2009 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG 5.5 V8 7AT (525 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Mercedes-Benz introduced the mighty E63 version of the E-Class’ fourth generation at the 2009 New York Motor Show in April 2009, and it bumped the hearts of car enthusiasts.

It was the last naturally-aspirated E63 AMG before the downsizing trend that forced the German automaker to switch on the bi-turbo technology. Just like many other mid- or executive-sized sedans from Mercedes-Benz, it mixed the grunt of a sportscar with the comfort of a limo. And it did that flawlessly. And, just like its non-AMG brother, the regular W212, it shook the world with its new image.

In AMG clothing, the sedan featured a different front bumper fitted with an A-shaped lower grille than the rest of the W212 range. It was flanked by two side scoops where LED daytime running lights adorned filled the upper sides. The car’s profile was visually enhanced by the 18″ light-alloy wheels, with an option for a set of 19″ in size. It was still subtle, yet the rear end of the car showed the four rectangular pipes that peaked from underneath the bumper.

Since it was a high-performance version of the W212, it didn’t come with regular seats. The carmaker installed high-bolstered, leather-wrapped bucket seats at the front and a bench profiled for two in the back. The dashboard was still angular and shared most of its parts with the rest of the E-Class range, but the center console was specific for the AMG version. It was cluttered with more buttons that tuned the suspension, gearbox, and ESP settings. Yet, in normal mode, it felt like a regular E-Class, albeit with the brawling V8 sound from under the hood.

Its 6.2-liter engine was tuned to produce 63 mkg (465 lb-ft) of torque, hence the name, and it was paired with a seven-speed automatic gearbox (wet-clutch, not torque converter) named SPEEDSHIFT. Power went to the rear wheels only via an open-type differential, with an option for an axle-locking one.