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These latest spy shots from Germany reveal the 2009 Mercedes E63 AMG in closer detail than ever. Benz’s next super-saloon, also depicted above in Autocar’s exclusive rendered image, will be powered by the company’s 6.2-litre V8 when it debuts at the Frankfurt Motor Show in autumn 2009 and should offer in excess of 550bhp.
However, Autocar has also learnt that a debate has been raging between Mercedes bosses over the continued use of the big-bore V8 in the face of increasingly stringent emissions laws. Many at Benz are concerned that BMW is getting the upper hand in the race to go green, thanks to technology like its Efficient Dynamics systems. AMG has plans to clean up its act with future models, which will feature turbocharged smaller-capacity engines, diesel motors and even hybrid tech. The E63 could even be the company’s last new big-bore super saloon.
The E63 AMG saloon will be followed closely by an estate version and both will go on sale in the UK in early 2010 for around £70,000, as a direct competitor for the following year's BMW M5.
Mercedes claims next year’s E-class is the biggest step forward for its enduring executive saloon since the hallowed W124 version appeared back in 1985.
As well as concentrating efforts on giving the new car a sharp new look, a great deal of work as been focused on the chassis, which shares various components with the critically acclaimed C-class in a move aimed at providing greater levels of production efficiency.
This is good news for AMG, which has vowed to make the new E63 a more dynamic drive than today’s model. In fact, AMG engineers have been involved in the development of the new E-class since its inception.
This has allowed AMG to tune the E63 with far fewer compromises than in the past. The ultimate E-class is said to feature a widened front track, a unique steering ratio, and MacPherson strut and multi-link suspension with variable damping control that, like all AMG models since 2002, has been tuned during exhaustive tests at the Nürburgring.
One unknown quantity is the rear differential. Autocar can confirm that AMG has been running E63 prototypes with a newly developed electronic rear diff. But while the early signs look encouraging, insiders say there has been no final decision on whether it will form part of the production package.
Will Powell
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