Mercedes-AMG bids farewell to its V8-powered flagship with limited edition model
By PH Staff / Tuesday, 31 May 2022 / Loading comments
We knew the end was near, of course. When the V8 is being ousted from supercars, you know its future in saloons must be tapering. Obviously this is unfortunate in a broader sense, but it seems particularly significant for Mercedes-AMG, which has been in the business of fusing improbably large engines with family-friendly cars since its inception. The manufacturer has been selling us on the idea of its petrol-electric four-cylinder replacement for months now – and the official unveiling of the combination in the new C63 is imminent – but, no matter the output, it will struggle to replace the spiritual satisfaction of eight cylinders arranged in a vee.
Deep down, Mercedes-AMG knows this – and because it also knows how to turn a buck, it has endowed the last-of-the-line flagship models of its W213 production run with special edition status. The 999 examples of the Final Edition get no more power from the 4.0-litre V8 biturbo – but they hardly need any; long experience has taught us that 612hp is plenty enough. Instead you get a choice of saloon or estate with exclusive matt graphite grey magno paint, 20-inch AMG forged wheels in a cross-spoke design, AMG emblems on the C-pillars and a dash of stickering on the flanks.
Added to which there’s the familiar advantages of the AMG Night Package alongside trapezoidal, black chrome twin tailpipe trims, and every buyer gets a customised AMG Indoor Car Cover with “AMG E 63 S FINAL EDITION” lettering in matching colour. If you can bear to remove this and actually take your historically significant E63 for a drive, you’ll discover the ritziest ‘AMG Performance Seat Package High-End’ has been installed, together with swathes of carbon trim, brushed stainless steel and contrast stitched black kappa leather. Plus the ‘AMG FINAL EDITION’ badge that designates your car’s ‘1 of 999’ status.
Granted, it’s not the silly-power, flame-out special that would might have appropriately brought the curtain down on a model that includes the legendary Hammer as part of its lineage – but Mercedes-AMG is retiring the V8, not the E63. We’ll learn more about the badge’s new wearer next year, and it is virtually a given that its maker will have ensured that its performance eclipses the outgoing model. Nevertheless, it won’t sound the same or where the time-honoured V8 badge on its wings. For that you’ll need the Final Edition – and if ever there was a combustion-powered, do-it-all car to qualify for a space in the forever garage, it’s this one. No word on price or UK allocation yet, but we’d take ours as a wagon and save it for Sunday best.
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