The greatest model of Mercedes-AMG’s uber E-Class is again and largely higher than ever. Meet the 2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagon. It’s packing greater than 600 horsepower and all-wheel drive. It handles like a dream whereas boasting extra cargo house than many SUVs. And, in my instance’s Pure Blue Magno satin-finish paint, it is a damn-near-perfect super-sport wagon.For 2021, Mercedes’ hottest E-Class wagon will get a contact of rhinoplasty with a restyled entrance bumper and splitter, in addition to tweaks to the AMG-specific grille. The LED headlamps additionally obtain the identical reshaping seen all through the 2021 E-Class lineup.
2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagon is a fantastic blue beast
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Aside from a number of new paint colours, the remainder of the E63 property’s physique is basically untouched. The new hues embody Graphite Grey metallic, Cirrus Silver metallic and my private favourite, Designo Brilliant Blue Magno with its satin end. The semi-matte paint requires a bit extra care when detailing, however the look is completely value it.
The 197.1-inch lengthy E63 boasts 35 cubic ft of cargo capability with its rear seats upright, increasing to round 64 cubes when folded flat. From the driving force’s seat and second row, the top, shoulder and legroom are all about similar to (and as spacious as) that of the AMG E63 sedan I examined final 12 months.The entire package rides atop staggered 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 265/35ZR20 entrance and 295/30ZR20 rear Pirelli tires. A revised AMG Sport Suspension with Air Body Control dampers has settings for Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus and Track. Interestingly, whereas the trip will get noticeably extra responsive between the varied modes, it does not really feel any extra harsh. I’m in a position to trip round comfortably in Sport Plus all day lengthy, even over a few of the extra poorly maintained street surfaces in my space.
At evening, the E-Class’ leather-based and carbon fiber are highlighted by customizable ambient lighting.
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Luxurious appointments meet motorsport-inspired model within the E63’s cabin. My instance mates new Titanium Grey Nappa leather-based upholstery with non-compulsory AMG carbon fiber trim, punctuated with contrasting yellow stitching by day and an intensive and customizable ambient lighting system by evening.
Ahead of the driving force’s seat is a brand new AMG Sport steering wheel with a split-spoke format. I like the suede texture and flat-bottom hoop design, and I particularly take pleasure in the brand new AMG Drive Unit controls. These two OLED pods reside on the wheel’s 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock positions. You can twist the best ring to shortly choose one of many E63’s drive modes — Snow, Individual, Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus and Track — and customise the left with toggles for a wide range of automobile programs, together with suspension settings, transmission modes, stability management programming, efficiency exhaust sound and extra.I’m not a fan of the brand new capacitive infotainment thumb controls, which fellow Roadshow editor Steven Ewing additionally complained about throughout his time with the E450 All-Terrain. These capacitive pads on the wheel’s left and proper spokes enable drivers to swipe and faucet to regulate the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and the MBUX infotainment system with out letting go of the wheel. The resized touchable areas at the moment are a lot smaller than earlier than to accommodate the wheel’s split-spoke design. This could make it tough to carry out exact inputs and sometimes detects vertical swipes when I’m making an attempt to go horizontal. It’s irritating, particularly since I’m an enormous fan of the outdated, bigger thumb pads. You’ll absolutely get the cling of it after some time, however I did not fall in love with this element throughout my few days of testing.Drivers are in a position to customise the game wagon’s efficiency whereas maintaining palms on the wheel with the brand new OLED AMG Drive Unit selectors.
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Fortunately, I’m spoiled for alternative with methods to work together with the MBUX infotainment system. Aside from the thumb pads, there’s the big haptic contact pad on the middle console. The 12.3-inch major show itself can be contact delicate with a proximity sensor that enlarges the house display icon you are about to pick out when it detects your hand approaching. Finally, there’s the “Hey, Mercedes” voice command suite. The hotword detection appears to have improved since my final go along with MBUX, with not a single false constructive detection throughout your entire week of testing.As a complete, the brand new MBUX tech is a good enchancment over the E-Class’ outdated COMAND system, with wonderful augmented actuality navigation, commonplace Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and a menu construction that, whereas advanced, is neatly organized. I’d advocate you get acquainted with programming generally accessed options to the favorites menu and establishing some themes earlier than hitting the street. MBUX additionally has AMG Performance and AMG Track Pace pages for monitoring automobile efficiency knowledge and saving race observe maps, lap occasions and extra.Finally, my E63 tester contains a full suite of Mercedes’ driver-assistance applied sciences together with full-speed adaptive cruise management with stop-and-go help, a remarkably refined lane-keeping steering help system with lane-change help, automated emergency braking help, blind-spot monitoring and extra. New for 2021 is a Parking Package which provides surround-view cameras to help with precision parking.I do know why you are actually right here and don’t be concerned, the 603-horsepower biturbo V8 is simply as candy as ever.
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The E63’s major attraction is the handcrafted, 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V8 engine beneath its hood. Mated with a nine-speed, dual-clutch transmission and commonplace rear-biased all-wheel drive, this engine splits 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque between all 4 contact patches. Of course, for those who’d desire, there’s nonetheless the hidden Drift Mode that locks the E63 S Wagon in full rear-wheel drive for large, smoky drifts and burnouts.Launching in its sportiest all-wheel-drive setting, the E63 S Wagon will hit 60 mph in simply 3.4 seconds earlier than persevering with on to its electronically restricted 180-mph v-max. All the whereas, the AMG Performance exhaust roars with a satisfying tone and punctuates every shift with pops and burbles.As good as it’s, the fantastic thing about the E63 isn’t its overwhelming energy. Rather, it is how the entire efficiency comes collectively. From the constant and highly effective stopping power of the non-compulsory carbon-ceramic brakes to the steering’s completely weighted really feel to the properly tuned air suspension, the E63 is a remarkably balanced trip.The actual great thing about the E63 S Wagon is simply how balanced and versatile this highly effective grand tourer is in nearly any driving state of affairs.
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The 2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagon begins at $113,500 together with within the required $1,050 vacation spot cost. That’s a rise of about $700 over final 12 months, which I believe is justified by additional commonplace gear just like the AMG Drive Unit controls and MBUX tech. Optioned up with practically the entire driver-assistance, lighting, model and cabin tech choices in Mercedes’ arsenal, my instance arrives with a $141,050 as-tested worth.The E63 S Wagon arrives in US dealerships later this 12 months, simply in time to do battle with Audi’s RS6 Avant, the considerably costlier Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo and… effectively, that is about it. There aren’t many wagons left for American patrons to select from, not to mention super-sport wagons like this AMG. That makes the E63 S Wagon a little bit of a unicorn, and one value saving. It’s not simply the final of a dying breed, it is also among the best.