A History of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class AMGs

1986: AMG Drops the Hammer

The identical yr that Stanley Burrell took on the identify of MC Hammer, the tuners in Affalterbach launched the automobile that might increase them to the standing of worldwide automotive superstars. The previous twenty years had seen them constructing racing engines and tuning up vehicles already on the highway, ultimately increasing operations to constructing their very own handmade engines primarily based off the Benz constructing blocks; by the Eighties, AMG was able to construct full machines that would showcase their potential.

The arrival of the W124-generation E-Class — the primary Mercedes to make use of that identify — proved a perfect launchpad for his or her imaginative and prescient. The guts of this new beast, after all, could be its engine. AMG took the Mercedes 5.0-liter V-8 from the period’s S-Class and labored critical magic on it, pushing displacement to five.5 liters and changing the Benz single-cam-dual-valve setup with their in-house twin-cam-four-valve system. (Mercedes would introduce its personal 5.5-liter V-8 by the point AMG’s automobile arrived, however the two motors shouldn’t be confused.) The motor punched out 355 horsepower and 388 lb-ft of torque — this in an period when the BMW M5 maxed out at 282 hp. A beefed-up four-speed automated and driveline helped all that energy make its strategy to the rear wheels, whereas the suspension was lowered and sharpened versus the common E, and gummy Pirellis wrapped across the five-spoke AMG wheels. An aggressive physique package, in the meantime, gave the otherwise-staid W124 the visuals to trace at what was packed beneath.

The automobile was formally often called the Mercedes-Benz 300E 5.6 AMG, but it surely shortly turned identified by one other identify: the Hammer. In any case, this was a blunt instrument of a four-door that would sustain with a few of the greatest sports activities vehicles of the day. In Automotive and Driver’s testing, it went from 0-60 miles per hour in 5 seconds flat and blitzed the quarter-mile in 13.5 seconds at 107 mph, en path to a 178 mph high velocity — successfully similar to the Ferrari Testarossa on sale on the identical time. And as if that weren’t sufficient, come 1987, AMG unveiled a 6.0-liter V-8 model that made much more energy: 375 hp and 407 lb-ft of torque.

After all, the Hammer’s base value of $125,000 was greater than $30,000 north of the Testarossa, and quantities to round $362,000 in 2025 {dollars} — practically twice the value of the most costly sedan AMG sells at present. But whereas it by no means bought in huge numbers — 30 or fewer are believed to exist — the Hammer proved sufficient of a success with the rich and with fans that Mercedes father or mother Daimler-Benz determined a extra formal partnership was warranted, so in 1990, the 2 firms shaped an alliance that might allow AMG autos to be bought straight out of Mercedes-Benz dealerships.

1998: The E55 Takes AMG Mainstream

AMG’s subsequent work on the E-Class got here round a decade after the Hammer drove off into the sundown. Since then, Mercedes-Benz had rolled out a brand new era of E-Class, internally often called W210 and externally differentiated at first by a rounded quad-headlamp association. It debuted in 1994, and by 1996, AMG was already working its magic on it in restricted numbers, rolling out small quantities of six-cylinder E36 and eight-cylinder E50 and E60 solely for the European market (though some discovered their method overseas, specifically to Japan).

It wouldn’t be till 1998, nevertheless, that AMG rolled out the automobile that might set the stage for the subsequent step of their journey with Mercedes. The E55 AMG appeared way more delicate than the Hammer — exterior modifications have been largely at bumper degree and under, and barely extra aggressive than a lesser E’s seems — however the mechanical temporary was very comparable. It used a hand-crafted V-8 primarily based on a Mercedes block with displacement elevated from 5.0 to five.4 liters, and a sprinkle of Affalterbach magic to spice up efficiency, mixed with a five-speed automated serving the rear wheels. The ensuing mixture spat out 349 hp and 391 lb-ft, enabling it to run roughly neck and neck with its iconic 300E 5.6 AMG forbear; Automotive and Driver recorded a 4.9 second 0-60 mph, and 1 / 4 mile of 13.5 seconds at 105 mph, placing it neck-and-neck with a Porsche 911 Carrera of the day.

However not like its W210 and W124 predecessors, Mercedes and AMG constructed the E55 in large numbers — not less than, by comparability. Greater than 10,000 have been constructed over the four-year manufacturing run, and in contrast to the less-numerous E36 / E50 / E60 fashions from earlier than, it was bought in North America, serving to AMG set up a foothold in the US and Canadian markets that might assist propel it to future success. (Additionally serving to: at a beginning value of simply over $71,000, it was less expensive than its predecessor.) Nonetheless, two variations that remained Europe-only would trace on the AMG E’s future: patrons on the continent may go for a station wagon model, in addition to an all-wheel-drive one.

2002: The E55 Powers up With a Supercharger

By the early twenty first Century, the horsepower warfare had opened up on quite a few fronts, and considered one of them was the highest finish of the German sedan market. As such, the second-generation E55 AMG got here shortly after the arrival of the brand new W211 E-Class; the mainstream mannequin was revealed in January 2002, revising the four-headlamp look of the W210 with extra fluid, curving traces; the E55 debuted simply eight months later, sporting a design that made its efficiency credentials barely extra apparent than the primary automobile to bear its identify.

The engine below the hood nonetheless displaced 5.4 liters, but it surely now got here with a supercharged affixed on high. Because of the blower and different updates, E55 2.0 whipped up a mighty 469 horsepower and 516 lb-ft. It was nonetheless fed to the rear wheels through a five-speed automated (and will barbecue these again tires with the digital nannies turned off), however the added energy confirmed up when the sunshine turned inexperienced; Automotive and Driver noticed it vault from 0-60 mph in 4.3 seconds, and knock out the quarter-mile in 12.5 at 116 mph.

And in a perk for Individuals who wished the enjoyment of a velocity machine however wanted to haul an SUV’s value of cargo round, the brand new E55 marked the primary time Mercedes-Benz introduced an AMG station wagon to the US. Automotive and Driver even discovered that, regardless of the additional 250-plus kilos of weight, the E55 AMG wagon was a tick faster from naught to 60 than the sedan — maybe a good thing about the added weight being over the drive wheels.

2007: A Large Midlife Replace Turns the E55 Into the E63

Little did the world know Affalterbach’s engine wizards weren’t happy with the supercharged 5.4-liter V-8, nevertheless. Daimler (now DaimlerChrysler) had taken a controlling stake in AMG in 1999 earlier than gaining full possession in 2005, opening up new worlds of chance with the sources now obtainable. As such, AMG had set about constructing their very own V-8 — one which shared as little as doable with different Mercedes motors. The brand new unit was internally often called M156, and it could go down as one of many automotive trade’s nice energy vegetation. As a substitute of compelled induction, it made its energy the old style method: with displacement and revs.

The W211 E-Class’s mid-life facelift in 2006 was pretty bizarre for the common vary, however when the up to date AMG model debuted the subsequent yr, it got here packing this new 6.2-liter naturally aspirated monster beneath its hood, with a brand new seven-speed automated sending energy to the rear wheels. In honor of the brand new motor’s bigger measurement, it additionally picked up a reputation: E63 AMG.

The brand new motor’s energy figures have been pretty near that of the supercharged E55; at 507 horsepower and 465 lb-ft, it made 38 extra ponies, however 51 fewer “torques.”

Automotive and Driver noticed comparable acceleration out of it, as nicely, with a 0-60 of 4.2 seconds and a quarter-mile of 12.6 at 115 mph. As a substitute of a forced-induction motor’s low-end slug of energy, although, the brand new motor delivered it in a pure, rising rush of power, with peak torque arriving at 5,200 rpm and peak energy at 6,800 on the way in which to the 7,200 rpm redline. And, delightfully, the station wagon caught round as nicely.

2009: A New E63 Brings Loads of Modifications, However Not All at As soon as

The W212-generation E-Class arrived in early 2009, debuting in January and reaching showrooms by March, sporting a extra creased, angular interpretation of the three-box form, four-light face that had come to outline the sedan. The AMG mannequin adopted shut behind, displaying up for the primary time in April and sporting, in flip, its personal rapacious interpretation on the brand new seems, full with a barely wider stance and extra pronounced fender flares.

Below the hood, issues have been comparatively establishment. The 6.2-liter V-8 endured, together with the seven-speed automated (though the gearbox traded its conventional torque converter for a brand new moist startup clutch, making it one thing between an everyday slushbox and a dual-clutch system). Horsepower rose a touch to 518, however torque remained at 465 lb-ft.

However the 6.2-liter motor wouldn’t stick round lengthy. In 2011, AMG binned the naturally aspirated motor and introduced again compelled induction, within the identify of lowering emissions and enhancing gasoline economic system. At 5,461cc of displacement, the brand new twin-turbocharged motor was simply 0.02 liters smaller than those used within the E55 from 1998 to 2006, however Mercedes caught with the E63 identify, to stop anybody from pondering the automobile had taken a step again (and kicking off the divorce between AMG automobile’s names and their engine sizes).

The brand new motor made the identical 518 hp because the previous 6.2 and the identical 516 lb-ft because the final E55’s supercharged eight-pot — except patrons opted for the Efficiency Pack, an possibility that had merely sharpened the dealing with and raised the highest velocity on earlier vehicles, however now additionally boosted the horse rely to 549 hp and the torque to 590 lb-ft.

2013: A New Face and All-Wheel-Drive Grip Come for the E63

The yr 2013 noticed the W212 rating a complete mid-life facelift, most notably within the type of a literal facelift that changed the four-eyed look with extra typical headlights that paid homage to the previous structure with LED working lamps. The E63 followed suit with its own interpretation, including bigger air intakes on its entrance fascia and a touch of additional chrome to zhuzh issues up.

The dual-turbo 5.5-liter V-8 caught round, however now it got here in two types: a base mannequin with 550 hp and 531 lb-ft, and a brand new E63 S model that made 577 hp and 590 lb-ft. (Delightfully, the station wagon was solely obtainable with the latter powerplant.) The larger information was that, whereas seven-speed quasi-dual-clutch-auto returned, it now despatched the facility to all 4 wheels as an alternative of simply the rear — the brand new automobile’s torque output, maybe, having been decided to be simply an excessive amount of for 2 tires to deal with.

Additional grip and added energy, not surprisingly, added as much as improved instances off the road. Automotive and Driver’s check of an E 63 S wagon noticed it vault from 0 to 60 miles per hour in simply 3.4 seconds and clobber the quarter in 11.7 at 122 mph, even regardless of a curb weight north of 4,700 kilos. The facelift W212 E63 was prescient: this format — all-wheel-drive, twin-turbo energy — would go on to outline the AMG’s vehicles over the subsequent decade and past.

2016: The Last (for Now) E63 Debuts, Refining the Recipe

The spring of 2016 noticed the arrival of the next-generation E-Class, identified internally because the W213 era and constructing upon the stylistic precedent set by the W212’s mid-life replace, with extra curved traces and muscular haunches. The new E63 that debuted in November — now formally often called the Mercedes-AMG E 63, because of a change in company construction that made AMG a sub-brand alongside Maybach as an alternative of a trim degree — constructed open that with an excellent bolder entrance fascia than ever, giving the sedan and wagon an intimidating face that wouldn’t look misplaced on a full-bore sports activities automobile.

And for the third time in a decade, the V-8 below the AMG E-Class’s hood was swapped out. The brand new twin-turbocharged motor, identified internally as M177, displaced simply 4.0 liters — a displacement shared with the brand new V-8 making its method throughout the mainstream Mercedes-Benz lineup — however AMG’s magic meant energy rose but once more. Customary E 63 fashions now made 563 horsepower and 553 lb-ft, whereas the brand new E 63 S made a thumping 603 hp and 627 lb-ft. (Properly, Mercedes determined solely to deliver the stronger model to the US in each sedan and wagon types.) All that energy as soon as once more was forwarded to all 4 wheels, however a brand new nine-speed gearbox supplied an excellent higher number of ratios.

On account of all that work, the brand new E 63 S proved faster than all its predecessors when the lights turned inexperienced. Automotive and Driver’s testing noticed the brand new E 63 S sedan blast from naught to 60 in 3.0 seconds flat and thru the quarter-mile in 11.1 second at 126 mph, smacking apart the likes of entry-level McLarens of the day.

For the primary time in a long time, the AMG E-Class line spanned multiple variant — though the brand new ones have been a far cry from the uncommon E36 / E50 / E60 variations of the Nineties. In an effort to deliver extra patrons into the AMG household at a cheaper price level, Mercedes expanded the road to incorporate at E 43 in fall 2016 with a twin-turbo V-6 making 396 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque, which was quickly changed by an E 53 in 2018 that used a 429-hp, 384-lb turbocharged-and-hybridized inline-six. (Many fans have insisted these fashions quantity to the AMG equal of Bud Mild, on account of the truth that their engines aren’t made by a single worker in Affalterbach the way in which the 63s are.)

And, aside from a delicate 2020 facelift that added one pony and three pound-feet and a revised entrance finish with a brand new vertically strafed grille and smaller headlights, that’s the place the story ends for now. Whereas a brand new era of E-Class known as W214 arrived in 2023, it hasn’t but spawned a real AMG model; a brand new E 53 joined the road in 2024, and whereas its plug-in hybrid powertrain makes a powerful 604 hp and 553 lb-ft, its turbo inline-six’s lack of one-man-one-engine origins successfully places it within the AMG Lite class. The following chapter of the E 63’s story stays to be written — however we will’t wait to learn it when it’s prepared.