2012 Mercedes E63 AMG with twin-turbo V8
Mercedes has given the 2012 E63 AMG a heart transplant with the new 5.5 litre twin-turbo V8. All the better to take on the new M5. And the Jaguar XKR-S
It’s always the same; however hard we try there’s always something of proper interest that slips through the net when there’s a motor show on, and this time there’s likely to be more as New York and Shanghai are in full swing at the same time.
Excuses out of the way, we thought we ought to take a look at the 2012 Mercedes E63 AMG, which has had a heart transplant to get Mercedes’ latest 5.5 litre twin-turbo V8. Out goes the naturally aspirated 6.2 litre V8 and in comes the forced-induction jobbie, promising more torque and much better economy.
Exactly two years on from its launch at the 2009 New York Motor Show, the E63 AMG joins the S63 AMG and CLS63 AMG in getting Mercedes latest powerplant, which offers slightly fewer horses in standard guise – down 5bhp – but which is more than compensated for by the extra dose of the twisty stuff – 52lb/ft – to give figures of 511bhp and 516lb/ft.
What that means is 0-60mph in 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 155mph. If that’s not enough, you can opt for the AMG Performance Pack, which turns up the boost and will up the power to 542bhp, the torque to 590lb/ft, the top speed to 186mph and drop the 0-60mph by a tenth to 4.3 seconds.
The new engine is shoved through the same Speedshift MCT seven-speed ‘box as before, but Mercedes has thrown in a stop-start system which, in conjunction with the more efficient twin-turbo lump, improves economy by 22%. You can, you’ll be pleased to know, turn the stop-start off by pressing the ECO button (I know, but this is 2011).
Mercedes say they’ve also significantly upgraded the interior as well as fitting the new V8 Turbo, but as far as we can work out that means just a modified steering wheel, ali shifters and a 3D TFT in the middle of the speedo.
With the BMW M5 arriving soon – and the possibility of a Jaguar XFR-S at some point – this is probably a wise move by Mercedes to put their latest powerplant in the E63. Shame is, it probably doesn’t sound half as good as the old E55 AMG when you give it the beans.
But that’s progress for you.
percy says
You are so right with the noise the old supercharger 5.5 used to make. Nothing in a mainstream car comes close anymore. That said, the promise of better economy on the new E63 AMG probably makes it a compromise worth making. The Merc E55 AMG was not particularly parsimonious with petrol.