Image credit: S.B. Medien/S. Baldauf

Following the unveiling of the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class, focus has shifted to the arrival of the Affalterbach-tuned Mercedes-AMGE63 and E63S versions. The awe-inspiringAMG performance models are reportedlyin the final stages of testing and we believe ourspy photographers spotted a pre-production unit while it wasundergoingan evaluation.

Power hungry

The performance outputs of the Mercedes-AMG version of the E-Class has notofficially been confirmed yet but, AMG has been hinting at a minimum power delivery "near the 450 kW mark". If this figure comes to fruition, it would make the AMG E63 more powerful than an AMG GT-S (375 kW) by some margin. The AMG E63s will be powered by the same 4.0-litre biturbo V8 that serves in the GT-S,but Mercedes-AMG saysthis version will representthe “next step” in terms of development.

New transmission

In the recent past, most AMG models have utilisedseven-speed automatic gearboxes, but the Mercedes-AMG E63 will be the first AMG model to use the new,more efficient,nine-speed automatic transmission.

All-wheel drive

The Mercedes-AMG E63 will be produced as an all-wheel drive modelaround the world. This will mark adeparture forSouth African aficionados, who are accustomed toAMG sedans (apart from the CLA45 AMG) beingrear-wheel driven— but in the majority of markets,an all-wheel drive configuration is the norm. AMG representatives are however promising that the fastestE-Classmodels will be no less exciting to drive and just as raw-edged asprevious E63s.

Coming soon

Rumours are that the AMG E63 could be launched before June this year (2016), at least in overseas markets.The regular E-Class is set to be launched globally at the end of February 2016. Spin-offs from the E-Class are set to continue with a station wagon, CLS Coupe and Shooting Brake set to be added to the range in time.