This was one of the most interesting, yet challenging vehicles I have ever driven. In fact, it was a little more car than I could handle. It is also the most technologically advanced car I have ever experienced.
It had all the standard comfort and conveniences that luxury vehicles generally present. Dual zone automatic climate control, multi-color ambient lighting, keyless start, and illuminated doorsills are examples of such.
But the large 12.3-inch wide screen digital instrument cluster, plus a 12.3-inch widescreen central display are perhaps the largest screen combo in the industry. Their clarity and color texture were the best I have ever experienced.
The COMAND (Cockpit Management and Data) System is the central information hub, and hosts Navigation, phone, and audio entertainment functions. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are both supported. A 3-month trial of SiriusXM Radio All Access is also included.
AMG Track Pace is standard on the E 63 S Wagon. It records performance telemetry and lets you analyze the data on your smartphone, transforming it into your virtual race engineer. It has the data of famous race tracks already in memory, and owners can custom-define tracks with start and finish points. Analyzing the recorded telemetry data is a direct path towards improved driving skills.
Track Pace records data such as speed, longitudinal and lateral acceleration, deceleration, steering angle, and yaw rate. Position data is sampled every 50 milliseconds from satellite GPS, making the measurement significantly more precise than common tools like a smartphone.
This type of technology is more suited to the experienced racing driver, but it can still give the average auto writer or daily driver a tremendous thrill.
The E 63 S Wagon is one of the most powerful cars I have ever driven. Top speed is electronically limited to 180 mph.
The hand-crafted AMG 4.0-liter bi-turbo engine punches out 603 horsepower in the band of 5,750 to 6,500 rpm, and 627 lb-ft of torque from 2,500 to 4,500 rpm. All this power is fed through an AMG SpeedShift MCT 9-speed transmission, enabling a 0-60 dash in 3.4 seconds.
This E-Class wagon is not only powerful, but large as well. It is 197.1 inches long, 81.3 inches wide, and 58 inches tall, with a wheel base of 115.7 inches. Benefiting from its dimensions, there is plenty of space to seat five passengers quite nicely.
Fuel economy is rated at 16 mpg city and 23 mpg highway, for a 19 mpg combined average.
The NHTSA Government 5-Star Safety Rating was not available as of this report.
Performance, handling, comfort, and convenience are layered on the foundation of safety and security. Safety and security features include Pre-Safe, Anti-Theft Alarm System, Active Brake Assist, and Attention Assist. These are only some of the comprehensive suite of standard safety features.
The Surround View System gives an all-around visualization of the surrounding, while Blind Spot Monitor provides a helpful watch where the driver cannot see too well.
My test E 63 S was coated in Obsidian Black Metallic paint, which matched perfectly with the AMG Black Exclusive Nappa leather with silver stitching.
Power heated front seats with lumbar support and memory, Easy-Fold 40/20/40 rear seats, AMG Nappa leather Performance steering wheel, power lift gate, and power tilt/sliding panoramic moonroof make for a beautiful and exciting interior.
All this beauty rests majestically on 20-inch matt black AMG forged cross-spoke wheels.
LED Daytime Running Lamps, LED headlamps, and LED taillights anchor the outside good looks and handsome styling.
Driving the E 63 S Wagon provided me with an interesting, joyful experience. The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price was $108,8500.
There are numerous optional features and packages. Those I liked the most were High Performance Carbon Ceramic Braking System ($8,950) and the AMG Night Package ($750). The latter adds jet-black accents to the already aggressive exterior. Deep gloss black treatment is applied to central splitter, front fender trim, side mirror housing, side window surrounds, roof rails, and rear valance trim. Black chrome tailpipes draw the looks from all who is around the vehicle.
New Mercedes vehicles come with a 4-year/50,000-mile Basic Warranty and 4-year/unlimited miles road assistance program.
