2009 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG
Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG - What the Auto Press Says
A long-time favorite of old money, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class makes boring family sedans a thing of the past with its highly exclusive and extremely capable E63 AMG sports sedan.
Model Overview
The E63 AMG is a performance-tuned variant of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan, which reigns supreme among luxury large cars for being as safe, steady and reliable as it is opulent. While the base E-Class sedan is already appreciated for its competent handling dynamics, the E63 AMG takes performance to an entirely new level.
The 2009 E63 AMG features a mind-blowing 507-horsepower V8 engine that's mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission.
- "Although it costs more than its peers, a combination of agreeable driving dynamics, numerous safety and luxury features, and high style make the 2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class one of our favorites." -- Edmunds
- "Arguably the ultimate sports sedan, the E63 is perfectly adept at coddling drivers and occupants, out-accelerating a Porsche, and running full-tilt at a track. Although it is expensive, the rush of the V-8 and the roar of the exhaust alone are worth the price of admission." -- Car and Driver
The Bottom Line
The 2009 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG is the full package -- a family-friendly sedan that's luxurious and sporty too. And not just that oh-its-zippy type of sportiness, but real, unadulterated 507-horses-of-power sporty. If you've got the money and are in the market for an exclusive family sedan that's got the chops to keep pace with the big boys, this is your ride.
Note, however, that the Mercedes-Benz E-Class will be redesigned in 2010 -- so waiting a few more months for the latest-greatest model might not be such a bad idea, especially since it reportedly offers even more horsepower.
Performance Dynamics
Test drivers find that the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG lives up to its classification as a sports sedan - providing abundant power, fast acceleration and superb handling dynamics.
The E63 AMG features an AMG-built 6.3-liter V8 engine that produces 507 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 465 pound-feet of torque at 5,200 rpm. An AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS seven-speed automatic transmission is standard. According to Mercedes-Benz, the E63 AMG has a top speed of 155 mph and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. The EPA reports that it nets a city/highway fuel economy of 13/20 mpg.
The rear-wheel drive E63 AMG features rack-and-pinion power steering and a sports suspension system with AMG shock absorbers and stabilizers, as well as AIRMATIC DC, which adjusts air spring tuning to enhance handling dynamics. Also standard is a high-performance AMG braking system with six-piston calipers in the front and four-piston calipers in the back.
- "The E63 AMG is a high-performance model powered by a 6.2-liter V8 that makes 507 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque. It's mated to a seven-speed Speedshift transmission, which can change gears 50 percent faster than transmissions in other E-Class models. In performance testing, the E63 went from zero to 60 in an impressive 4.3 seconds." -- Edmunds
- "You could say that AMG's first-ever in-house engine, which provides the motive power for the E63 AMG, is losing some of its luster, since Mercedes has made one of these 6.2-liter V-8s available for just about every model in its lineup. But we wouldn't care if Mercedes put one into every single car it builds, it's that good." -- Road and Track
- "The seven-speed transmission is nearly transparent in its operation, and a quicker steering ratio provides a more responsive feel. Stop-and-go driving is noticeably smoother thanks to retirement of the grabby electrohydraulic brake system that plagued the E-Class from 2003 to 2006." -- Kelley Blue Book
- "Okay, lots of power, lots of go, no surprise there. But the surprise - a pleasant one - lay in the distinction between the standard Mercedes Airmatic suspension and the AMG-tuned Airmatic suspension. Wow. With the stability control turned off, the Benz could be pitched and tossed and power-oversteered without intervention. Think high-end drift car." -- Car and Driver
