Mercedes-Benz has completely upped the game when it comes to interiors in their cars and the E 63, being one of their top-tier products, is no different. The cockpit is the ideal blend of flashy and elegant with top-quality materials. You get wood, aluminium and piano black inserts along with soft-touch Nappa leather and good quality plastics. The only thing that was a bit of an eyesore was the piano-black surface on the centre console, which was laden with scratches.

What stands out further is the signature widescreen layout which houses two 12.25-inch screens where one can switch between the three available AMG displays – Modern Classic, Sport, and Supersport. The AMG performance steering wheel is another jewel. It feels fantastic to hold, has dedicated buttons to change the car settings, and has paddle shifters that look and feel like a work of art.

The core of any AMG is the engine, and the E 63 AMG comes with an absolute nuclear powerhouse. Under the long hood lies a four-litre, bi-turbo V8, which makes a mammoth 612bhp and an unbelievable 850Nm of torque. Just for reference, a Lamborghini Huracan EVO, which is one of the most popular supercars, is powered by a naturally aspirated V10 and puts out 631bhp and 600Nm of torque.

So the mentioned figures from a relatively sedate-looking family sedan are nothing short of outrageous. All that power is transferred to all four wheels via an AMG-specific nine-speed automatic gearbox. To increase agility, one also gets the AMG rear axle differential lock which makes sure all that power is put on the road properly.  Now I am pretty sure these specs read pretty impressive on paper, but nothing prepares you for the actual onslaught. Pressing the starter button, the big V8 barks to life and settles into a steady rumbling idle. That rumbling V8 sensation can be felt through the steering and the aluminium pedals, and it’s a fantastic feeling to know that there’s a big rumbling V8 ahead of you.

Talking about ride and handling, the E 63 S gets the AMG Ride Control Plus. The multi-chamber air suspension feels supple and absorbent in comfort mode, so it’s easy to putter around town or make those highway trips. But with 20-inch alloys and 30/35 profile tyres, one always has to be careful to avoid sharp ruts and nasty potholes. So yes, it’s not the most practical performance car out there, but with the kind of performance it packs, there is bound to be some compromise.

In Sport mode, the E 63 S is an absolute demon, and I simply did not have the cojones to push it on public roads. The steering feels direct, and the E 63 S, despite its two-ton-plus weight, turns like a race car. The AWD means loads of grip, and powering through corners is a surreal experience. But then, one needs to take the E 63 S to a race track to fully exploit its potential. To gain more control, the car also gets the M mode, which allows the driver to directly command the gear shifts using the steering-mounted paddle shifters and should you feel like Ken Block, you can just switch to rear-wheel-drive by activating race mode and switching off ESP.

The best part about the E 63 S is how it transforms its character at the mere press of a button. One moment it’s a comfortable sedan that one can commute in, and the next moment it’s shredding its tyres, humbling supercars.

The E 63 S will go up against the BMW M5 Competition, which also promises similar performance. Priced at Rs 1.77 crore, the E 63 S is for those who want all the performance of a supercar but need the practical aspects of a sedan as well. The E 63 S offers an amazing cabin, a plethora of features and more than enough performance to satiate the most ardent performance enthusiasts.