First Drive: 2017 Mercedes-AMG E43 & E63 S
But the bounds of physics are unflinching. The rules have never changed, nor will they ever. Taking a close look at the new Mercedes-AMG E 63 S 4MATIC+ might affirm that engineers are indeed stroking the outer realms of what can realistically be achieved in a high-performance road car. For example, the decision was made to include four-wheel drive, a different setup from the tyre-shredding predecessors.
That does not mean it has lost the ability to char rubber – more on that later. Usability is what they were going for, unlike ridiculous (but entertaining) efforts such as the monstrous Mercedes-AMG S 65, which thrusts 1000Nm via two contact patches. BMW, once staunch advocates of rear-wheel drive, will also roll-out their xDrive system to the forthcoming M5 (G30). Audi must feel quite smug, having been at the fast, all-wheel drive car game for more than a minute now.
Armed with a boosted 2996cc, six-cylinder engine, the model produces 295kW and 520Nm of torque. Despite the power deficiency in comparison to its bigger sibling, the E 43 4MATIC is not considerably slower than the more powerful car. It will dispatch the sprint in a brisk 4.6 seconds – with an interesting assortment of belches as it works through that nine-speed automatic. Expectedly, the model is substantially less expensive than the full-fat derivative. And you could specify additional styling bits that, to the untrained eye, give it a near-identical look to its brother with the bigger engine.
For many customers, the performance attributes of the E 43 4MATIC would be enough in real-world conditions. But the extra dose of ferocity brought by the E 63 S 4MATIC+ certainly warrants the additional outlay. Mercedes-AMG has shrewdly covered the bases with their performance variants of the venerable E-Class. – Brenwin Naidu
Pricing:
Mercedes-AMG E 43 4MATIC: R1 165 800
Mercedes-AMG E 63 S 4MATIC+: R1 868 400