Insert caption that will get that terrible Eiffel 65 music caught in your head.
Michael Shaffer/Mercedes-Benz
You’re proper, the 2020 Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagon is not actually any totally different than the automobile I reviewed a few years in the past. And yeah, there is a new one on the way in which. But I actually like 603-horsepower wagons and I’d be an fool to say no when Mercedes-Benz affords me one for per week. Besides, this particular check automobile has just a few cool particulars which are price a fast chat.
LikeAbsolute energy with out corruptionComfortready and practical interiorRobust infotainment tech suiteA complete new world of customization potentialities
Don’t LikeRide high quality is fairly stiffReal-world financial system is predictably poor
For starters, get a load of that coloration. It’s referred to as Steel Blue and till now it was solely accessible on Mercedes’ hard-workin’ Sprinter van. It’s not a part of the AMG E63’s customary coloration palette, as a substitute discovering its strategy to wagon glory by means of the corporate’s Designo Manufaktur customization program.Mercedes-Benz expanded its Designo Manufaktur special-order catalog following a large enhance in demand (like 200%) yr over yr, opening the door for patrons to select from a bevy of personalization potentialities. You can decide something from Mercedes’ present paint catalog, in addition to any coloration it is ever painted any automobile for the reason that 1950s. This is not a completely paint-to-sample course of, so Mercedes cannot color-match the deep purple of the Denny’s sales space the place you contemplated all of your unhealthy selections in highschool, however contemplating maroons have been actually well-liked all through the 1960s and 70s, it’s best to have the ability to get shut. Want your new E63 wagon accomplished up in German taxi beige? No drawback — and kudos, that’ll look superior. Mercedes-Benz will even paint your automobile in a competing producer’s coloration, assuming the opposite firm is not a celebration pooper and says no.
Mercedes-Benz continues to be maintaining the Designo program unique, although, so go forward and cease clutching these pearls. The Manufaktur choices are usually not revealed wherever and there is not an official listing of what is accessible. That additionally means there is not a set value or flat price for all the things, both. In the case of this AMG E63, Steel Blue prices $7,500 and there is a further $3,000 cost for the Designo Manufaktur customized order.This E63’s inside has just a few fancy-pants choices — particularly, the Deep White distinction stitching, which appears nice in opposition to the black Nappa leather-based. There’s an AMG Performance steering wheel with Dinamica suede sections, as effectively. It would not seem to be an enormous updo, however this inside remedy prices $7,780, although there’s additionally a $250 credit score listed on the window sticker for the reason that Manufaktur wheel is not heated for some motive.
The E63’s cabin is cozy and flush with tech.
Michael Shaffer/Mercedes-Benz
Speaking of the wheel, the 2020 E63 will get a brand new one. It has a barely totally different design than earlier than, together with a dial on the appropriate to spin by the assorted driving modes and buttons on the left for the lively exhaust (flip this on) and cease/begin (flip this off). Otherwise, the cabin is identical because it ever was. The seats are cozy; tall adults will match simply effective.
A pair of 12.3-inch shows sit atop the sprint, the left one a reconfigurable gauge cluster, the appropriate one the primary infotainment show. The 2020 E63 is one yr in need of an improve to Mercedes’ new MBUX multimedia software program, however the older COMAND tech is okay. If you’d fairly simply let your telephone do all of the work, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are customary.And hey, it is a wagon, so it is helpful as heck. There’s 35 cubic toes of area behind the rear seats and in case you fold them flat the load space expands to 64 cubes. Sure, an AMG GLE63 SUV will carry extra of no matter you want to lug round, however what the E63 lacks in inside quantity it greater than makes up for in cool issue. That’s the legislation of the station wagon, friendos.Stately property.
Michael Shaffer/Mercedes-Benz
The actual motive you purchase the E63 is as a result of it is a firecracker, due to the hand-built, twin-turbocharged, 4.0-liter V8 underneath the hood. Just as earlier than — and simply as it should proceed to be — the AMG E63 S Wagon makes 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque and sends its energy to all 4 wheels by a nine-speed computerized transmission. The E63 will get Mercedes’ wake-the-neighbors Emotion Start operate this yr, that means the engine is even louder once you hearth it up. The previously non-compulsory efficiency exhaust is customary now, too. Thank god.Launch this large blue boi and it could actually hit 60 mph in simply 3.4 seconds. Muscle automobile metaphors are usually not unwarranted right here; the AMG E63 shoots out of the gate with authority and the ability supply is unrelenting, all 627 lb-ft of torque approaching robust at 2,500 rpm. I’ll admit, it is sort of arduous to not drive this factor like a chotch on a regular basis — that burbly V8 is an actual instigator. And it isn’t like going simple on the throttle will reward you with nice gas financial system anyway, so why trouble? If you are in your greatest conduct, you are taking a look at 16 miles per gallon metropolis, 23 mpg freeway and 19 mpg mixed, however this automobile is manner too entertaining to drive timidly. If you are not going to stomp on it on the common, simply get the still-really-great E450 Wagon (which can also be aware about the Designo Manufaktur program, by the way in which).The air suspension has repeatedly variable damping, however the Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus settings are all fairly stiff. The 20-inch wheels do not actually assist, nor do the 256/35 entrance and 295/30 rear Pirelli P-Zero summer season tires, however I can forgive the sometimes harsh trip high quality contemplating it is an AMG and it sticks like hell in a nook. That mentioned, the brand new Audi RS6 Avant is barely higher damped, even on its absurd 22-inch wheels.I hate to see you go however I really like to observe you permit.
Michael Shaffer/Mercedes-Benz
The quick RS6 is that this Merc’s closest competitor and whereas the Audi is sweet-holy-Christmas good, I’ll give the E63 a slight edge by way of general ferocity. Where the Audi by no means permits you to neglect that Quattro all-wheel drive and rear-axle steering are serving to it carve corners, the Mercedes is way extra playful, for higher or worse. You positively should work more durable to maintain the E63 hustling by tight hairpins, however the tradeoff is a little more wiggle room — actually — once you need the AMG to chop unfastened. Don’t neglect, the E63 comes customary with a Drift Mode that’ll ship 100% of the engine’s energy to the rear wheels for big-time smoky slides, if that is your jam.None of this comes low cost, after all; the 2020 AMG E63 S Wagon begins at $112,745 together with $995 for vacation spot. And cool because the Designo Manufaktur choices are, they’re costly: $18,030 on this check automobile. Once you add on the why-the-hell-isn’t-this-standard-on-my-six-figure-luxury-car Driver Assistance Package (adaptive cruise management, lane-keeping help, blind-spot monitoring, velocity restrict help, lane-change help, steering help, and so forth.), adaptive LED lighting, heated armrests and exterior touches like blacked-out trim and carbon fiber particulars, you wind up at this instance’s not-insignificant $161,355 as-tested value.Then once more, it isn’t like shopping for a 603-hp rah-rah-rah! luxury-performance wagon is precisely a worth play. Unless you are speaking resale, that’s. These issues at all times maintain their worth on the secondhand market and I think about that’ll be very true in case you spec yours with just a few chef’s-kiss Designo Manufaktur touches.