Mercedes E63 AMG 002 aw60
Feann Torr30 Sept 2016
NEWS

Drift mode go for AMG E63

Mercedes’ new advanced all-wheel-drive system will appal safety nuts and make old men feel young again

If you thought hooning was only for baseball-cap wearing youths who drive hot hatches, think again. Mercedes-AMG has developed a savvy new all-wheel drive system that will aid its well-heeled owners to engage in sideways tomfoolery – on the race track only, of course.

AMG’s E63 variant of the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class is set to be the first recipient of the new set-up. And as most baseball-cap-wearing ‘youffs’ are unlikely to have the $250,000-plus required for the 450kW bahn-storming beast from Germany, this should ensure a whole new – older – demographic will be able to drift like Ken Block. Or should that be Lewis Hamilton?

Like the Ford Focus RS' infamous drift mode, Mercedes-Benz Australia is likely to cop some flak for this new mode, which AMG boss Tobias Moers has coined 'drift mode'.

Set to debut in Australia mid-2017, the E 63 will be "really fast, have AWD standard as well, and we do have a drift mode in that car," said the AMG chief at the Paris motor show overnight.

"Yeah, maybe it's [going to be] banned in Australia," he joked.

It's not clear if a purely rear-drive version will be offered, but it's looking unlikely.

Moers confirmed the clever new AWD system can shunt up to 100 per cent of the engine's power to the rear axle, essentially negating the need for two drivelines… And giving the new AMG the potential for potent power sliding prowess at the same time.

Powered by the same 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine found in the likes of the AMG GT and AMG C 63, the E 63 will unleash more power than previously -- around 450kW. This will be channelled through a new nine-speed AMG Speedshift MCT gearbox.

The advanced powertrain will deliver a 0-100km/h time of less than 4sec.

Big, loud, and angry, the new E 63 is expected to bloody the nose of the BMW M5 and Audi RS6, the AMG chief stating: "It's the biggest step we've ever made for an E-Class to be honest."

"In terms of styling, visibility of the car, presence of the car, it's totally different to anything it used to be. Tyre sizes, drivetrain, suspension, everything. We've never made a bigger step in generation changes in the past," Moers stated.

The international drive launch of the new E 63 is scheduled for the last quarter of this year.

Going on Tobias’ say so, if you're planning on ordering one, make sure you have a good relationship with your local tyre retailer.

Share this article
Our team of independent expert car reviewers and journalistsMeet the team
Stay up to dateBecome a carsales member and get the latest news, reviews and advice straight to your inbox.
Download the carsales app
    AppStoreDownloadGooglePlayDownload
    App Store and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.
    © CAR Group Ltd 1999-2024
    In the spirit of reconciliation we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.