Chassis and braking system: Innovative new features for superlative driving dynamics
High cornering speeds, exhilarating driving dynamics coupled with typical Mercedes long-distance comfort ? when it comes to the chassis and braking system, AMG has developed innovative systems that ensure the new E 63 AMG consolidates its leading position in the high-performance saloon segment.
The sophisticated AMG RIDE CONTROL sports suspension on the E 63 AMG combines steel suspension at the front, while an all-air suspension system is used at the rear. This exclusive solution guarantees a sensitive response from the front springs while the vehicle is kept at a constant height thanks to the automatic level control system ? irrespective of the load. The top-of-the-line AMG model differs from the other E-Class variants with its newly developed three-link front suspension with wider track ? 56 mm wider than the E 500. In conjunction with new hub carriers for more negative camber at the front, this provides much more grip when taking bends at high speed.
Another feature of the AMG RIDE CONTROL sports suspension is the electronically controlled damping system: the system varies the damping characteristics instantly according to the driving situation, road speed and load status, reducing the roll angle of the body. For the driver this means instant, continuously variable adjustment between the greatest possible agility and optimum ride comfort ? depending on the driving style and route. The damping can also be individually adjusted by pressing the appropriate button in the AMG DRIVE UNIT. A push of a button is all it takes for the electronics to switch from "Comfort" to "Sport" or "Sport plus." The selected mode is displayed in the AMG instrument cluster.
"Comfort" delivers a sensitive response with soft damping characteristics, while the shock absorber response is an average xx percent firmer in "Sport". "Sport plus" is ideal for challenging laps on private racing circuits; here the shock absorbers are around another xx percent firmer. The E 63 AMG can be dynamically enhanced even further ex factory, with the Performance package: The Performance package includes the AMG RIDE CONTROL Performance suspension with its even firmer set-up, lightweight forged 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels, and a rear axle locking differential with 40 percent locking action (see also page 27).
Eleven sensors for electronic damper control
The electronic damper control utilises four sensors to permanently monitor the drive and brake torque along with steering angle and lateral acceleration. Four position sensors are also used to determine the ride height and to ascertain the direction of motion. Three acceleration sensors help identify the absolute body roll.
Powerful control electronics that interact constantly with the engine and transmission control units instantly adjust the forces at the four shock absorbers.
New axle components and more direct steering
The high-grade axle components provide further testimony to the painstakingly redesigned AMG RIDE CONTROL sports suspension. New steering knuckles, wishbones, torque strut bearings and head bearings at the front provide extra stability and improved road contact. A weight-optimised, thicker tubular stabiliser reduces body roll on fast S-shaped bends. The rear suspension has also been substantially reworked in the interests of enhanced handling stability: new track rods, push-pull rods and far more rigid mountings for the subframe ? on which the rear axle is mounted ?, translate into enhanced dynamics when cornering. The AMG-specific kinematics and the new elastokinematics on both axles also noticeably increase precision during cornering ? a solution that has already proven itself on the C 63 AMG.
Added to which is the newly developed rack-and-pinion steering: the selected steering ratio which is 22 percent more direct (14 : 1), together with the reconfigured characteristic mapping of the speed-sensitive servo assistance conveys more agile cornering. More feedback in all driving situations comes courtesy of the Hardy disc made out of a rubber compound that is 33-percent harder; it sits between the steering shaft and steering coupling.
3-stage ESP? with Sport function as in the SL 63 AMG
The 3-stage ESP? is also consistently tailored to the superb dynamic qualities of the E 63 AMG: familiar from the SL 63 AMG and C 63 AMG, the Electronic Stability Program supports three individual control strategies at the push of a button: the ESP? button in the AMG DRIVE UNIT allows the driver to choose between "ESP ON", "ESP SPORT" and "ESP OFF" ? with the currently active mode shown in the display of the AMG instrument cluster. In "ESP ON", the onset of handling instability leads to braking intervention at one or more of the wheels, accompanied by a reduction in engine torque.
Briefly pressing the ESP? button activates "ESP SPORT". In this mode the braking intervention to counter oversteer or understeer, as well as the accompanying reduction in engine torque, allows a higher dynamic threshold and, for instance, corresponding drift angles ? providing the driver with the benefit of far greater driving pleasure. Operating the brake pedal restores all the normal ESP? functions. Prolonged pressure on the ESP? button activates "ESP OFF". There is no intervention to control the handling dynamics and generally no reduction in engine torque ? thus increasing driving enjoyment even further. "ESP OFF" should only be used by experienced drivers on dedicated racetracks. In this mode too, operating the brake pedal restores all the normal functions of ESP?.
The system's traction logic is active in all three ESP? modes. If one of the drive wheels starts to spin, specific brake pressure is applied to virtually create the effect of a mechanical differential lock. This means that the engine power is transferred to the road even more effectively.
New AMG ceramic composite brakes as an option
As you would expect from an AMG high-performance car, the new E 63 AMG also comes with an ultra-powerful braking system. Internally ventilated and perforated brake discs with their generous 360-millimetre dimensions are fitted front and rear. The highly stressed front discs featuring composite technology that has been tried and tested in motor racing help offset temperature peaks more effectively. Grey-painted brake callipers with white AMG lettering and six-piston (front) and four-piston (rear) technology provide spontaneous, fade-resistant deceleration and extremely short stopping distances.
All-new AMG ceramic composite brakes are available as an option ? instantly recognisable with their gold-painted brake callipers with the "AMG Carbon Ceramic" logo. Thanks to the special materials and production technology used to manufacture the discs from carbon-fibre-reinforced ceramic in a vacuum at 1700 degrees Celsius, the ceramic discs are much harder. This not only increases the service life many times over compared with a grey cast iron disc, but also their resistance to extreme loads and heat. The result is extremely short stopping distances, exact pressure point and much higher fade resistance even under extreme operating conditions. The larger ceramic discs ? front: 402 x 39 millimetres; rear: 360 x 32 millimetres ? also feature a composite design and are connected with a floating radial mount to an aluminium bowl.
Compared with the conventional composite brake discs, the ceramic brake discs are around 40 percent lighter. The further reduction in unsprung masses not only boosts driving dynamics and agility but also improves steering response as well as ride comfort and contact characteristics. Six-piston fixed callipers are fitted at the front with a brake lining surface of 2 x 154 cm2; four-piston fixed callipers with a brake lining surface of 2 x 73 cm2 are used at the rear.
Overview of brake data:
Composite braking system
Ceramic composite braking system
Front:
Brake calliper Brake disc
Diameter Thickness Weight*
6-piston aluminium fixed calliper Composite technology, internally ventilated, perforated
360 mm
36 mm
13.6 kg
6-piston aluminium fixed calliper Ceramic composite technology, internally ventilated, perforated
402 mm
39 mm
7.9 kg
Rear:
Brake calliper Brake disc
Diameter Thickness Weight*
4-piston fixed calliper Solid, internally ventilated, perforated
360 mm
26 mm
11.1 kg
4-piston fixed calliper Ceramic, solid, internally ventilated, perforated
360 mm
32 mm
6.6 kg
* weight of brake disc
Numerous functions of the AMG high-performance braking system enhance comfort and safety. Take the practical HOLD function: if the E 63 AMG has come to a stop, the driver simply needs to press the brake pedal a little bit firmer. The vehicle is now held by the brake ? even if the driver takes their foot off the brake pedal. This prevents the vehicle from unintentionally rolling forward in stop-and-go traffic or inadvertently rolling back on an uphill slope. The HOLD function is automatically disengaged once the vehicle is driven forward. Another useful feature comes in the shape of the hill-start assist. If the sensor technology detects that the driver has stopped on an incline, the brake pressure is automatically maintained constant for a short period. This means the E 63 AMG will not roll back and the driver has sufficient time to switch their right foot from the brake to the accelerator pedal without having to use the parking brake.
If the driver of the AMG saloon suddenly switches from the accelerator to the brake pedal prior to emergency braking, the braking system increases the pressure in the brake lines and applies the pads to the brake discs, so that they can grip instantly with full force when the brake pedal is pressed. The system supports the standard-fit Brake Assist by means of this 'priming'. Further standard features include the brake-drying function, which uses brief braking impulses to ensure the film of water on the brake discs is removed in the wet, thus considerably improving the responsiveness of the brakes.
AMG 18 or 19-inch light-alloy wheels
The AMG light-alloy wheels in an 18 or 19-inch design play a major part in the dynamic, stable handling of the new E 63 AMG. The saloon comes as standard with titanium grey, high-sheen five-spoke wheels measuring 9.0 x 18 or 9.5 x 18 and 255/40 R 18 tyres at the front and 285/35 R 18 at the rear. As an option, the AMG Performance Studio includes forged 19-inch AMG twin-spoke light-alloy wheels painted titanium grey with a mirror finish, shod with 255/35 R 19 (front) and 285/30 R 19 (rear) wide-base tyres.
