2012 Mercedes Benz E63 AMG Revealed

With all of the talk lately about the newest BMW M5 F10 model coming out late this year there has been little attention given to the fact that Mercedes Benz is also launching a new E63 AMG model into production. Like the F10 model, the E63 will squeeze out all 518 horses through a downsized, twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8. That's a significant step downward (in terms of engine size) from the 6.2-liter V8 that used to produce 518 horsepower and 465 ft-lb of torque, which is certainly an improvement in power efficiency considering an increase in torque for the new 5.5 liter V8 while no loss in horsepower.

It appears that with the latest CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) standards that most performance auto makers are stepping away from naturally aspirated 8, 10 and 12 cylinder engines and most manufactures that are sticking with 8 cylinder engines are now looking to turbochargers for added performance. The new BMW M5 F10 features a much smaller 4.4-liter twin turbo V8 that pumps out 560 horsepower and 502 ft-lb of torque, getting the sleek sedan from 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The E63 AMG will also reach 60 mph in 4.4 seconds which is all fun and dandy until you whip out the AMG's Performance Pack.

You see, unlike the new M5, AMG is offering a "Performance Pack" that will boost (no pun intended) output to 550 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque; a significant torque advantage over the new M5, especially considering that the Performance Pack will push the E63 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds, about half a second faster than the M5.

Of course, you can still expect to have a luxurious interior, with 14-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound, 14-way power adjustable seats, or a HD 7-inch screen but what's the point if you buy an AMG? The only thing you'll probably notice is the seat squeezing your butt cheeks as you propel past the F10 M5 on the highway waving friendly gestures to indicate that there is absolutely no rivalry between the two performance manufacturers.

But will you be able to afford the fly-by? The new M5 will have an estimated MSRP of $93,000, while the E63 is estimated to go for approximately $87,000 which seems reasonably close but there is no point in getting the E63 AMG unless you upgrade the power with the Performance Pack which will cost you a Kia Rio on top of the MSRP, or an additional $12,900.

The E63 is no doubt going to be a fantastic sports sedan that will certainly please the car enthusiast that wants to be both practical and fast at the same time. The styling improvements and engine enhancements will certainly make the E63 one of the best looking and fastest sedans on the market in 2012 but BMW is also a force to be reckoned with. I'm sure we'll be seeing plenty of competitive rivalries continue to grow on as the two German manufacturers continue to make some of the best cars in the world.