cars news 10: 2018 Mercedes-AMG E63, E63S Unveiled Ahead of L.A. Debut

Anticipation for the 2018 Mercedes-AMG E63 sedan began building as soon as Stuttgart unveiled the tenth-generation E-Class this past January at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show. We’ve finally gotten a look at the new hot sedan ahead of its debut at the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show, as well as the hotter-still 2018 E63 S, as more details continue to come out.

On the outside, both flavors of the 2018 E63 receive a sportier hood than the outgoing E63. Wheel arches are slightly wider by 0.67 inches and the new radiator grille now has twin louvers in silver chrome with vertical black struts. There is also subtle AMG badging, a wide front bumper, and a big front splitter for better cooling. Inserts in silver chrome on the E63 S will help tell it apart from lesser E63 models. The inside receives a subtle blast of color that ripples from the doors across the dash and around the console. It brightens up the moody, modern cabin and looks really cool.

2018 Mercedes AMG E63 S front three quarters 1

2018 Mercedes AMG E63 S rear three quarters in motion

But of course, the most interesting – and most important – details are under the hood. In the E63 S, the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 and its twin-scroll turbochargers put out a thundering 603 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of tire-shredding torque; zero to 60 mph takes only 3.3 seconds and top speed is electronically limited to 186 mph. The “regular” E63 is no slouch either with 563 hp and 553 lb-ft on tap. It will still get you to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds before topping out at 155 mph. The engine is also fitted with a cylinder deactivation system, which switches off cylinders two, three, five, and eight under partial load to save a few drops of fuel.

Also new is the AMG Speedshift MCT, a nine-speed automatic transmission that uses a wet start-off clutch instead of a torque converter, providing shorter shift times. As was rumored, the E63 is now only available in all-wheel-drive, with both models receiving the new AMG Performance 4MATIC+ system. “Torque distribution on the front and rear axles is fully variable for the first time and ensures optimum traction right up to the physical limit,” says Mercedes. One trick enabled by this fully variable torque distribution is the E63 S’ new Drift Mode, which is activated by deactivating the Electronic Stability Program. Also, both sedans get a redesigned AMG sport suspension that keeps the car stable for even more spirited cornering speeds.

An exclusive E63 S “Edition 1” in Night Black Magno with 20-inch AMG wheels and a special “Night” package will make its world debut at the L.A. auto show on November 16. The special edition includes performance seats in black nappa leather with yellow stitching, carbon fiber trim bits and other exclusive goodies. Following its debut in Los Angeles, the 2018 Mercedes-AMG E63 Sedan will go on sale in the summer of 2017.