2014 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG - The Craftsman’s Hammer

Sure, AMGs are great at going straight, but the in-house tuner recently had a change of heart and decided its cars should go around corners well, too. You don’t use a sledgehammer to carve a statue something a little more sophisticated is required.

AMG confidently predicts the top-shell E63 AMG S-Model sedan will hit 62 mph in 3.6 seconds, though engineers have claimed as low as 3.4. If it can, it’ll be the quickest sedan we’ve ever tested It certainly feels up to the task. The 577-hp, twin-turbo, 5.5-liter V-8 roars like a thunderstorm over a battle-field, and its 590 lb-ft of torque (non-S Models get 550hp and 531 lb-ft) fling you forward like a rail gun. And thanks to that all-wheel-drive grip, it’s nearly as smooth as the rail gun. You just go.

AMG confidently predicts the top-shell E63 AMG S-Model sedan will hit 62 mph in 3.6 seconds, though engineers have claimed as low as 3.4.

Here’s where the E63 charts a new course: It goes around corners, too. Fast. As with the standard E-Class, this car is impressively balanced. Pushed as hard as public roads allowed, it yielded only a small amount of under steer and over steer on corner entry and exit, respectively, and only when I really tried to drive like a caveman. The ride quality is better than its predecessors and that car’s body roll has been reined in. This car leans smoothly and confidently in corners, encouraging you to push it harder. It drives like a sport sedan, not just a luxury dragster.

Here’s where the E63 charts a new course: It goes around corners, too. Fast. As with the standard E-Class, this car is impressively balanced.

Getting to and through the corners faster means that at some point, you’ll need to slow down. AMG has always been known for producing brakes that were as immensely powerful as its engines. The E63 hauls itself to a stop quite well, as you might expect with optional carbon-ceramic brakes. Likewise, fade is nonexistent.

AMG has always been known for producing brakes that were as immensely powerful as its engines.

Not every system is a triumph of engineering, however. The transmission shifts smoothly and quickly whether cruising through town or hammering a canyon. Unfortunately, it rarely downshifts as you brake ahead of a corner and, as a result, you’re often digging deeper into the throttle at the exit to get a downshift. This is partially mitigated by the global supply of torque available, but a better solution is to use the paddles. However, when upshifting manually, it’s best to pull the paddle at least 500 rpm before the Tach reaches redline or you’ll be in the limiter.

2014 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG – system control

Also on the good-but-not-great list is the steering. It’s quick and precise but a little light, and you don’t feel much of anything in it. It makes the car comfortable in daily driving and a formidable weapon in the Twisties, but it’s not the pinnacle of sports car steering.

The transmission shifts smoothly and quickly whether cruising through town or hammering a canyon.