It’s been two months since we got the last round of spy shots of the E63 wagon tearing loose on the Nürburgring. If you glance at the image above, you might think we just got some more shots of the E63 Wagon, but that’s not that case at all. What you’re actually looking at is what we believe to be the Mercedes-AMG E63 Black Series in wagon form. Considering it’s been a few years since we’ve seen an official Black Series model, this is exciting news, to say the least.

While all official details are still kept deep within the Mercedes-AMG vault of non-disclosure, if this thing really is a Black Series model, we already have a pretty good idea of what to expect. Things like an aggressive body kit, enhanced brake system, performance suspension, and lots of other goodies will surely show themselves by the time prototype testing is done. But, until then, let’s take a look at these spy shots and talk about what we can make out and what might be coming to dealers in the near future.

Updated 08/18/2016: Our spy photographers caught the upcoming Mercedes-AMG E63 AMG out for a new testing session, this time close to its test center at the Nürburgring.

Continue reading to learn more about the Mercedes AMG E63 Black Series.

2018 Mercedes AMG E63 Black Series

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2018 Mercedes AMG E63 Black Series
  • Engine/Motor: V8
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Spy Shots

August 18, 2016 - Mercedes-AMG E63 Black Series caught testing near its test center at the Nürburgring

July 19, 2016 - First testing session

Exterior

This is the first time that we’ve seen spy shots for this specific model, so it should come as no surprise that it is heavily covered in camo. So much so, in fact, that we can’t make out too much of what lies below. Comparing the spy shots of the non-Black-Series E63, it becomes painfully clear that the air intakes on this model are much larger while the air dam looks to be the same height and width. We can’t make out the layout of the lights, but they also appear to be the same. By the time the E63 Black Series is ready for production, it should sport a reasonably aggressive front spoiler and a traditional Mercedes-AMG grille.

The side profile of the E63 shouldn’t change much with the Black Series, but there will be larger, more aggressive side skirts to go with the front splitter, and there will be large flares around the wheel arches (as seen in the spy shots) to accommodate the wider wheels and tires. In the past, Mercedes has used carbon fiber for the entire roof panel, so it’s quite possible that the finished product will also sport a carbon fiber roof. Another hint toward this model being a black series are the large brake calipers and drilled and slotted rotors that you can spot through those rust-colored rims.

Moving to the rear, the model in these spy shots looks to be sporting the same bumper as the standard E63, but in the end, it should have a sizeable diffuser to go with those dual, rectangular exhaust outlets. Expect to see the standard AMG badges along with a Black Series-specific paint scheme. For now, that’s all we can make out from these shots, so stay tuned for updates.

Interior

It goes without saying that the interior will likely be littered with more Black Series badges than you can shake a stick at. On top of that, expect to see a flat bottom steering wheel, paddle shifters, and Black Series-specific pedals. Furthermore, expect to see plenty of bare carbon fiber inserts on the door trim panels, dashboard, and center console. Because we all love to hear the crackle from the hand-built AMG powertrain, the infotainment system will probably take a bit of a downgrade to accommodate just that.

As is the usual case with Black Series models, the interior will likely be all black with just a bit of contrast stitching to offset things just a little bit. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a bespoke instrument cluster and racing seats make an appearance within the cabin either. Of course, Mercedes could throw us a curveball and change up its usual Black Series treatment so, until we see some shots of the interior, take everything all this with a grain of salt.

Drivetrain

While no official information about the E63 Black Series is known as of yet, we’re about 99 percent sure that this baby is powered by AMG’s 4.0-liter, twin-turbo, V-8. And, with the Black Series moniker attached to it, it should also get a pretty significant bump in power. We’re thinking it will get somewhere in the range of 625 horsepower, but we’re really hoping to see at least 650 – now that would be a powerful wagon, don’t you think?

On top of this, we can already spot the larger brake calipers that go with the drilled and slotted rotors. We also expect to see performance suspension that will come with a slightly lower ride height and an AMG-tuned exhaust system that should purr a very nice AMG soundtrack. Shifting duties will likely be handled by the same AMG Speedshift MCT transmission found in the 2017 Mercedes S63 and it would be a crime against humanity if the E63 Black Series didn’t come with Mercedes’ 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system, so expect to see that come as a standard feature as well. All told, you can probably expect a 0-to-60-mph sprint time in the 3.6-second range to go with a top speed limited to 186 mph.

Prices

We don’t even have the pricing schedule for the standard E63, so it’s hard to say what the Black Series will go for. The 2016 Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagon is currently going for $104,300, so with that in mind, it wouldn’t surprise me to see the Black Series hit at least $130,000 if not more. Of course, I’m just shooting blind here, so that potential price point could be far from accurate.

Competition

Audi RS 6 Avant Performance

If you’re going to find a competitor for something like the Mercedes-AMG E63 Black Series, you’ve got to pull out the heavy hitters. In this case, my first choice is the Audi RS 6 Avant Performance. Under its hood, you’ll find a 4.0-liter V-8 that delivers a crisp 650 horsepower and a wheel-twisting 516 pound-feet of torque. It probably goes without saying, but this is one of the primary reasons I hope to see the Black Series hit the 650-horsepower mark. Back to the RS6, the horsepower and torque is enough to push this mean grocery getter up to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds to go with an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. At the time of this writing, the RS6 Avant Performance starts out at €117,000, which computes to about $153,343 at current exchange rates.

Read our full review on the Audi RS 6 Avant Performance here.

Conclusion

I have to come right out and say that I’m super stoked to see that the Mercedes is already testing a Black series version of the E63. Any Mercedes is nice, but when you start talking about something like a Black Series model, you step into a completely different ball game. The wagon will look great with the more aggressive body kit, plus there should be enough uniqueness in the interior to really set it apart from the rest of the AMG E-class lineup. We’ll probably see at least one more round of spy shots before Mercedes comes to terms with an official unveiling, so stay tuned for future updates.