AMG E63S 4MATIC+
Absurd power and blistering acceleration on par with supercars are not the E63's only party tricks; thanks to computer magic and an excellent suspension, it's also incredibly agile. Its 603-hp twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 is a sweetheart engine that sounds badass. An available Drift mode turns the E63 into a rear-drive beast. Left in all-wheel drive, it proved to be the fastest sedan we've ever tested in our annual Lightning Lap competition. Combine its amazing performance with superb steering and a luxurious interior, and you get one of our favorite sedans.
As with most mid-size super saloons, the E63 wears its sporty accouterments like a businessman with a wacky tie - everything seems normal, though it is anything but. Look closely and you'll notice this car's wider stance, 20-inch wheels, aggressive fascia, quad-tip exhausts, bronze carbon ceramic brakes, carbon fiber accents, and AMG badges. People who know what this car is will be quick to challenge you at a set of lights, hoping you will indulge their Fast and the Furious Fantasies. Others will simply see a Mercedes E-Class with a flashy color - nothing out of the ordinary.
Driving impression
Under most driving circumstances, the E63 feels remarkably like a standard E-Class. In Comfort mode, you can barely hear the 4.0-liter V8 and the transmission rarely requires a downshift to provide a surge of power. The V8 can even shut down four of its eight cylinders to save fuel and the transmission can decouple to provide smooth deceleration. Sport ended up being my go-to mode, as it shuts off the stop/start, sharpens the accelerator, and dials up the shift speed. Stepping up to Sport+ further increases the car's ferocity, though not enough to really notice it on the street.
Race mode is exactly how it sounds, so you'd better have a track handy to activate it. In Race mode, the car holds gears for as long as possible, stiffens the suspension to its most aggressive setting, and dials back the traction control to allow more wheel slip. Even with AWD, the E63 shimmies when you mash the throttle, reminding you not to take the E63 lightly just because it puts on a friendly facade in Comfort mode.