Mercedes-AMG E 63 history: from the E 55 to the 603 hp E 63 S

Mercedes-AMG E 63 history

Before the E 63 there was the E 55 AMG: in the S211 generation its hand-built, belt-supercharged 5.5-liter V8 made 469 hp. For 2007 the E 63 name arrived with an all-new 6,208 cc naturally aspirated V8 — the first engine developed completely by AMG for its own vehicles — rated at 507 hp.

The 212-series E 63 switched to a 5.5-liter V8 biturbo (518 hp, 516 lb-ft at launch). The 2014 update made 4MATIC all-wheel drive standard on the E 63 S with 577 hp and 590 lb-ft.

The 213-series E 63 S used AMG's 4.0-liter V8 biturbo with 603 hp and 627 lb-ft and the 9-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT. Mercedes-Benz USA currently lists the AMG E 53 HYBRID as the top E-Class.[1],[2],[3]

Years and production numbers

Engine and drivetrain facts

• "Kompressor" on the E 55 meant a belt-driven supercharger, AMG's preferred power booster in that period.
• The 2021 E 63 S sedan's 4.0-liter V8 (3,982 cc) makes 603 hp at 5,750–6,500 rpm; Mercedes estimated 0–60 mph in 3.3 seconds and limited top speed to 186 mph.
• The E 63 S wagon uses AMG Performance 4MATIC+ with a Drift mode in the Race program; Mercedes called the 2018 car the quickest, fastest wagon in the world (0–60 mph 3.4 s est.).

Sources:[1],[2]

What changed, year by year

1. 2007E 63 replaces E 55: naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8, 507 hp.
2. 2012W212 E 63 with 5.5-liter biturbo, 518 hp, rear-wheel drive.
3. 2014Update: E 63 S 4MATIC with 577 hp and fixed 33:67 all-wheel drive.
4. 2017–2018W213 E 63 S: 4.0-liter biturbo, 603 hp, AMG Performance 4MATIC+ with Drift mode.

Sources:[1]

What to check before you buy one

• Match the engine to the generation: supercharged 5.5 (E 55), naturally aspirated 6.2 (2007–2009 E 63), 5.5 biturbo (W212) or 4.0 biturbo (W213).
• AMG wagons were special-order in the US and sold in tiny numbers (126 E 55s, 153 E 63s, 209 W212 wagons in 2012–2013), so confirm a wagon is a genuine AMG with the build record rather than an E 350 with badges.
• Check service history for the transmission and all-wheel-drive system on 4MATIC cars.
• Compare against the E-Class known-issues list for the generation you are looking at.

Model-specific problems by generation are tracked on our Mercedes-Benz E-Class known issues page.

How to verify the factory options of any Mercedes-AMG E 63

Because AMG E-Class wagons were special-order cars, the factory option list varies widely. The data card shows the exact codes a car was built with, including AMG packages and speed-limiter upgrades.