by Gabrielle DeSantis

Thanks to depreciation, used luxury cars from brands like Mercedes-Benz can be surprisingly affordable. And not just ‘regular’ Mercedes models, but AMG ones, too. But is a used AMG genuinely comparable to a brand-new one? Not just in terms of luxury, but performance, too? YouTube team Throttle House wanted to find out. So, the co-hosts headed to the street and track with a 2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG and a 2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 S.

A used 2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG is still a fast luxury car today

For the 2010 model year, Mercedes-Benz released a new E-Class generation, the W212. And the same year, it also released an AMG version: the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG.

Although it mostly relies on forced induction these days, in 2010 AMG still relied heavily on large-displacement naturally-aspirated engines. And that’s exactly the kind of engine the 2010 E63 AMG uses. Under its hood is a hand-built 6.2-liter V8 rated at 518 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque. That power goes to the rear wheels via a seven-speed multi-clutch automatic and an optional limited-slip differential. And with it, the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG goes 0-60 mph in a claimed 4.4 seconds, Car and Driver reports.

The V8 powertrain isn’t the only upgrade the 2010 E63 AMG has over the standard W212 E-Class, though. It has larger anti-roll bars, a wider front axle, as well as stiffer suspension components. The E63 AMG also has quicker steering than the base car, and larger brakes; carbon-ceramic ones were optional. Plus, an optional Performance Package added a stiffer front anti-roll bar, different tuning on the standard adaptive dampers, lighter wheels, and a higher top speed.

However, because the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG is based on the W212 E-Class, it’s not just a performance car. It has luxury features, too, such as self-leveling rear air springs, leather upholstery, power-operated trunk, and navigation. The E63 AMG in the Throttle House video has sport seats with active bolsters, heating, ventilation, and massaging functions. And the owner only paid the equivalent of $21,000 for it.

The 2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 S benefits from more power and newer tech

4.4 seconds to 60 mph is still fairly quick. But in a straight line, the 2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 S is faster still. Fast enough that MotorTrend called the wagon version a “bloodthirsty animal.” And the sedan version isn’t any slower.

Like the 2010 car, the 2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 S has a V8. It’s a 4.0-liter V8, but it comes with two turbochargers. As a result, it makes 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque, sent to all four wheels via standard AWD and a nine-speed automatic. According to Car and Driver, that’s good for a 2.8-second 0-60 mph time.

Some of the 2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 S’s features mirror those on the 2010 car. Carbon-ceramic brakes are still optional, while adaptive dampers and a performance exhaust are still standard. However, the 2021 car has air springs on all four wheels, rather than just the rear ones. The limited-slip differential is now electronically controlled. And while both cars have launch control, the 2021 E63 S has Drift Mode.

The benefits of a decade of technological development are arguably best demonstrated inside. Like the 2010 model, the 2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 S has leather upholstery, heated and ventilated sport seats, and navigation. However, the multi-function steering wheel now houses the drive, transmission, and suspension mode selectors. The gauge cluster is digital and the center screen is a touchscreen. And the 2021 car also comes with a full advanced driver-assistance suite.

Modernity, though, comes at a price. As standard, the 2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 S starts at $107,500. The example in the Throttle House video has features like an expanded ADAS suite, larger wheels, a microsuede headliner, and pinstriped lacquered wood trim. That bumps the sticker price up to roughly $116,000.

New or used, both luxury performance sedans are “just so creaking good,” Throttle House says

On the drag strip, the 2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 S is noticeably faster than the 2010 car. The only way the older car can win is if the new one turns off all its electronic driver aids. And while both AMGs are hilarious fun to drift around a track, the new one is sharper, more precise, and feels smaller when you push it. Also, 11 years of use have left the 2010 car with noticeable interior creaks.

However, the 2010 car has its charming points. There’s the sound of the naturally-aspirated V8 and the “brutish” way it handles, Throttle House explains. And while some of its electronics are dated, it’s not far behind in terms of overall luxury. Plus, you can find good-condition W212-gen E63 AMGs on Autotrader for a quarter of the price of the 2021 car.

In the end, Throttle House couldn’t find a significant flaw with either the new or the used car. So, while the used AMG is slower than the new version, it’s not necessarily worse.

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The post New vs. Used: Can a $21K Mercedes E63 AMG Keep up With a $116K One? appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Despite hitting the road officially back in 2013, seeing a Ferrari LaFerrari in person is still quite a rare sight. However, this model’s age hasn’t stopped Ferrari from utilizing its frame and exterior design to test new upcoming models secretly. This is where this latest prototype comes in to play caught driving around in a new spy video.

The video was posted to YouTube by Varryx, a known supercar spotter that has caught vital footage of several test mules in the past. However, what makes this particular prototype strange isn’t some outlandish aero package or a weird-sounding powertrain. Instead, this car features a few unusual yet subtle details.

What makes this Ferrari LaFerrari prototype so unusual?

If it isn’t extremely noticeable, the unusual component lives in the Ferrari LaFerrari’s front bumper. Notice the vertical design elements that connect the bumper across the main lower air intake. While the main central element is usually finished in the same color as the rest of the car, the pair that flank it usually shows exposed carbon fiber. While it may be difficult to see from the photos or videos, that lower valance is a separate piece.

However, in this Ferrari LaFerrari prototype, everything is finished in the same color as the rest of the car. Additionally, the lower elements in the front bumper stick out considerably more than in the normal production model. As a result, the Italian carmaker might be testing out some subtle aero elements for a new model.

On top of that, you’ll notice that this car’s side mirrors stick out perfectly horizontally. However, the normal production model’s mirrors sloped upward considerably.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen an unusual prototype

According to Varryx, this Ferrari LaFerrari prototype is not new by any means. As Varryx describes it, “this car has been on the road for ages now.” However, the video also claims this prototype has laid dormant for quite some time. However, this video caught the hypercar leaving the carmaker’s factory in Italy without its roof installed.

For the most part, most of the test mules running around have their roofs in place. As a result, this recent sighting is strange for several reasons. A quick scan of the YouTube comments reveals that people believe it’s a prototype of an upcoming model. However, there’s another running theory.

What model could this Ferrari LaFerrari prototype be developing?

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Motor1 brings up a great point, stating that this Ferrari LaFerrari prototype could be a part of the brand’s long-term testing of the hypercar’s hybrid components. The original batch of coupes came out eight years ago at this point. As a result, it is precious for the Italian carmaker to know how these high-tech components can fail over time.

The second and more likely theory is that this LaFerrari is a test mule for an upcoming model. While the electrified SF90 only just began hitting the road, the carmaker could be looking toward its next special edition model. From the video, the car’s exhaust still sounds like a V12, ruling out any possible testing of a V6 hybrid powertrain. Regardless of what it ends up being, we’ll likely see this car again if it’s anything serious.

The post Unusual Ferrari LaFerrari Prototype Reappears in Spy Video appeared first on MotorBiscuit.