Road Test: Mercedes-Benz E Class E63 4dr Auto

Beware the numbers. Everyone can buy AMG wheels these days, a fair few come with similar body kits and you can't hear yourself think for the non-standard exhaust systems that drone around the county on a Saturday night.

What you don't usually get on the fakers is a small pointer to the fact that you're about to get your automotive arse well and truly kicked. It says E63 on the back of this merc. Three small glyphs that should have you standing well back.

This time, M-B has really upped its game and rammed a 6.3-litre V8 into the nose of the facelifted E-Class. Naturally aspirated, this monster pumps out 506bhp and 464lb ft of torque - just enough to give bragging rights over the BMW M5, at which this biggest, baddest E is squarely aimed. It's not exactly shy when it comes to making those figures count either. The E63 will hit 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds and goes on to an electronically-limited 155mph.

So you'd think this big hitter would be shouting about it then? Nope. Discreet is the name of the game here. Nothing too lairy externally: 18in wheels, lip spoiler, small bit of body tweakery, quad exhausts and big composite brakes. Just the muted bellow to give things away, and sometimes that's more of a gentle thrum.

You might notice some other changes too, but that's not just the E63. The E-Class has been 'refreshed' by Merc. There is a new headlight shape as well as new 'adaptive lighting' and extra technology like adaptive braking. There's also been a general improvement in smoothing out the style, and some specific improvements in the range of engines being installed.

Of course, the biggest change is this all-new, normally aspirated six-and-abit V8 mated to Merc's lovely 7G-Tronic auto and adjustable air suspension. Brilliant. But it isn't. Quite.

For me, it's just a little too discreet. I want more drama from an engine so beefy. And there are a few things that knock the gleam off the impressive spec list. The steering, despite having more feeling than ever in a big Merc, is still as tactile as glue. The big, shiny override paddles behind the wheel may be made of alloy, but the box still takes its own time to react, so you end up trusting the auto to do its thing and not bothering to flex your indexes.

Good stuff? In manual mode, the paddles will now keep a gear even at the rev-limiter, so no changing up mid-way round a corner. The traction control can now be switched off and you can roast ludicrous burnouts from 2,500rpm (sorry, Merc).

So the E63 is a mixed bag. A much better car than the E55, but not quite the car that makes people not want an M5 - the final nail in the coffin being a rather hefty £66k price tag.