Parting ways with its rear-wheel drive configuration in favour of a new 4Matic all-wheel system, it looks like the Mercedes-AMG division is set to give customers another way of getting their AMG E 63s sideways.

According to a report by Drive, the next-gen E 63 will feature a new “drift mode.” Yes, you’ve heard that right. “It’s a newer all-wheel drive system with a drift mode. It will have a nine-speed automatic and driving dynamics on a not-expected level from us,” said Tobias Moers, chairman of Mercedes-AMG.

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The AMG division boss also confirmed that the E 63 would have the highest output from the 4.0 litre biturbo V8, surpassing the 510 hp and 700 Nm of torque the mill produces in the AMG C 63 S. The next-gen E 63 has been rumoured to offer up to 600 hp in its higher-tune “S” guise, while the regular version will deliver close to 550 hp.

“The E 63 is going to be the biggest step we’ve ever made from generation to generation E-Class – we’ve never made a bigger step before,” he exclaimed. Spied on several occasions before, the new E 63 is rumoured to make its world debut later this year, possibly at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

GALLERY: Mercedes-AMG E 63 spyshots

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