Although Mercedes-AMG has kept its facelifted E63 S’ peak power and torque outputs unchanged, it has refreshed its super sedan’s appearance, improved its aerodynamics and suspension, plus updated the cabin.

Incidentally, the updated E63 S’ arrival follows a mere day after the debut of the Life Cycle Impulse (facelifted) version of its archrival, the BMW M5 Competition. Whereas the Benz delivers 10 kW less than its BMW rival (450 kW vs 460 kW), its 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 – with dynamic engine mounts, Mercedes-AMG reminds us – delivers 100 Nm of torque (850 Nm, from 2 500 to 4 500 rpm) more than the 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 in the BMW.

The reshaped front bumper and Panamericana grille (with enlarged Three-pointed Star) complement the E63 S' bulging bonnet.

The Benz’s powerplant is still mated with an AMG Speedshift MCT 9-speed transmission, which works in conjunctionwith an AMG Performance 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system, appended by an electronically regulated rear-axle locking differential. Performance-wise, the combatants are neck and neck: The Benz is said to accelerate from 0 to 100 kph in 3.4 sec, while the BMW reportedly accomplishes the same 3.3 sec. It’s that close! Watch our drag race between the pre-facelift versions.

Even though Mercedes-AMG has beefed up the appearance of its headlining E-Class derivative, the E63 S arguably remains more understated than its Munich rival from an aesthetic point of view…

As Mercedes-AMG plans to discontinue its 4.0-litre V8 in the C-Class, its presence in the E-Class becomes more exclusive.

In addition to featuring the updated E-Class’ slimmer LED headlamps, the E63 S’s wheel arches are more elaborately flared – by 27 mm, to be exact – to accommodate the sedan's greater track width and larger wheels (aerodynamically optimised 20-inch 5-twin-spoke alloys, finished in either matt black or high-gloss tantalum grey), while the sedan’s AMG-specific Panamericana grille sports an enlarged Three-pointed Star.

The reshaped front apron has a trio of air intakes (of which the central one has been enlarged), while the revised splitter is said to significantly reduce lift at the front axle. A further striking visual feature is a harmoniously fitting flap (with ahigh-gloss black finish), which extends across the length of the apron.

The E63 S has lost none of its potency; it is said to accelerate from 0 to 100 kph in 3.4 sec.

At the rear, newly-designed tail-light clusters extend into the boot lidand are visually linked with a high-gloss chrome strip. The reshaped rear apron has a high-gloss black finish and is edged by a Silver Shadow trim strip that traces the contours of the pair of reshaped twin-tailpipe housings. And, in between the quartet of 90-mm trapezoidal tailpipes (with a matt titanium finish) sits a new high-gloss black diffuser, replete with a pair of longitudinal fins.

If the look of the standard E63 S isn't purposeful enough, which it might be – for some, customers can additionally specify optional high-gloss black detailing with the AMG Night Package or really go to town with the (self-explanatory) AMG Exterior Carbon-Fibre Packages I orII.

Mercedes-AMG has gone to great lengths to enhance the visual presentation of the E63 S'titanium matt trapezoidal exhaust tips.

As far as the super sedan's interior update is concerned, the most noticeable revision is the new double-horizontal-spoke AMG Performance steering wheel, which features seamlessly integrated buttons (aided by haptic sensing aids), a pair of round AMG controllers located on either side of the tiller's bottomspoke and slightly bigger aluminium shift paddles that are located further down than in the pre-facelift E63 S.

Apart from additionally featuring Nappa leather trim on its dashboard and door trims (compared with its predecessor), as well as new crystal grey seat belts, the Benz comes fitted with the latest MBUX infotainment system with intelligent voice control plus AMG-specific displays and settings. The accurately-named Widescreen Cockpit consists of a pair of 12.25-inch screens, one for the instrument cluster and the other for the touchscreen infotainment system.

The elaboratesteering wheel of the E63 S might require more familiarisation than its infotainment system's menus…

Meanwhile, the E63 S still features the AMG Ride Control+ suspension with a multi-chamber air suspension and adaptive adjustable damping ADS+ (Adaptive Damping System), but Mercedes-AMG claims the “comfort characteristics of the suspension have been tangibly increased thanks to retuning and revised elastokinematics”, which has, in effect, made the difference between the super sedan’s comfortable and sporty suspension settings “more clearly perceptible”.

Meanwhile, among the myriad drive modes and ESP settings afforded by AMG Dynamic Select and AMG Dynamics,the flagship E-Class derivative’s fully variable torque distribution supports Drift Mode, which can be activated in the "Race" drive mode program by using the shift paddles (provided that ESP is deactivated and the transmission is in manual mode). When Drift Mode is activated, the E63 S becomes a purely rear-wheel-driven “hooning machine” for as long as its fortunate driver may require…

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Drag Race: BMW M5 vs Mercedes-AMG E63 S

Will It Drift? BMW M5 vs Mercedes-AMG E63 S

Mercedes-AMG E63 S 4Matic (2017) Launch Review