Zafiro
Supreme Roadmaster
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We drive Merc's 378kW AMG flat out!
by John Oxley
16/05/2006 07:46
Take a thrilling spin with us in the all-new Mercedes E63 AMG... We got to drive it first!
"Why have you slowed down?" came the low, growling voice from the right hand seat. "Have you wimped out?"
We had just entered the German autobahn, and after looking for a gap I had darted across to the overtaking lane, which was empty, and floored the throttle.
Scant seconds later the engine started to misfire a bit, as if there wasn't enough fuel getting through.
Problem? No, in that short time - and I'm talking less than 20 seconds - we had leapt from around 80 km/h to the electronically limited 250 km/h.
It didn't feel like it, and the car seemed good for at least another 50 km/h.
But we were up against the electronic stops, and that was that. My colleague could complain as much as he liked, but flat-out is flat-out.
That's the reality of the latest powerhouse from Mercedes-Benz, the E 63 AMG four door sedan and its sporty cousin, the CLS 63 AMG four door coupe.
2 000 changes
I've already told you about the latest E-Class models and the fact that they have more than 2 000 new parts, making this newest range more than just a facelift, and these changes apply just as much to the AMG versions, the E 63 sedan and estate, and the CLS.
I didn't drive the E 63T AMG wagon, but I DID drive the new E 500T estate, which, with 285 kW, gets a lot closer to the power of the old E 55 AMG's 350 kW, and sprints from rest to 100 km/h in just 5.3 seconds.
As with all Mercedes-Benz cars (except the SLR) top speed is limited to 250 km/h.
Performance on the E 500T estate, as to be expected, is stunning - but handling, as often happens with a station wagon, which has to balance the diverse needs of people and load carrying, is a bit of a compromise.
Still good, but not GREAT.
However, the same can't be said for the E 63 AMG.
Taut as a clock spring, but not at all wound up, this is a rocket ship of a car.
And it's not just about out-and-out power.
The car accelerates from 0-100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds, which is 0.2 seconds quicker than the supercharged E 55 AMG.
Mid-range grunt
However, with massive torque of 630 Nm (maxing at 5 200 r/min) and the seven-speed auto gearbox, it has tremendous mid-range acceleration combined with BIG improvements in fuel economy over the E55.
With a combined EU petrol thirst of 14.5 litres/100 km it's certainly still no fuel-sipper, but E55 owners will tell you that's mild...
While the E 55 was derived from the "cooking" E 500 V8, the 6.3-litre unit is brand new.
Developed completely independently by AMG, the high-performance engine has around 20% more torque than comparable naturally aspirated engines in this output class.
Made from high-strength aluminium, the AMG V8 features a number of technologies borrowed from motor sport, highlighting the racing tradition of AMG.
And it REVS.
Get into most V8s, and they start to run out of steam around the 6 000 mark, if you're lucky.
But the AMG motor whips around to 7 000 r/min with alacrity, at which point the sound - what little there is of it that permeates into the cabin - is pure delight.
Though not the biggest on the road, the E-Class is no wilting violet of a car, with lots of room for five adults (it's Germany's most popular taxi) and their luggage. So does it handle?
The answer is yes, yes, and another yes for good luck.
The E55 could catch you unawares if you weren't careful, especially if you managed to get one rear wheel on looser stuff than the other.
New brakes
But this latest version is equipped with AMG sports suspension as well as a high-performance AMG braking system.
The new sports suspension, based on the semi-active AIRMATIC DC air suspension with adaptive damping system, sees both the springs and the shock absorbers significantly stiffened.
In addition, changed characteristics for the three stages of the AMG shock absorbers mean body movements are reduced.
Because of the automatically self-levelling suspension on all wheels spring travel is always the same even when the vehicle is fully loaded. In addition, thicker stabilisers help reduce body roll when cornering at high speeds.
So you get great handling - and it's not too bumpy, either - yet by touching the button on the between-seats console you can immediately change from race track firm to boulevard spring mattress.
And those brakes!
The E 63 and its cousin the CLS 63 feature a new high-performance composite brake system at the front, with internally ventilated perforated brake discs all around.
This is coupled with 8.5 and 9.5-inch wide (front/rear) titanium grey high-sheen 18-inch AMG light-alloy wheels in a new five-spoke design fitted with 255/40 and 285/35 tyres respectrively.
And unlike other Merc models, which still retain some semblance of stability control even when the ESP button is off, on the AMG versions "Off" means just that.
Best left for those with the skills of Kimi Raikonnen...
Earlier I mentioned the gearbox.
7-speed gearbox
The AMG SPEEDSHIFT 7G-TRONIC offers full automatic or manual, the latter using the central gear lever or the new aluminium gearshift paddles which replace the buttons used on the E 55.
The 7-speed automatic system adapts itself to driving style - be it dynamic or more laid-back.
Accessible via a switch in the centre console, the driving modes "S" (Sport), "C" (Comfort) and "M" (Manual) each have different gearshift characteristics and speeds.
Gear-changing time in "S" mode is about 30% faster than in "C" mode - and in "M" mode it is up to around 50% quicker.
If manual mode ("M") is selected, the driver also benefits from the V8 engine's immense pulling power, since automatic downshifts are prevented, even at full load or when the kickdown position is reached.
In other words, the driver can be sure that the selected gear will remain engaged.
Selecting manual mode also prevents the 'box from performing an automatic upshift when the engine speed limit for a particular gear is reached.
Styling
So what about styling?
Both the E 63 and the CLS get a contoured front apron with large air inlets and circular fog lamps, side skirts, and a distinctive rear apron with the traditional AMG design.
On the E 63 the radiator grille has four silver-painted louvres as well as "6.3 AMG" lettering on the front wings; the CLS gets three louvres.
An especially sexy feature on the E 63 is the "shark's gills" hot air outlets just ahead of the front wheel arches.
Both sedan and coupe get an integrated AMG spoiler lip on the boot lid which reduces lift acting on the rear axle by about 30%, giving driving stability at high speeds.
The E 63 gets quad round exhaust pipes; the CLS gets twin chromed oval pipes.
Inside both cars are AMG sports seats with AMG upholstery piping and perforation pattern with double stitching.
In addition they are equipped with seat heating, an AMG nameplate, and Alcantara inserts at shoulder level to give more lateral support while cornering at higher speeds.
There's also top-quality nappa leather in three different colour combinations on all seats, the door centre panels and at the centre armrest; the AMG sports steering wheel with gearshift; chrome-plated door sill panels bearing the AMG logo; and the AMG instrument cluster with its 320 km/h speedometer.
So, now for the million rand question? When are they getting here, and how much will they be?
Expect prices to range between R900 000 and just under R1-million, depending on the model.
And they're likely here in the third quarter of this year.
by John Oxley
16/05/2006 07:46
Take a thrilling spin with us in the all-new Mercedes E63 AMG... We got to drive it first!
"Why have you slowed down?" came the low, growling voice from the right hand seat. "Have you wimped out?"
We had just entered the German autobahn, and after looking for a gap I had darted across to the overtaking lane, which was empty, and floored the throttle.
Scant seconds later the engine started to misfire a bit, as if there wasn't enough fuel getting through.
Problem? No, in that short time - and I'm talking less than 20 seconds - we had leapt from around 80 km/h to the electronically limited 250 km/h.
It didn't feel like it, and the car seemed good for at least another 50 km/h.
But we were up against the electronic stops, and that was that. My colleague could complain as much as he liked, but flat-out is flat-out.
That's the reality of the latest powerhouse from Mercedes-Benz, the E 63 AMG four door sedan and its sporty cousin, the CLS 63 AMG four door coupe.
2 000 changes
I've already told you about the latest E-Class models and the fact that they have more than 2 000 new parts, making this newest range more than just a facelift, and these changes apply just as much to the AMG versions, the E 63 sedan and estate, and the CLS.
I didn't drive the E 63T AMG wagon, but I DID drive the new E 500T estate, which, with 285 kW, gets a lot closer to the power of the old E 55 AMG's 350 kW, and sprints from rest to 100 km/h in just 5.3 seconds.
As with all Mercedes-Benz cars (except the SLR) top speed is limited to 250 km/h.
Performance on the E 500T estate, as to be expected, is stunning - but handling, as often happens with a station wagon, which has to balance the diverse needs of people and load carrying, is a bit of a compromise.
Still good, but not GREAT.
However, the same can't be said for the E 63 AMG.
Taut as a clock spring, but not at all wound up, this is a rocket ship of a car.
And it's not just about out-and-out power.
The car accelerates from 0-100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds, which is 0.2 seconds quicker than the supercharged E 55 AMG.
Mid-range grunt
However, with massive torque of 630 Nm (maxing at 5 200 r/min) and the seven-speed auto gearbox, it has tremendous mid-range acceleration combined with BIG improvements in fuel economy over the E55.
With a combined EU petrol thirst of 14.5 litres/100 km it's certainly still no fuel-sipper, but E55 owners will tell you that's mild...
While the E 55 was derived from the "cooking" E 500 V8, the 6.3-litre unit is brand new.
Developed completely independently by AMG, the high-performance engine has around 20% more torque than comparable naturally aspirated engines in this output class.
Made from high-strength aluminium, the AMG V8 features a number of technologies borrowed from motor sport, highlighting the racing tradition of AMG.
And it REVS.
Get into most V8s, and they start to run out of steam around the 6 000 mark, if you're lucky.
But the AMG motor whips around to 7 000 r/min with alacrity, at which point the sound - what little there is of it that permeates into the cabin - is pure delight.
Though not the biggest on the road, the E-Class is no wilting violet of a car, with lots of room for five adults (it's Germany's most popular taxi) and their luggage. So does it handle?
The answer is yes, yes, and another yes for good luck.
The E55 could catch you unawares if you weren't careful, especially if you managed to get one rear wheel on looser stuff than the other.
New brakes
But this latest version is equipped with AMG sports suspension as well as a high-performance AMG braking system.
The new sports suspension, based on the semi-active AIRMATIC DC air suspension with adaptive damping system, sees both the springs and the shock absorbers significantly stiffened.
In addition, changed characteristics for the three stages of the AMG shock absorbers mean body movements are reduced.
Because of the automatically self-levelling suspension on all wheels spring travel is always the same even when the vehicle is fully loaded. In addition, thicker stabilisers help reduce body roll when cornering at high speeds.
So you get great handling - and it's not too bumpy, either - yet by touching the button on the between-seats console you can immediately change from race track firm to boulevard spring mattress.
And those brakes!
The E 63 and its cousin the CLS 63 feature a new high-performance composite brake system at the front, with internally ventilated perforated brake discs all around.
This is coupled with 8.5 and 9.5-inch wide (front/rear) titanium grey high-sheen 18-inch AMG light-alloy wheels in a new five-spoke design fitted with 255/40 and 285/35 tyres respectrively.
And unlike other Merc models, which still retain some semblance of stability control even when the ESP button is off, on the AMG versions "Off" means just that.
Best left for those with the skills of Kimi Raikonnen...
Earlier I mentioned the gearbox.
7-speed gearbox
The AMG SPEEDSHIFT 7G-TRONIC offers full automatic or manual, the latter using the central gear lever or the new aluminium gearshift paddles which replace the buttons used on the E 55.
The 7-speed automatic system adapts itself to driving style - be it dynamic or more laid-back.
Accessible via a switch in the centre console, the driving modes "S" (Sport), "C" (Comfort) and "M" (Manual) each have different gearshift characteristics and speeds.
Gear-changing time in "S" mode is about 30% faster than in "C" mode - and in "M" mode it is up to around 50% quicker.
If manual mode ("M") is selected, the driver also benefits from the V8 engine's immense pulling power, since automatic downshifts are prevented, even at full load or when the kickdown position is reached.
In other words, the driver can be sure that the selected gear will remain engaged.
Selecting manual mode also prevents the 'box from performing an automatic upshift when the engine speed limit for a particular gear is reached.
Styling
So what about styling?
Both the E 63 and the CLS get a contoured front apron with large air inlets and circular fog lamps, side skirts, and a distinctive rear apron with the traditional AMG design.
On the E 63 the radiator grille has four silver-painted louvres as well as "6.3 AMG" lettering on the front wings; the CLS gets three louvres.
An especially sexy feature on the E 63 is the "shark's gills" hot air outlets just ahead of the front wheel arches.
Both sedan and coupe get an integrated AMG spoiler lip on the boot lid which reduces lift acting on the rear axle by about 30%, giving driving stability at high speeds.
The E 63 gets quad round exhaust pipes; the CLS gets twin chromed oval pipes.
Inside both cars are AMG sports seats with AMG upholstery piping and perforation pattern with double stitching.
In addition they are equipped with seat heating, an AMG nameplate, and Alcantara inserts at shoulder level to give more lateral support while cornering at higher speeds.
There's also top-quality nappa leather in three different colour combinations on all seats, the door centre panels and at the centre armrest; the AMG sports steering wheel with gearshift; chrome-plated door sill panels bearing the AMG logo; and the AMG instrument cluster with its 320 km/h speedometer.
So, now for the million rand question? When are they getting here, and how much will they be?
Expect prices to range between R900 000 and just under R1-million, depending on the model.
And they're likely here in the third quarter of this year.
