Review Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG saloon

The Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG is an executive four-door saloon powered by a new 5.5-litre V8 that produces 518bhp and a mammoth 700Nm of torque. Sat proudly at the top of the E-Class range, competition comes in the form of the BMW M5 and Jaguar XF R. Under full throttle the AMG saloon produces an incredible noise and even though it weighs nearly two-tonnes, performance is stunning. Featuring a seven-speed automatic gearbox with four driving modes: comfort, sport, sport plus and manual, the E63 is remarkably versatile and can easily be driven daily. Neck-snapping performance combined with everyday civility comes at a price however because at over £70,000 the E63 is very expensive, even more so if you tick the option box marked, AMG carbon ceramic brakes. The optional Performance pack improves handling at the expense of comfort. Inside, the interior features swathes of leather and most of the optional kit found in the rest of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class range. Drive4.7 /5 Every drive is gloriously thrilling event Driving the E63 AMG is a fantastic experience. Top speed is electronically limted to 155mph whilst the 0-62mph sprint is completed in just 4.3 seconds. Smooth executive saloon one minute and angry muscle car the next, Mercedes' top-of-the-range E-Class is a car with two characters. Fitted with a brilliant seven-speed automatic gearbox with steering wheel-mounted shift paddles the system has four driving modes: comfort, sport, sport plus and manual. In both sport plus and manual modes the E63 changes gear with savage precision, also producing a spectacular noise, but select comfort and the car makes for an ideal long distance cruiser. Despite overly light steering the big Mercedes also handles better than any other E-Class in the range. Comfort4.5 /5 Sumptuous leather and hugely comfortable seats Rear passengers are treated to very high levels of comfort and thanks to the fantastic AMG leather sports seats the front cabin is even better. The adjustable suspension provides three different settings allowing drivers to soften or stiffen the ride depending on the type of journey or road surface. Passengers are very well insulated from road noise, too. Reliability4.8 /5 Packed full of safety features it's no wonder the E63 AMG scored full marks during crash testing Bullet proof reliability has been a Mercedes trait for many years and the range-topping E63 AMG model is no exception- there are no widely known problems. It also exudes quality. Crash tested in 2010 by Euro NCAP the E-Class scored the full five stars. Watch the crash test video here. Seven airbags are fitted as standard, as are side impact protection bars and Attention Assist, a system that monitors steering behaviour alerting drivers if they fall asleep at the wheel. Practicality4.8 /5 Clever controls and very generous amounts of room There's loads of practical features inside the E63, the steering wheel is electroncially adjustable for reach and rake for example and the computer control-dial is very easy to use. The rear seats provide passengers with a very comfortable ride too, offering limousine-levels of head and legroom. The boot is massive too, measuring 540 litres. Value for money4.0 /5 High quality performance cars don't come cheap At over £70,000 the E63 AMG is very expensive to buy, but, fitted with one of the most impressive engines currently on sale you do get a lot of very fast car for your money. It can also carry up to five people in high levels of comfort. Very well kitted-out as standard, buyers can also add optional equipment such as a panoramic sunroof, carbon fibre trim and a reversing camera. Running costs2.4 /5 The large capacity engine is very thirsty, also commanding large tax bills The combined fuel economy figure of 28.8mpg for the E63 is a massive improvement over the older 6.2-litre version. However, owners can expect that figure to drop dramatically if they regularly use the performance on offer. Huge fuel bills and large annual road tax bills are just the start. Depreciation is also a major issue with top-end Mercedes-Benz saloons.