From an American point of view, that's pretty steep - the current E63 AMG starts at $87,700. Even in Europe, where cars are more expensive generally and monstrously powerful limited-edition sedans carry an even higher premium, it's still a hefty price. Jaguar's 510hp XF-R starts at €89,900, reflecting a similar premium over the American price of $79,150, but still undercutting the Mercedes Benz E63 AMG's price by a wide margin.
BMW's M5 is priced right alongside the XF-R, leaving another major competitor at a much more attractive price point. With Mercedes also bowing out of the mid-range high-po coupe segment for now, one has to wonder how wide open AMG plans to leave the door.
The price of the new E63 AMG, sourced from Germany's Auto Motor & Sport, likely reflects both changes in the market and in governmental regulations on such high-output cars, in addition to the sheer cost of building the vehicle with its high-tech upgrades.
Mercedes may be able to get away with that, however, given the car's unique features. Unlike the XF-R, the E63 AMG gets a 7-speed dual-clutch MCT transmission, which enables the car to offer four driving modes: "C" (Controlled Efficiency), "S" (Sport), "S+" (Sport plus) and "M" (Manual), which can be selected using a rotary electronic switch in the AMG DRIVE UNIT. All of that tech and power gives the car an impressive 4.4 second run to 60mph, though top speed is still electronically limited at 155mph.
Other key upgrades for the 2010 E63 AMG include a 56mm wider track and unique steering ratio to the standard E-Class, plus an electronically controlled AMG Ride Control suspension system that lets the driver adapt the car to the road or task at hand. Fuel efficiency was also improved by 12% to 18.6mpg.
The 2010 E63 AMG goes on sale here in the U.S. this November, while sales in Europe are expected to kick off in August.
