First Look. With a new Mercedes-Benz E-class already out in Europe and destined for U.S. dealerships this July, a new 2010 E63 AMG is also due.

In its battle with the BMW M5 and the Cadillac CTS-V the new AMG sedan again arms itself with a 6.2-liter V-8, revised to produce 525 hp (up from 507 hp) while torque output remains 465 lb-ft. A factory-estimated 0-to-62-mph time of 4.5 seconds is equal to today’s model, although the top speed once again will be electronically capped at 155 mph (a higher limit available as an option). The E63 borrows the SL63 AMG’s seven-speed automatic, with a new race start function and four different programming modes. The mellowest mode is called “Controlled Efficiency,” and its early upshifts help the E63 eke out slightly better gas mileage.