Mercedes' E-Class gets the AMG treatment for 2010, including engine, suspension, and styling upgrades.

We at Consumer Guide love factory-tuned performance cars as much as any enthusiast. One of the quintessential tuning firms that takes run-of-the-mill cars and transforms them into high-performance machines is Mercedes-Benz's AMG.

With more than 40 years of racing engineering and development under its belt, AMG is setting its sights on Mercedes' revamped 2010 E-Class premium-midsize sedan. The 2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG resides at the top of the E-Class roster. It's designed to appeal to those who want a luxury sedan with a whole lot of spice.

The heart of the operation is AMG's in-house 6.2-liter V8 engine (Mercedes-Benz says it's 6.3 liters, but the actual displacement is 6,208 cubic centimeters). Getting its 518 horsepower to the pavement requires a specialized transmission. E63 has Mercedes' new 7-speed "AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT." MCT stands for Multi-Clutch Technology. Don't let the word clutch scare you. The MCT is basically an automatic transmission that uses a "wet start-up clutch" instead of a torque converter to transfer power from the engine. It can be set to shift just like an automatic; steering-wheel paddles and the console shift lever can facilitate manual gear changes. The wet clutch allows faster gear changes, and its lower weight is also designed to improve fuel economy.

The transmission also sports the "AMG DRIVE UNIT with Race Start Function." This special program works with the transmission, suspension, and antiskid system to deliver maximum acceleration. After configuring the appropriate settings via the dashboard computer, keep the car at a standstill. Activate the Race Start feature, put your foot on the brake, pull the "up" shift paddle once, floor the throttle, then take your foot off the brake. Mercedes-Benz says you'll reach 60 mph in about 4.4 seconds.

An adaptive sport suspension with electronic damping and 18-inch performance tires keep the car on the road. An optional "AMG Performance Package" adds a limited-slip differential, a revised performance suspension, and 19-inch wheels. The package removes the car's speed governor, raising the top speed to 186 mph from 155 mph.

E63 cars also have unique exterior and interior styling touches. They have a specific air intake with side air vents designed to wick hot air away from the oil coolers. Inside, passengers are treated to heated leather upholstery. The Performance Package adds Alcantara suede steering-wheel trim.

While on our preview test drive of the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Convertible, we also had the opportunity to sample the 2010 E63 AMG. While not as in-depth as the convertible drive, we want to give you a few impressions.