Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG hot list

Mercedes-Benz dealers across the country already hold 30 orders for the hot-shot $234,900 E63 AMG sports sedan and order books are running hot. Deliveries start later this month and Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesman, David McCarthy, says many of the orders came in even before pricing was announced.

"A lot of our clients were expecting prices around $250,000," he says. McCarthy says the E63 is $4056 cheaper than the outgoing model. "That's partly to do with exchange rates and partly because of the hard bargaining with Mercedes-Benz Germany," he says. McCarthy says the lower price, combined with additional equipment and features totalling $28,100, delivers "a net customer advantage of $32,156".

The E63 has been tailored to the Australian market. It is the only market to get 19-inch wheels as standard, along with a rear spoiler and sun protection package. Based on the new E-Class sedan, the E63 gets a powerful AMG-inspired 6.3-litre V8, AMG Ride Control sports suspension with electronically controlled damping and a new front axle. The high-revving naturally aspirated engine develops 386kW/630Nm and slingshots the car to 100km/h in 4.5 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h.

Mercedes-Benz Australia sold about 950 AMG cars last year and is expecting a similar number this year. "Give the economy and the global financial crisis, that's an excellent result," McCarthy says. "AMG in Australia, in terms of market penetration, is continually in the top five markets globally. "I think our customers love the V8s and the AMG brand really resonates with our buyers."