Just yesterday BMW pulled the covers off its revised BMW M5. Not to be outdone their countrymen over in Stuttgart have unveiled the Mercedes-AMG E63S facelift. The range-topper is the last derivative in the E-Class family to receive the updated appearance and latest tech updates. You can read about the recently upgraded E-Class Coupe and Cabrio versions at this link.

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New family face

Mercedes-Benz E-Class family

The most obvious change on the Mercedes-AMG E63S facelift takes place on the front of the car. New, smaller headlamps flank Mercedes’ Panamericana grille. This is the same design as found on other range-leading AMGs such as the A45S, GT63 and GT models. It features vertical bars behind the badge as opposed to horizontal slats as seen on the pre-facelift E63s. The new headlamps are complemented by slimmer taillamps that make the rear end appear wider and flatter.

Read our GT63S driving review and watch our video at this link.

Inside

There are a number of small changes inside, most that won’t go noticed unless you are quite familiar with the current E63S. First up is a new, single piece of glass that links the instrument cluster and infotainment screen. Mercedes has also done away with the rotary controller on the centre console. The latest MBUX infotainment system features touchscreen functionality.

The company’s new twin-spoke AMG Performance steering wheel has also been fitted. This new wheel features an array of touch-sensitive buttons as well as two rotary dials to choose your drive mode and individual settings for the powertrain and suspension.

Twin-turbo V8

Not much has changed under the bonnet, which is not a bad thing. The twin-turbocharged V8 motor is a real peach. In E63S guise, which is the only version that is available in SA, it produces 450 kW and a stonking 850 N.m of torque. Thankfully the E63S has all-wheel-drive to handle that level of power. Drive is transmitted to the wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmission.

Fans of going sideways will be happy to note that all the power can be sent to the rear wheels for smoky tail-out action. Mercedes says theE63S can sprint from 0-100 km/h in 3,4 seconds, with the launch control function engaged. Top speed is rated as 300 km/h.