The German automaker continues its downsizing, which will also affect the upcoming new generation of the E-class. The top-of-the-range E 63 from AMG replaces the V8 with a plug-in hybrid six-cylinder.
It may have been disappointing for many when Mercedes kept their word and stripped the most powerful version of the C-Class from the eight-cylinder and replaced it with an electrified 2.0-liter four-cylinder. In its defense, in the C63 SE Performance model it offers 476 hp and 545 Nm of torque, in combination with an electric motor even up to 680 hp and 1020 Nm of torque.
The new generation of the Mercedes E-class is already behind the door and with the approaching premiere comes new speculations. The last one refers to the most powerful version of the E63 from AMG. It’s probably no surprise that this version will no longer have the popular 4.0-liter V8. It is to be replaced by a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder with an electric motor.
Further technical data are still under wraps, but a maximum system output far in excess of 700 horsepower and 1,000 Nm of torque is expected. This is a huge leap from the current most powerful version of the E63 S, which offers 612 hp and 850 Nm.
The electrified part of the drive system with 400V architecture will include an electric motor with a power of around 200 horsepower and a battery with a capacity of 4.8 kWh located in the luggage compartment. A two-speed gearbox with an electronic limited-slip differential will be used to transfer the power of the electric motor to the rear wheels, while the six-cylinder M256 will be mated to a nine-speed MCT gearbox. As with all of the brand’s current plug-in hybrids, the following list of driving modes will be available: Electric, Comfort, Battery Hold, Sport, Sport+, Slippery and Individual.
In addition to the most powerful version of the E63 from AMG, downsizing and electrification are also planned for the E53 model. This version should also receive the in-line 3.0-liter six-cylinder M256 with an electric motor, but it will offer lower power. It will be interesting to see how much these considerable changes will affect sales of AMG models for both the C Series and the upcoming E Series.
