Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG wagon headed to North America

Mercedes-Benz officials confirmed on Thursday that the 2012 E63 AMG wagon will be part of the North American lineup.

Slated to arrive in October, the high-performance wagon will get the same 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged, direct-injection V8 that debuted in the 2012 E63 AMG sedan at the New York auto show in March. It produces 518 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. An optional performance package boosts the output to 550 hp and 590 lb-ft.

Like its sedan counterpart, the 2012 E63 AMG wagon gets stop/start technology paired with a seven-speed multiclutch transmission. New 19-inch, 10-spoke wheels are included, but only the wagon version gets a panoramic roof as standard equipment.

The Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG wagon was sold in the United States with the previous E-class generation through the 2009 model year. Mercedes spokesman Dan Barlie says it had a loyal customer base, and the E350 4matic nonperformance wagon still attracts some of the wealthiest Mercedes buyers.

By Michelle Koueiter