Mercedes Benz E 550/63 AMG 2007
01/01/2007
Mercedes-Benz’s most popular sedan receives a mild face-lift and a major boost in power for 2007. The previous E55 AMG with its supercharged V-8 makes way for a new E63 AMG and a brand-new, state-of-the-art, normally aspirated V-8 developed exclusively by AMG (it’s not related to any other Mercedes engine). The limited-edition E63 is offered both as a sedan and as a special-order wagon. Even the base V-8 model, the E550, gets a big power boost, with 80 hp more than the previous E500 thanks to the introduction of the new quad-cam V-8 used also in the SL- and S-class. Mercedes-Benz’s unique 7-speed automatic makes the most of the new V-8, which offers plenty of punch pulling away from a stoplight and a rich seam of torque for freeway passing. Two distinct models are offered: luxury, with a burl-walnut-trimmed cabin; and sport, with black bird’s-eye maple trim and 10-spoke 18-inch wheels. 4Matic all-wheel drive is optional.PRICE: $59,775 (E550); $85,375 (E63 AMG); $86,175 (E63 wagon)
ENGINE: 5.5-liter V-8 (E550); 6.3-liter V-8 (E63 AMG)
TRANSMISSION: 7-speed automatic
POWER: 382 hp at 6,000 rpm (E550); 507 hp at 6,800 rpm (E63 AMG)
TORQUE: 391 ft lbs at 2,800 rpm (E550); 465 ft lbs at 5,200 rpm (E63
AMG)
CURB WEIGHT: 3,855 pounds (E550); 4,035 pounds (E63 AMG); 4,390 pounds
(E63 wagon)
0-60 MPH: 5.4 seconds (E550); 4.3 seconds (E63 AMG)
TOP SPEED: 130 mph (E550); 155 mph (E63 AMG)
PROS: Convenient size, broad range to pick from
CONS: The most popular Benz out there