START function, the resulting, direct connection to the powertrain delivers an extremely emotional and high-performance driving experience.”
Translation: a 186 mph top speed and a claimed 0 to 60 time of just 4.4 seconds. Earlier versions of the E-Class AMG were known as “The Hammer.” We have a feeling that nickname will stick to the new model, which – like other recent AMG entries — does away with the supercharger the performance brand-within-a-brand was long known for.
While we doubt many AMG owners are going to make their final buying decision dependent upon mileage numbers, Mornhinweg noted that the E63 should get 12 percent better mileage than the outgoing E-Class AMG. We’ll wait to see what the EPA actually says when the performance sedan rolls into showrooms early next year.
The launch control system helps deliver maximum torque to the pavement, which translates into 0 to 60 in 4.4 seconds.
The E63 uses a new steel spring suspension, up front and a computer-optimized air suspension, in the rear. It offers three distinct settings, from Comfort to Oh-my-God. (Okay, that’s not quite right, but our German is rusty.)
The “base” model will come shod with 18-inch wheels and tires, though 19s will be available.
Expect to find most all the safety, comfort and entertainment systems set to appear on the more conventional versions of the E-Class, which launch in late Summer. That includes everything from the PRE-Safe system to infrared Night View Plus.