Mercedes-AMG, which is sending off the current V8-powered E63 with a Final Edition, is now preparing to launch a new version reportedly with an inline-six, plug-in hybrid powertrain.
As reported by Autocar, this new-generation Mercedes-AMG E63 will be unveiled in 2024 in both sedan and wagon forms, and go head-to-head with the next-gen BMW M5, which is also expected to have a PHEV powertrain.
Unlike previous reports that speculated the next E63 would use a four-cylinder PHEV powertrain like the C63 S E Performance, it will reportedly receive a heavily-reworked and longitudinally-mounted version of the Mercedes-Benz’s 3.0-litre ‘M256’ turbocharged inline-six petrol engine instead, with a rear-axle mounted electric motor.
The exact modifications Mercedes-AMG made to the M256 inline-six petrol engine are unclear at this stage, but it will reportedly share an 83mm bore measurement and 90mm bore centre spacing with the engines used in the C63 S E Performance and GT63 S E Performance.
Outgoing Mercedes-AMG E63 S
The asynchronous electric motor in the new E63 will reportedly be similar in terms of construction and performance as the 150kW/320Nm unit used on other electrified ’63’ models.
There’ll also be a lithium-ion battery that reportedly will have a usable capacity of 4.8kWh and run on a 400V architecture. Electric range is expected to be low given the Mercedes-AMG’s latest PHEV powertrains have been more geared towards performance than efficiency.
Mercedes-AMG is reportedly targeting a total system outputs of more than 522kW of power and 1020Nm of torque for this new inline-six cylinder PHEV powertrain.
For context, this is 72kW and 170Nm than the outgoing E63 S that’s powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine.
E63 Final Edition
Despite the added weight of the high-voltage electrical equipment, Mercedes-AMG is reportedly aiming to improve on the outgoing E63 S’s 3.4-second 0-100km/h sprint time and 300km/h top speed.
The inline-six cylinder engine in the upcoming E63 will reportedly be mated to a nine-speed Speedshift multi-clutch transmission that will send power to the front and rear axles.
The electric motor on the other hand will reportedly drive the rear wheels through its own automated two-speed transmission, with an integrated electronically-controlled limited-slip differential.
It’s unclear if power from the rear-axle mounted electric motor will be able to sent power to the front wheels like in the C63 S E Performance.
Beyond the flagship E63, Mercedes-AMG is reportedly also planning a successor to the E53 which will be powered by a PHEV setup that consists a milder version of the M256 inline-six cylinder engine and a transmission-mounted electric motor.
Autocar reports this PHEV powertrain is “essentially” the same one that’s used in the S580e, which isn’t offered in Australia.
It produces total system outputs of 380kW and 750Nm, which is 60kW and 230Nm more than the outgoing E53.
The next-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class is expected to be built on a revised version of the Modular Rear Architecture (MRA) with double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension.
Spied Mercedes-Benz E-Class prototype 
Spied BMW M5 prototype
The upcoming E63 will also reportedly get rear-axle steering for the first time.
The regular E-Class has been spied a number of times over the last 12 months and is expected to be revealed this year.
The E-Class’s arch-rival, the BMW 5 Series, is also about to enter a new generation. Prototypes of the new 5 Series have been spied testing ahead of an expected 2023 debut.
