Get behind the wheel, turn the key, and listen to the roar of the muscular V8 engine underneath the hood. There’s nothing quite like it. Unfortunately, there aren’t too many mass-market sports cars rocking a V8 these days, and it seems like this class of car may be going the way of the dodo. Thankfully, new entries such as the 2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 S are keeping the V8 spirit alive.

There are several heavy-hitters on the more affordable end of the market, such as the Dodge Charger and the Dodge Challenger. However, Mercedes-AMG sports cars represent a more refined driving experience. 

The 2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 S, which rests atop the list of the E-Class’ offerings, is undoubtedly a special breed. Drivers can take the E63 S out for a ritzy night out on the town just as easily as they can burn rubber on the track.

What sets this V8 dynamo apart from other sports cars? Let’s take a peek under the hood and analyze the stats to appreciate everything the E63 S has to offer.

The 2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 S is a love letter to the V8 legacy

Why are V8 engines so special? For many gearheads, these powerful engines encapsulate everything they love about cars. The rumble of the V8 sparks a sense of joy that just can’t be matched by a turbocharged four-cylinder or a V6. Then, there’s the pure power upon acceleration. Nothing quite raises one’s adrenaline level like being pinned to the back of their seat.

However, the automotive industry is moving away from these non-efficient powerplants. Manufacturers such as Toyota ceased V8 development for the time being.

That doesn’t mean car enthusiasts can’t enjoy what they still have. The 2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 S is going strong with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine under the hood. 

This powerplant works in tandem with a nine-speed automatic transmission and an AWD system to crank out 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. With this kind of power, it’s no surprise that the E63 S can rocket from 0-60 MPH in just 3.3 seconds, according to Mercedes-Benz.

Tuned for precision

The 2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 S has brawn reminiscent of power-hungry muscle cars like the Dodge Challenger SRT Super Stock. However, this sports car isn’t just a straight-line burner.

Drivers can tailor the performance of the E63 S to different driving situations. When setting the drive mode selector to Comfort, the E63 S deactivates the second, third, fifth, and eighth cylinders during ‘low-load conditions’ to increase efficiency. 

Meanwhile, Sport mode kicks it up a notch, Sport Plus makes your adrenaline level rise, and Race Mode makes you meld into your seat. You can even take the car out to the track and test your driving skills to their fullest extent with Drift mode.

The 2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 S has a lightweight four-wheel multilink suspension, and it utilizes air body control for a smooth ride. It comes with a high-performance composite braking system, but buyers can add optional ceramic brakes to cut the vehicle’s weight.

Mercedes-AMG certainly kept driving pleasure in mind when crafting this V8-powered sports car.

Is the 2021 E63 S a swan song for V8 sports cars?

 Gearheads will appreciate these high-octane vehicles as long as they roll off the assembly line, for however long that might be. There might not be many V8-powered sedans left in 2020, and the 2021 Mercedes-AMG E63S might just reign supreme over those left standing.

If you’re debating whether to get into a new V8 sports car or wait, you better not delay. It might not be long before your favorite V8 model switches to a more fuel-efficient powertrain.