Bonkers is a soft word to describe these fast station wagons
Following the release of the E 63 and E 63 S performance sedans last year, Mercedes-AMG has now turned its attention to the estate body style.
Packing the same drivetrain as the sedan but with an enormous trunk and better practicality, the E 63 Estate and E 63 S Estate would better be called muscle wagons.
The 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine delivers 604 hp (612 PS) and 850 Nm (627 lb-ft) in the S and 563 hp (571 PS) and 750 Nm (553 lb-ft) in the base E 63 Estate, allowing for performance that puts many supercars to shame.
In combination with the standard AMG Performance 4MATIC+ permanent all-wheel drive with variable torque distribution, the E 63 Estate is stunningly quick.
It goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds and reaches an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (150 mph) — 290 km/h (180 mph) with the optional AMG Driver's Package. The E 63 S Estate is 0.1 seconds quicker to 100 km/h and has the same maximum speed, but customers will be able to have more fun in it because the 4MATIC+ system comes with a mechanical rear axle limited-slip differential and a drift mode.
Regardless of the model, the all-wheel-drive system's torque distribution on the front and rear axles is fully variable for the first time. The engine features standard cylinder deactivation for more efficiency and is mated to the AMG Speedshift MCT (Multi Clutch Technology) 9-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. As a result, the claimed combined fuel consumption is just 9.1 liters/100 km, with corresponding CO2 emissions of 206 g/km.
Styling-wise, the E 63 Estate and E 63 S Estate feature the same AMG aero kit as the sedan, except the bulky rear end that features a sleek roof spoiler. But it's that rear end that gives the E 63 the biggest boot in the performance estate segment: 640 liters with all seats in place and 1,820 liters with the rear seats folded down. If that's not enough, the 40:20:40 split-folding rear seat can be positioned at a 10-degree steeper angle, creating an additional 30 liters of cargo volume.
The suspension and braking systems carry over from the sedan, and the E 63 Estate features all the connectivity and Intelligent Drive functions of the E-Class family.
The world premiere of the two performance station wagons will be at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2017. Mercedes-AMG will start taking orders in April 2017, with the market launch scheduled for June 2017.