It was on the twisted roads of the Serra de Monchique and on the «roller coaster» of the Algarve International Autodrome (AIA) that I drove the new super sports car for the first time… sorry!, the new sports saloon from Mercedes-AMG.
As you might guess, after spending an entire day behind the wheel of an executive equipped with a 4.0 l twin-turbo V8 engine on national roads, I calmly await the arrival of the authorities at the Razão Automóvel office, “Guilherme Costa, put your hands in the air and leave slowly. You are under arrest!”.
I brag often—maybe too often…—that in my entire life I have just collected a speeding ticket (believe me, I always walk slowly). THE Mercedes-AMG E63 S was the exception to the rule. It transformed me, as they had already transformed other models — namely the Mégane RS or the 911 Carrera 2.7, among others — into a less peaceful driver.
The fault of course wasn't mine, it was the Mercedes-AMG E 63 S 4MATIC+ ! That on a national road with “Comfort” mode selected, behaves like a conventional E-Class, masking speed with impressive ease.
Entering the Portimão straight at more than 200 km/h and braking for the first corner at more than 260 km/h will be a memory that will remain in my memory for a long time.
Three-chamber air suspensions with variable damping are largely responsible for “masking” speed. Result? With more than 600 hp at the service of the right foot, when we realize it, we are already going at more than 120 km/h — well, 120 km/h ?!
Mercedes-AMG E 63 S 4Matic+
So, afraid of patriotically filling the State coffers (Heróis do Mar, noble Povo, Nação Valente… ???) with tolls and fines, I abandoned Via do Infante and entered the narrow roads of the Serra de Monchique towards the Autodromo de Portimao. I selected the “Sport” mode and off I went to rip through the saw.
In Sport mode, the engine sound changes completely, the engine mounts are stiffer, the AMG Sport progressive steering is more direct and the suspensions get another reading of the road. With a simple push of a button we completely transform the character of the Mercedes-AMG E 63 S 4Matic+.
Up front, for Bernd Schneider (at the wheel of an AMG GT) it didn't seem to rain and I was only able to keep up with him thanks to the extra traction of “my” E 63.”
The speed we take into corners is impressive. And the ease with which we do it too. There's no room for untimely steering wheel fixes or shivers from exaggerated bodywork. It's all “clean” and easy. And talking about facilities behind the wheel of a car with 612 hp and 850 Nm of maximum torque is a work…
In addition to the suspensions, steering and brakes, the “blame” for this rigor is the new 4MATIC+ system (with electronic differential lock) which distributes power in an exemplary manner between the two axles. And still needed to try the "Race" mode. Which I left reserved for the Autodromo de Portimão…
When I arrived at the Autodromo de Portimão, Bernd Schneider, one of the great names of the DTM, was waiting for me. It fell to Bernd Schneider to carry out the “house honors” and guide our group through the demanding curves of the Algarve route.
“Race” mode on (finally!), ESP off and drift mode on. The "peaceful" E 63 has turned into a track animal. Entering the Portimão straight at more than 200 km/h and braking for the first corner at more than 260 km/h will be a memory that will remain in my memory for a long time. That and hearing Bernd Schneider on the radio telling me “nice drift!”. Now listen:
The ease with which the Mercedes-AMG E 63 4MATIC+ lets itself be explored at the limits of grip, almost made me doubt the need for all-wheel drive. Until it starts to rain…
Controlling the 612 hp of power and 850 Nm in the rain was only possible thanks to the competent 4MATIC+ system. Up front, for Bernd Schneider (at the wheel of an AMG GT) it didn't seem to rain and I was only able to keep up with him thanks to the extra traction of “my” E 63. Believe me, man is not from this planet…
I left the Autodromo de Portimão completely convinced by the dynamic capabilities of the E 63 — the “kick” of the 4.0 l twin-turbo engine is impressive (3.4s from 0-100 km/h) and the chassis keeps up with all this momentum.
I turned on “Confort” mode and returned to Lisbon. I changed the symphony of the eight cylinders (four of which can be deactivated) for the symphony of the competent sound system of the E-Class. Anyone who saw him on the road, so calm, could not imagine the «terror» he had already caused today at the AIA.
It's the beauty of these types of models. A few years ago, who would have thought that a sports saloon could be so usable in everyday life and so effective on a circuit? Nobody, in their right mind. Six hundred and twelve horsepower! It's work…
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note: We call for responsible driving on public roads. In our tests and trials, we strive for responsibility and safety. We remind our readers that these presentations are carried out under controlled conditions. Conduct with prudence.