Saar: It isn’t just the most powerful E-Class variant from the current catalogue. It is, in fact, the most powerful E-Class ever-made.

Last week, Mercedes-Benz India shared its plans for 2018. It categorically mentioned that a total of 10 products will be launched in 2018. And as we know, the Germans do as they promise. Next in launch pipeline is the most powerful version of the sensible E-Class – the Mercedes-AMG E63 S 4MATIC+. It isn’t just the most bonkers E-Class from the current catalogue. It is, in fact, the most powerful E-Class ever-made. The E63 S 4MATIC+ will launch on May 4, 2018.

The main talking point is, of course, the engine. Underneath the long insetting bonnet is a 4.0-litre, twin-turbo V8 engine that puts out 612PS of power and 850Nm of torque. Yep! It is the E63 S we are getting not the puny E63, which has just 571PS of power and 750Nm of torque on tap. In its ‘S’ form, the E63 sprints to 100kmph from a standstill in just 3.3 seconds and hit reaches 299kmph at full blast. That top-speed figure is electronically limited but is way more than the standard E63’s 249kmph (also electronically limited).

The 4MATIC+ is Mercedes’ version of an all-wheel-drive system. And since powering all four wheels has always been the most efficient way to harness all the available grunt, there is no surprise that even the E63 S has it. However, there are customers who like rear-wheel drive cars for a lot of tail-out action. Mercedes-Benz has thought of that and has equipped the E63 S with a ‘drift mode’. Engage that and all the power goes to the rear wheels. Wow! Transmission duties are handled by a 9-speed automatic unit, which for the first time is mated to a wet start-off clutch. We aren’t going to bother explaining how that clutch works because we want you all to stay awake and not doze off.

The E63 S 4MATIC+ is clever too. Sure it gets all the gadgetry from the top-spec E-Class but to make it more economical on the move, Mercedes-AMG has thrown in a cylinder deactivation system. In layman terms, it can turn half of its cylinders off at slow speeds. And no, the E63 S 4MATIC+ isn’t offered in a long wheelbase trim.

Once launched, the bonkers E-Class will take on the BMW M5. Price-wise, expect the three-pointed star to cost around Rs 1.4 crore (ex-showroom). Out of the two, which one do you fancy?