The Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG super saloon has had its naturally aspirated 6.2-litre V8 engine swapped for the AMG division’s new 5.5-litre twin-turbocharged powerplant.

It’s still named E63, however, while the downsized blown unit from the S63 and CLS63 offers a 22 per cent increase in fuel efficiency over the outgoing car, thanks to its smaller capacity and stop-start system. The Speedshift MCT seven-speed gearbox remains unaltered.

The all-important vital statistics make for typically impressive reading: 511bhp and 516lb ft. Power has fallen by 5bhp but torque is up by a massive 52lb ft, the resulting forward shove likely to cover the horsepower shortfall.

Adding the AMG Performance package (expect to pay around £6500) ups maximum outputs to 542bhp and 590lb ft, rocketing the big Merc to 60mph in 4.3sec, a tenth faster than the standard tune. Top speed increases to an electronically limited 186mph above the standard 155mph.

Minor interior alterations extend to a flattened three-spoke steering wheel, aluminium shift paddles and a 3D full colour TFT display in the centre of the speedometer.

Mercedes has updated the E63 so it may compete more closely against the upcoming twin-turbo V8-endowed BMW M5 and rumoured Jaguar XFR-S. The revised AMG will go on sale later this year priced from around £75,000 for the saloon, the estate likely to command a £3000 premium.

See Chris Harris's Mercedes E63 AMG review

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