The E55 AMG proved one of my favourites. It was classy, had dynamic performance to drool over and handled well. But it had one downside. That single overhead cam engine with three valves per cylinder under the bonnet belonged in the dark ages of engines. To get it to be competitive AMG had to supercharge the thing.

Not so the brilliant AMG bespoke 6.3-litre engine. The high-revving E63 AMG with its twin-cam four-valve per cylinder layout will gladden the heart of any enthusiast. But alas, even with some 28kW more power, it’s slower than the 55 up here at Reef altitudes. Yep, that’s the handicap you pay when living at these climes. But those living along the coast will feel the benefits of the 17 or so percent extra oxygen available there, which will allow the normally aspirated engine to redeem itself, while the 55 remains more or less at the same bar rating it had at altitude via its clever supercharger. Problem is that only some 30 percent of South Africa’s population live at these seaboard climes.

God forbid Merc should ever force-feed this 6.3-litre beast, as it would become uncontrollable under full power. But when you floor it, the motor booms frenetically to its peaks, especially when reaching the around 6000rpm mark and beyond. The 6.3 leads its segment in power and torque terms and is also the highest revving. Not only is its specific output of 61kW per litre impressive for an engine this size, but the 630Nm of torque is around 20 percent higher than any comparable engine in its class too. With the correct fuel at the coast the E63 should easily manage the low 5s for the zero to 100km/h sprint.

Throttle response is lightning-quick and around the urban sprawl fuel consumption is acceptable for the high outputs it generates. Braking from high speeds was never a problem either, the E63 staying where you put it without much effort required in attaining this.

If the E55 had one soft aspect, it was its looks. The E63 instead looks more the part with the new and heavily contoured AMG front apron, large air dams and purposeful round fog-lamps with chrome surrounds. Are the Darth Vader-like features of the front just coincidental? But the new breakaway edge on the boot is not just for looks as it reduces lift on the rear axles by 30 percent.

Added to the more aggressive looking front are other new features such as the more dynamic looking side skirts and sportier restyled AMG rear apron with those mean-looking chromed twin tailpipes that emit that deep, sonorous and animal-like growl.

I found the new adaptive Light System an added safety enhancer, the xenon headlamps adjusting according to driving and weather conditions. The lights also have other modes to take care of either country and motorway functions and also add a further 50 metres lighting range ahead. Another feature I found of great assistance was the light-cornering function when taking tight bends in the dark.

In the end, E63 is a highly sophisticated evolution of its crazy forebear, but doesn’t quite have the teeth to bite the benchmark BMW M5.

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