Mercedes-Benz Unveils E63 AMG Estate

[RACER X]

If they brought these HOT wagons to the state, i'd be so on them...........

Merc = Estate
BMW = Touring
Audi = Avant

and yes there is an M5 Touring




http://www.cars.com/features/autosho...le_mfr_430.jpg

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The all-new 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class has reached showrooms in most parts of the globe, and now we are just a couple of months away from the launch of the ‘Estate’ wagon version. Today, however, at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show, Mercedes has unveiled the high-performance E63 AMG Estate.

Mercedes and its AMG engineers have tested prototypes for the E63 Estate extensively--even recruiting former McLaren F1 ace Mika Häkkinen and race driver Klaus Ludwig to finetune it--and the end result is the fastest and most powerful version of the E-Class Estate yet.

Like the E63 Sedan, the new AMG Estate distinguishes itself from the standard E-Class Estate wagons with a newly developed sports suspension system with electronically controlled damping, revised front suspension settings and unique exterior and interior design.

The vehicle also develops 525 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque from its hand-built 6.2-liter V-8 engine and accelerates from 0-62 mph in just 4.6 seconds. It also offers a maximum luggage compartment capacity of 69 cubic-feet and a relatively impressive fuel economy rating of 18.3 mpg.

Sending power rearward is AMG’s new SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission. It offers four driving modes: "C" (Controlled Efficiency), "S" (Sport), "S+" (Sport plus) and "M" (Manual), which can be selected using a rotary electronic switch in the AMG DRIVE UNIT. Partial suppression of individual cylinders by interrupting ignition and injection during gearshifts under full load lets the transmission change gear even faster than it could otherwise. In M mode, the MCT swaps the gears in just 100 milliseconds.

A more direct steering feel comes courtesy of the all-new speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering. The steering ratio of 14:1 is 22% more direct than in the standard production models, while a more rigid steering column plus the reconfigured characteristic mapping of the speed-sensitive servo assistance ensure better steering precision and improved road contact.

Handling is also improved thanks to the addition of 18-inch light-alloy wheels. Lightweight forged 19 inch AMG light-alloy wheels remain an option. Other highlights of the exterior include wider fenders, unique LED daytime running lights and bi-xenon headlights.

Sadly, the North American launch of the new E-Class Estate will bring only the E350 4matic version next June, and so far no other E-Class wagon variants are planned for American sale.

© 2006-2009 MotorAuthority. All Rights Reserved.

by Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, September 15th, 2009




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[Homeslice]

Way too many buttons on the mercedes dash.....And why would you take the lowest stack of buttons and recess them into the dash? That's counter-ergonomic.

[karl_1052]

it is okay, but why not a C63 wagon? Now that would be awesome.

[RACER X]

too small, this one has a rear facing 3rd row, like out '73 olds custom cruiser did lol

[Adeptus_Minor]

Now that definitely puts the hitch in my giddyup.

I kinda have a thing for fast station wagons and that one totally does it for me.

[z06boy]

I don't really care for wagons BUT if you're gonna drive one and can afford it you might as well get one that can do a sub 12.?? second quarter mile.

[pauldun170]

Awesome....too bad they'll sell 5 of the Stateside.

[goof2]

Originally Posted by RACER X

If they brought these HOT wagons to the state, i'd be so on them...........

They have been bringing the AMG model E class wagons to the states for a long time. They have had both the E55 and previous gen E63 wagons over here. As it turns out very few people are interested in paying $100k for a wagon.

[RACER X]

Originally Posted by goof2

They have been bringing the AMG model E class wagons to the states for a long time. They have had both the E55 and previous gen E63 wagons over here. As it turns out very few people are interested in paying $100k for a wagon.

i've seen plenty of E (55&63) sedans but never an wagon platform in the states.

same w/ the wagon above and the BMW m5 wagon mentioned, EUR only.

[101lifts2]

Ehhhh...looks like the same wagons VW, BMW and Audi have been sending here since the 1980s.

The tightest wagon is a 1999 BMW 525i.