One thing Mercedes has done well more than once is the Uber-crazy muscle wagon. I’m thrilled to say that in spite of the rumors to the contrary, the all-new Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagon is coming to our shores.
How many moms can say their wagon will rip from 0-60 in 3.4 seconds by way of its 603 horsepower twin-turbocharged V8 and rear-biased all-wheel-drive? I mean really? And to think the Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagon will likely be an IIHS Top Safety Pick +, well it just makes all the sense in the world doesn’t ?
Strap in the kids and settle in behind the wheel for a nice fun road trip to the Nürburgring where you can wring out its AMG built 4.0 liter bi-turbo V8’s 627 pound-feet of torque, pushing their noses to the glass.
Like the E63 S sedan, the Wagon gets standard 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive will a fully variable torque split. Drift mode pushes power entirely to the rear axle for smoky slideways turns that will make your minivan driving neighbors choke.
Power goes to those wheels through the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9-speed sports transmission that while not a true manual can be shifted like one. But honestly though, you’ll make it through your laps quicker if you let it do the job.
Handling won’t let you and your precious cargo down either. A new four-link front suspension joins a redesigned multi-link rear suspension with electronically controlled limited slip rear differential. The adaptive damping air suspension can be set in three modes “Comfort,” “Sport” and Sport +” for the best setup regardless of your neighborhood streets or the open track.
And you’ll look good regardless of where you are as the E63 S Wagon gets all the visual upfits to makes those neighbors nervous. Bulging wheel arches make it 1.1-inches wider. The front fascia is blistered with larger openings for its intercoolers and it has the appropriate air splitter for high speeds.
Though the cargo door says practical, the rear fascia and diffuser paint a different picture with the quad tailpipes anchoring the look. Mercedes-AMG tells us the sound coming from them is quite unique to the wagon model too. This means you can take it to the Nürburgring, but also the country club and church too.
And for those outings, the larger rear cargo area will let you take your clubs or your latest dishes for the after service potlucks. You can adjust the rear seat rake to increase cargo area or fold them all the way down with their 40:20:40 split.
And while woods and hides are a Mercedes trademark, this one has a sportier palette of materials and details from the AMG steering wheel and performance seats to a Nappa leather lined dash and door panels among other details.
And lastly when all the hard driving wears you out, you can relax a little and let the Drive Pilot semi-automated driving assistance system do some of the detailed maneuvering.
The Mercedes-AMG E63S Wagon makes its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March and arrives in North American showrooms this fall.