Cars

2010 Mercedes-Benz E63

When a 4-door sedan has an optional "performance Package" you know it means business. The 2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 is the mid-level rocket-ship performance sedan in the Mercedes portfolio slotting slightly above the C63 entry-level sedan and slightly below S63 top-of-the-line sedan. All share the same door count, sub-4.5 second 0-60 acceleration time, similar AMG refreshes and the same AMG 6.2L V8. When installed in an E63 the 6.2L's specific output is pegged at 518 HP or a 10 HP increase over the outgoing 2009 model.

AMG breathes new life into each E63 with an emphasis on improving the overall driving dynamics, and it shows. Each sedan retains the air suspension but only in the rear while replacing the front bags with steel springs in increasing the track to improve overall handling. The transmission is still a slush-box 7-speed but features a wet-disc clutch in lieu of a torque converter and a mighty switch on the center console with options for Controlled Efficiency, Sport, Sport+ and Manual, very un-Mercedes-like words.

Even more unbecoming of a Mercedes is the Performance Package which raises the speed-limiter to 186 MPH (up from 155) as well as the ceramic brakes option (cleaning your wallet of another $8800) but they're squeal and fade free. Reviewers find this car to be the "end of horsepower wars" since its so powerful and enjoy the spectacular chassis dynamics. Read on to find out how the E63 compares to the rest of the 4-door uber-sedans.

• Automobile (First Drive)
• Car and Driver (First Drive)
• Motor Trend (First Drive)
• MBWorld.org (Review)
• AutoGuide.com (First Drive)
• Jalopnik (blog, First Drive)
• Inside Line (Full Test)

2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2L

The Raptor SVT by Ford was originally engineered as a test bed for Ford’s “Hurricane” V8 and was Ford’s first truck built primarily to go off-road (in its 100+ year history no less). While Ford has always celebrated the success of the many other models of F150 no one knew the Raptor SVT would become so popular, garnering over 5000 orders in its first year of production alone quickly surpassing the last SVT truck, the 1999 Lightening SVT. However, the Raptor SVT was released before the Hurricane V8 was available for road use. That is until now.

After much ado, a whirlwind from the Rumor Mill, repeated "spy shots" and to the chagrin of early adopters Ford has finally come to market with the F-150 Raptor SVT 6.2 fuel hog. This (optional) engine pumps out 411 HP and over 430 Ft/Lb's of torque in SVT trim and shaves almost a second off the truck's already stellar (for its weight, calm down) 0-60 run. Still only avalble (for the time being at least) in extended-cab form, Ford's betting the SVT suspension and body work combined with the new engine make a fantastic couple.

• Automobile Mag (Review)
• Car and Driver (First Drive)
• Motor Trend (First Drive)
• Popular Mechanics (Test Drive)
• Four Wheeler (Review)
• Edmunds (First Drive)
• Autoblog (blog, First Drive)