Why no E63 AMG coupe or convertible?

Apologies if already mentioned, but I had a brief search and didn't really find anything.

Mercedes-Benz and their in-house high performance tuning company AMG are experiencing very good times. Sales are up, and the appeal and popularity of their products has been enormous.

Nearly all Mercedes-Benz models have their top-of-the-range version as the AMG model, for all body variants. Not all are available in every country, but Mercedes-AMG make a C63 sedan, estate and coupe; CL 63 and 65 coupe; CLS 63 4-door coupe; G55 off-roader; S63 and S65 sedan; SL 63 and 65 roadster, and an ML 63 SUV, soon to be brought across to the new shape, and in the long-term, the popular GL-Class will receive an AMG variant in its second generation. The new SLK will most likely receive the AMG treatment also. Even the R-Class had an AMG variant at one stage!

One of Mercedes-Benz's most popular and segment dominating models, their E-Class, is produced in the sedan, wagon, coupe and cabriolet body styles. An AMG variant is available, but only for the sedan and wagon. As Mercedes-Benz seem to not be hurrying to produce an AMG coupe or cabriolet E-Class, many suggest Mercedes-Benz have even cancelled such a car and scrapped the idea. Allegedly, they claim it might rival their new CLS 63 AMG. Confused?

What confuses me, and surely many others, is why they would miss the AMG variant on two of their popular models. Many of my friends, who know I love cars, ask me what Merc's rival to the M3 is, and I really don't have much to say. I see plenty of E500 coupes and cabriolets over here in Australia, where the smaller, 4-cylinder models usually take preference, so I'm sure across in America and other Mercedes-Benz markets, the E500/E550 is a popular choice also. Meanwhile, the more expensive CLS is moderately popular, but hasn't taken off, and the CLS 350 option definitely seems to be the more popular choice over the 500/550 and 63 AMG.

The M3 is a market leader and is arguably one of the best cars available, ever. The new C-Class coupe, which won't be made into a convertible, is an inch smaller than the M3, which is 3 inches smaller than the E-Class, so size-wise, the M3 and E have pros and cons when comparing them against each other in the dimensions department, but realistically, 3 inches doesn't put them into another category. Matched with a full AMG bodykit, the new E-Class coupe and cabriolet would be (once again debatable but..) very good looking and agressive cars. Paired with the power of a 5 and a half litre 63 AMG engine, I'm sure this would be very tempting to those looking at the E550 or even the M3!

Time will tell, but in my opinion, the C63 AMG won't be an incredibly popular car. While pricing hasn't been completely finalised in all markets, over here in Australia it seems as if the coupe will cost more than the sedan and the wagon. Meanwhile, the E-Class coupe and cabriolet, which are also based on the C-Class sedan, seem to be finding their way into the homes of many. M3 sales are on fire. In my opinion, Mercedes-Benz is out of line with their competition. The C-Class coupe is too big to directly rival the 1 Series, being 8 inches bigger. And then the E-Class coupe and convertible are within a similar size of the M3, but they don't have an AMG variant to compete against the very successful BMW. How can Mercedes ignore such an important market? For some reason, they see fit that there seems to be a market for an AMG variant of a 7-seater SUV, but not for a 4-seat coupe and convertible?



motor1

internationalmanofmystery - 7/1/2011 9:46:12 AM

-1 Boost

"Why no E63 AMG coupe or convertible?"

Because pricewise you might compete with the S65 Designo!! LOL

kit567 - 7/1/2011 9:57:08 AM

0 Boost

Why no E63 AMG coupe or convertible?

I don't know what MB thinks, but in my opinion it just won't have a place in their lineup. Their small, coupe competitor to the M3 is the C63 coupe. Sedan competitor to the M5 is E63...and the more sexy, coupe-like alternative is the CLS63 AMG.

If Mercedes had an E63 Coupe, it may, as you stated earlier, cannibalize sales from the CLS63.

I don't understand why you think BMW has no Mercedes competitor to the M3. Just using logic, a C would be more of a competitor to a 3 series variant than an E would. In size, the C63 is also closer to the M3 than an E63.

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 7/1/2011 2:49:01 PM

+1 Boost

M6 Segment ?

Yonder7 - 7/1/2011 11:02:55 AM

+1 Boost

I wish that E63 AMG,, but I thing they do not want to do it for no reason. If they do it It will be more expensive than the C coupe and it will be gunned to the M6 which is not to the level of the Cl but also above the the C class

MiKeyMia - 7/1/2011 11:15:56 AM

+1 Boost

I hope they are waiting to see how they can make the E63 coupe a direct competitor to the New BMW M6. Kinda like show me yours before i show you mine. They should at lease consider a AMG Black edition. Some may argue that they have the CL63 and 65. But have you seen the size of that thing. Only true competitor to that is the Bentley Continental GT.

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 7/1/2011 2:50:52 PM

+1 Boost

Very Insightful comment.

Makes sense to wait till they see BMWs numbers before tweaking theirs to match or best it {On paper at least}

ThierryHenry14 - 7/1/2011 12:08:06 PM

+2 Boost

I think its in the pipeline... Nobody says they will not produce it...

Yonder7 - 7/1/2011 1:09:00 PM

+1 Boost

MiKeyMia: You are 100%. CLS is like a supercuiser. Completely oriented to Security, Luxury, Driving and Comfort in that order. BMW do not have any like that cause is not so profitable as some may think. Price wise also is not right to compare it with the CL. CL full may cost twice of or even 3 times the price that you pay for a 6 series depending of the options. Both are luxury cars but in different level.

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 7/1/2011 2:58:05 PM

+1 Boost

Yes they do

Its called an M5

Only FOOLS fall for that 4-Door Coupe BullShite. CL, E-Coupe, 6-Series: These are considered Coupes. Anything with 4-Doors are Sedans, Frameless Doors are just that, FRAMELESS DOORS.

Now i think of it, the 1999 Lexus ES should be called a 4 Door Coupe.

P.S.
I am not calling you a fool or anything like that. Just stating that people who need 4 Door Hypersedans will view both the E Class AMG, CLS AMG, M5 and RS6 in the exact same way.

Willis - 7/2/2011 6:46:20 AM

+2 Boost

"Now i think of it, the 1999 Lexus ES should be called a 4 Door Coupe."


You'd be surprised how many Lexis-diehards care comparing the ES to cars like the Aston Martin Rapide, Porsche Panamera, MB CLS, BMW 6er Gran Coupe and Audi A9.

I don't know whether to laugh or cry at that comment. A gussied-up Toyota Camry being compared to the elite of the world...

Yonder7 - 7/1/2011 4:55:40 PM

+1 Boost

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS: I agree but CLS start a new tendency: Styled sedans, and almost every Luxury manufacturer is following cause is a big market and MB is not anymore the only one doing that type of car.

TauronB2G - 7/1/2011 8:29:33 PM

+1 Boost

I bought a E550 convertible in December (Christmas present from me to me) and I would have definitely considered an E63 Convertible if it had been out. I think they are worried about making a business case. With the new C class coupe it might be tight. I think they could make one though and charge an obscene amount of money for it. The new E coupe/cabrio are much better than the old CLK for which there were amg variants.
T

mb4lyf - 7/4/2011 11:49:18 AM

+1 Boost

Most of you have great points: But there are a couple of points that you all have missed....
Let's look back on the history of the now E-class Coupe/Convertible ...2 years back it was the CLK yes? Now refer back to the sales of the amg variants clk55/63 in either coupe of convertible forms sales were always "all over the place so to speak". Now lets talk real NUMBERS. in which plays a HUGE part in why the current e-class amg coupe/ covert. has been prolonged ... in the days of the clk a 55/63 was pricing was for new at almost 100k for a halogen version or spend about 120k and have a proper merc. and about 90k plus on the pre-owned side in 2010 i have even seen a couple in Houston with halogen headlights and no options with a price of 99,990 at greenway mercedes, and it was sitting next to a SL 65 2 years older with 15k miles for 75k (which one would you buy) ...SO with that fact the problem is the pricing when looking at it from a consumer standpoint new or pre owned the pricing was always in SL territory. the sl of that time starting at 105-110k for the sl NEW ..so it leave you thinking. A hard loaded clk 55/63 was well into the 120k plus price range if you include options like amg track package and other fun stuff 130k plus for s designo....... so just get a SL flagship that comes with all the standard bells and whistles plus a hardtop? ( lets be honest at a 100k status plays a part). . lets not even throw in the fact that to make dream come true in todays world pre owned is a bright option and more the often cross-shopped with new vehicles. SO in all im a guessing pricing and sales (of prev. clk amg's) makes it hard for the E class to have an amg coupe or convet. BUT IT WAS RUMORED ALOT THAT THEY HAVE ALSO WAITED DUE TO A E-CLASS COUPE BLACK SERIES AMG TO BE PRODUCED INSTEAD .

which would make more sense for a true enthusiast pricing of the black e-coupe would not bother them one bit as you get a great car in return vs. e63 coupe /coverts people might not want to dish out the over 100k to still not have an sl equipped car.........

isaacu - 7/4/2011 12:28:01 PM

+1 Boost

Only last week I was pondering the same thought. I do not see any reason reason why Mercedes-Benz will not produce such a E63 Coupe variant. Marketing-wise, it is an attractive proposition.

Isaacu