Mercedes-AMG E63 S will have over 600bhp

On paper this looks like a step towards the relatively boring and sensible. The old E63 S had a monster twin-turbo 5.5-litre V8 powering the rear wheels. A combination that attracted executive hooligans everywhere.

But the new model features a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 and four-wheel drive. Well, that goes to show what use paper can be.

Because the smaller engine produces 603bhp and 626lb ft of torque. Compare that to the 577bhp and 590lb ft of the old car. So, more power, but to all four wheels? It’s actually a fully variable four-wheel drive system which can put virtually all the power to the rear wheels if desired. Since many will desire just this, Mercedes-AMG is going to give it a mode all to itself. Hmm, what to call it? Ah, Drift Mode.

All of this will be controlled by a new nine-speed SpeedShift auto transmission, so it should happen smoothly, very rapidly and with minimal disruption to the flow of power to two or four wheels. This is reflected in the 0-62mph time which should be just 3.5sec.