The latest Mercedes-Benz E-Class is one of the poshest and most tech-rich cars on the road, at any price. That's set to change with the next-generation Mercedes-AMG E63, a nearly here, twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 sledgehammer expected to marshal over 600 horsepower in S trim (enough oomph to dispatch 60 mph in about 3.5 seconds). 52,150 E300, whose 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder offers less than half the power -- 241 hp and 273 pound-feet of torque -- and the forthcoming E63. A gaping hole big enough to drive this 2017 Mercedes-AMG E43 clean through, in fact. It isn't just a larger engine under the hood that gives the E43 the right to wear Affalterbach's fabled A-M-G script on its trunk lid. It also receives a lot of other performance-minded hardware, including a self-leveling air suspension with dedicated sports tuning, standard 4Matic all-wheel drive with a more pronounced rearward torque bias, and a quicker steering ratio.

The latest Mercedes-Benz E-Class is one of the poshest and most tech-rich cars on the road, at any price. That's set to change with the next-generation Mercedes-AMG E63, a nearly here, twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 sledgehammer expected to marshal over 600 horsepower in S trim (enough oomph to dispatch 60 mph in about 3.5 seconds). 52,150 E300, whose 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder offers less than half the power -- 241 hp and 273 pound-feet of torque -- and the forthcoming E63. A gaping hole big enough to drive this 2017 Mercedes-AMG E43 clean through, in fact. It isn't just a larger engine under the hood that gives the E43 the right to wear Affalterbach's fabled A-M-G script on its trunk lid. It also receives a lot of other performance-minded hardware, including a self-leveling air suspension with dedicated sports tuning, standard 4Matic all-wheel drive with a more pronounced rearward torque bias, and a quicker steering ratio.

Zero-to-60 is pledged to run about 4.5 seconds, and top speed is electronically capped at 130 mph. If anything, Benz's official 0-to-60 time feels a shade conservative. Inside, the E-Class' cabin has been given an industry-standard "sports" makeover, including grippier seats (with red seat belts!), unique pedals and red contrast stitching. It's a pretty convincing transformation as far as these things go, but the E-Class' top priority is clearly still luxury, as it should be. My tester was fitted with optional extras including an exceptional 23-speaker Burmester High-End 3D surround-sound audio system (with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility), and Benz's rather precious Air Balance fragrance system borrowed from the S-Class. However, the cabin's most amazing feature will always be the twin 12.3-inch screens that make up the gauge cluster and center infotainment display. They're encased in a floating mount covered by a single piece of mineral glass, lending them the appearance of one long, uninterrupted screen. In fact, like other E-Class models, the E43 will shortly be available with Car-To-X capabilities, making it the first production connected car on the market. By communicating through a central information center, E-Classes will automatically be able to update other nearby E-Classes about driving conditions on the road ahead. The tech is actually already available in European models, but MBUSA still has some red tape to cut in Washington before it can offer it here. Sadly, it's not yet clear how much all of this prescience, performance and poshness will cost. 75K, leaving plenty of daylight between it and the next E63, which is likely to have a six-digit starting price. Climb in the driver's seat for the latest in reviews, advice and picks by our editors.

Drive Pilot can do a lot of the boring bits of driving for you. It'll follow cars at up to 130 miles per hour and keep a safe distance from them, and even read traffic signs and adjust speed accordingly. Mercifully, you can deactivate that last bit if you really like speeding. Steering Pilot will keep you in your lane when you can't be bothered to, which is a handy thing when the drudgery of traffic makes you want to scream at small animals, children and the elderly. The car can also brake for you, assist with evasive steering, and, if it detects you're about to have a crash (front or rear), it'll pretension your seat belt and ready itself -- and you -- for a shunt. It can be a bit overeager to step in, though. When I was driving toward a cameraman, it thought I was going to plow straight into him and decided to drop the anchors and pin me to my seat.

Better to be safe than sorry? Stepping inside the E63 is a treat. The standard E-Class cabin is a thing of beauty, but giving it the AMG treatment has only added appeal. AMG badges are thrown around the place, nods to its performance and heritage are evident. The sport seats are comfortable and super adjustable. Everyone should be able to find a position that suits them. Most impressive is the dual-screen setup. Much like Audi's Virtual Cockpit, the E63's instrument binnacle is actually a 12.3-inch LCD that can be configured to your aesthetic preference and displays about as much information as you could ever need. The center console gets another 12.3-inch LCD, and it's hooked up to Mercedes' COMAND infotainment. It's big, offers great clarity and it works well enough. I've never found COMAND as intuitive to use as Audi's MMI or BMW's iDrive -- the latest iteration of which is even better than before. The touchpad control never really seems as precise as it should, which is a letdown.

Are you ready for the fun part? The E63 is comfortable and has more than enough space to keep you and your family happy while hauling a trunkload of stuff. A wagon is on the way as well, so your dog can also experience more than 600 horses on the highway. The big change in this E63 over previous models is that it's all-wheel drive only. Previously, AMG would give a standard car a ton more power and suspension tweaks to make it lairy at speed, but with this much grunt on board? AWD all the way. Where once your E63 might've stepped out on you mid-bend, causing the traction control light to angrily flash at you, the car will now guide you along skid free and with a big grin on your face. Unless you activate the E63 S Drift Mode, that is. This sends the power to the rear wheels only and allows you to destroy as many back tires as you can afford in as little time as possible. Mercedes-AMG doesn't want to ignore its past.