Mercedes lifts the super-saloon stakes with the 580bhp E 63 AMG 'S'

There’s more power, more torque, but still no all-wheel drive. But at least there’s an AMG rear axle limited-slip differential as standard.

It will need it to. The E 63 AMG S Model now offers 577bhp (up by 20bhp) and 800 Nm of torque (up by 80 Nm), which makes it the fastest E-Class ever offered in the UK.

Available in Saloon and Estate variants, the new S Model will accelerate from 0 to 62mph in 4.1 seconds and 4.2 seconds respectively.

Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions remain the same, with 28.5 mpg and 232 g/km for the Saloon and 28.3 mpg and 234 g/km for the Estate.

The only downside of ticking the ‘S Model’ box on your E 63 AMG order is the price. Ranging from £83,740 for the Saloon to £85,530 for the Estate, the new S Model’ is £9,995 more than the standard E 63 AMG and while you do gain a nice new set of ‘S’ badges, that’s still a hefty increase over a model which is already blessed with a surfeit of performance.

Standard equipment includes high-gloss black front apron with silver-shadow splitter, side sill panels and rear trim strip with silver-shadow inserts, an AMG spoiler in body colour, 19 inch AMG alloy wheels painted in Titanium matt grey, red brake calipers, and ‘S’ labelling on the boot lid.

Inside, you’ll find black nappa leather upholstery with grey contrast stitching, silver seat belts, an AMG emblem in the headrests, an electric rear roller blind for the Saloon, AMG door sills with white LED illumination, and an AMG instrument cluster with red needles and yet more S Model badging.

Both models are available to order now, with production beginning in June.