Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG (V8 Supercar)

V8 Supercars announced a new regulation set, titled Car of the Future, in 2010 as part of future-proofing discussions.{{cite news|title=The New Generation of V8 Supercars|url=http://www.v8supercar.com.au/technical/car-of-the-future|first=Aaron|last=Noonan|work=V8Supercars.com.au|publisher=V8 Supercars Australia|access-date=19 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130121181354/http://www.v8supercar.com.au/technical/car-of-the-future|archive-date=21 January 2013|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} Intended to halve costs through control parts, the series mandated a standardised chassis and roll cage combination designed to attract new manufacturers to compete alongside the existing Holden and Ford products, whilst maintaining the popular 5.0L V8 engines – the base platforms would then be homologated to achieve technical parity, and teams allowed to develop certain components on top of that.{{cite news|title=Car of the Future released|url=http://www.v8supercars.com.au/car-of-the-future-released/tabid/70/newsid/9848/default.aspx|first=Briar|last=Gunther|work=V8Supercars.com.au|publisher=BigPond Sport|date=29 March 2010|access-date=19 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100401101159/http://www.v8supercars.com.au/car-of-the-future-released/tabid/70/newsid/9848/default.aspx|archive-date=1 April 2010|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} The regulation set came into effect in 2013, initially planned to be 2012.{{cite news|title=Nissan and Mercedes teams to debut with power deficit|url=http://www.speedcafe.com/2013/02/22/nissan-mercedes-teams-to-debut-with-power-deficit/|first=Stefan|last=Bartholomaeus|work=SpeedCafe.com|date=22 February 2013|access-date=1 March 2013}}

After Nissan's announcement that they would enter the 2013 championship in February 2012, Mercedes-Benz Australia were initially dismissive of following suit – claiming that the category was "not a fit with the Australian and New Zealand brand positioning (of Mercedes-Benz)."{{cite news|title=Nissan confirms Kelly Racing V8 Supercars entry|url=http://www.speedcafe.com/nissan-confirms-kelly-racing-v8-supercars-entry/|work=Speedcafe.com|date=9 February 2012|access-date=2 April 2012}}{{cite news|url=https://www.drive.com.au/news/mercedes-shuns-v8-supercars-20120808-23tlh/|title=Mercedes shuns V8 Supercars|publisher=Drive.com.au|date=8 August 2012}} However, on 19 September 2012, V8 Supercars announced that the existing Stone Brothers Racing team would merge with Australian GT team Erebus Motorsport and field three Mercedes-badged cars through AMG's Customer Sports Program over the 2013 and 2014 seasons.{{cite web|url=http://www.v8supercars.com.au/championship/newsarticle/erebus-motorsport-on-the-v8-supercar-grid-in-2013/tabid/70/newsid/12935/default.aspx |title=Erebus Motorsport on the V8 Supercar grid in 2013 |publisher=V8 Supercars |date=19 September 2012 |access-date=19 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927222317/http://www.v8supercars.com.au/championship/newsarticle/erebus-motorsport-on-the-v8-supercar-grid-in-2013/tabid/70/newsid/12935/default.aspx |archive-date=27 September 2012}}{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/motorsport/mercedes-adds-star-power-to-v8-supercars-20120919-265v8.html|title=Mercedes adds star power to V8 Supercars|publisher=Sydney Morning Herald|date=19 September 2012}} The deal saw no factory involvement from Mercedes-Benz Australia, with the program being entirely funded by Erebus' billionaire owner Betty Klimenko and existing team sponsors – Mercedes would provide existing hardware which was to then be privately developed and homologated in Australia, and the cars were allowed to feature Mercedes badging but no additional signage (to the point where television broadcasts used the Erebus logo instead of the Mercedes one).{{cite news|title=Mercedes: Initial Erebus proposal was 'misunderstood'|url=http://www.speedcafe.com/mercedes-initial-erebus-proposal-was-misunderstood/|first=Stefan|last=Bartholomaeus|work=Speedcafe.com|date=19 September 2012|access-date=19 September 2012}}{{cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lq4QwRdjhEI&t=60s|title=Race 1 - Adelaide 500 [Full Race - SuperArchive]|publisher=Supercars Championship on YouTube|date=10 February 2021}} Erebus completed a takeover of SBR in January 2013, however Ross Stone remained with the team as general manager.{{cite news|title=Erebus Motorsport completes SBR take over|url=http://www.speedcafe.com/erebus-motorsport-completes-sbr-take-over/|first=Grant|last=Rowley|work=Speedcafe.com|date=8 January 2013|access-date=8 January 2013}}

The Mercedes M159 engine, originally used in the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 car, was adopted to the E63 AMG. Originally 6.2L, it was destroked to the category-mandated 5.0L, and – uniquely for V8 Supercars of the period – was initially developed with a flat-plane crank, fly-by-wire throttle, dual butterfly valve intakes and electric power steering.{{cite news|url=https://www.carthrottle.com/post/alm4z2p|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130053057/https://www.carthrottle.com/post/alm4z2p|title=Don't Call it a Mercedes - 2013 Erebus E63 AMG|publisher=Car Throttle|date=16 June 2017|archive-date=30 November 2024}}{{cite news|url=https://www.carsales.com.au/editorial/details/motorsport-mercedes-benz-v8supercar-revealed-35081/|title=Mercedes-Benz V8Supercar revealed|publisher=Carsales.com.au|date=15 February 2013}}

Erebus officially launched the E63 AMG V8 Supercar, as well as their drivers and liveries, at Allphones Arena on 15 February 2013.{{cite news|url=https://au.motorsport.com/v8supercars/news/erebus-motorsport-launches-the-mercedes-e63-amg-v8-supercar/2662310/|title=Erebus Motorsport launches the Mercedes E63 AMG V8 Supercar|publisher=Motorsport.com|date=15 February 2013}} Lee Holdsworth and Tim Slade in the satellite James Rosenberg Racing car were retained, whilst Mercedes factory driver Maro Engel replaced Shane van Gisbergen; the New Zealander had 'retired' at the end of the previous season and controversially defected to Tekno Autosports, resulting in a legal battle.{{cite web |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/105460 |title=Maro Engel to race Erebus Mercedes V8 Supercar |date=6 February 2013 |work=Autosport|author=Jamie O'Leary|access-date=6 February 2013}}{{cite news|url=https://www.touringcartimes.com/2013/03/01/van-gisbergen-breaks-silence-on-team-switch/|title=Van Gisbergen breaks silence on team switch|publisher=Touring Car Times|date=1 March 2013}}{{cite news|url=https://speedcafe.com/settlement-ends-van-gisbergen-court-case/|title=Settlement ends Van Gisbergen court case|publisher=Speedcafe|date=30 June 2014}}

File:20130517-IMG 2078 (8748732697).jpg competing in the 2013 Austin 400.]]

The E63 AMG's tenure began in shaky fashion after Holdsworth suffered a brake failure in the cars' shakedown at Queensland Raceway.{{cite news|url=https://speedcafe.com/erebus-planning-for-six-mercedes-v8-supercars/|title=Erebus planning for six Mercedes V8 Supercars|publisher=Speedcafe|date=21 March 2013}} Across the pre-season test and the first round in Adelaide, the Mercedes suffered a variety of reliability and ergonomical issues – Holdsworth notably burnt his feet on the pedal box in Adelaide due to excessive heat from the engine bay.{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-03-02/lowndes-wins-adelaide-season-opener/4549576|title=Lowndes wins Adelaide season opener|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=2 March 2013}}{{cite news|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsport/supercars/a-tense-moment-for-clipsal-500-winner-shane-van-gisbergen-doing-a-tv-interview-in-the-erebus-garage/news-story/5de3cea758844aab526664d72892423a|title=A tense moment for Clipsal 500 winner Shane van Gisbergen, doing a TV interview in the Erebus garage|work=Fox Sports|date=4 March 2013}}{{cite news|url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/motorsport/after-a-tough-debut-in-a-mercedes-benz-lee-holdsworth-sizes-up-the-challenge-of-symmons-plains/news-story/7f7504b815d4a9377f5d5db8fed88bf1|title=After a tough debut in a Mercedes-Benz, Lee Holdsworth sizes up the challenge of Symmons Plains|publisher=News.com.au|date=6 April 2013}} The team were granted permission to further test Engel's car at Calder Park Raceway with Craig Baird behind the wheel to troubleshoot electronic issues, before Slade endured two failures related to the engine and driveline at the non-championship Australian Grand Prix event. After a best finish of 13th was achieved across the three cars in all three races at Symmons Plains, Erebus ditched the drive-by-wire and dual throttle butterfly systems for more traditional cable actuation following consultation with AMG and HWA – at Pukekohe, the event after the change was made, all three cars finished all four races albeit no higher than 16th.{{cite news|url=https://www.supercars.com/news/erebus-v8s-trade-wire-for-cable|title=Erebus V8s Trade Wire for Cable|publisher=V8 Supercars|date=11 April 2013}}{{cite news|url=https://www.speedhunters.com/2013/04/v8-supercars-thunder-in-the-park/|title=V8 Supercars: Thunder In The Park|publisher=Speedhunters|date=16 April 2013}}

Following a rookie test for Engel at Morgan Park Raceway and a development trip for Erebus management to Germany, Engel rewarded the teams' efforts with 9th in qualifying for the first race in Perth.{{cite news|url=https://www.supercars.com/news/erebus-pleased-with-progress|title=Erebus Pleased With Progress|publisher=V8 Supercars|date=30 April 2013}}{{cite news|url=http://www.speedcafe.com/whincup-scores-pole-in-dramatic-race-10-qualifying/|title=Whincup scores pole in dramatic Race 10 qualifying|work=SpeedCafe|date=4 May 2013|access-date=18 May 2013}} The team spent most of the flyaway round at the Circuit of the Americas outside the top 20, but bounced back after further developmental testing to score two top-ten finishes in Darwin.{{cite news|url=https://www.supercars.com/news/darwin-verdict-on-370-lap-erebus-test|title=Darwin Verdict on 370-lap Erebus Test|publisher=V8 Supercars|date=6 June 2013}}{{cite news|url=https://speedcafe.com/whincup-pounces-to-win-race-17-in-the-top-end/|title=Whincup pounces to win Race 17 in the Top End|publisher=Speedcafe|date=15 June 2013}} Holdsworth then went on a streak of five-straight DNFs across the Darwin, Townsville and Ipswich events due to a variety of crashes and mechanical issues, however Slade managed two eighth-place finishes in the same period and had run as high as second in the final race at Queensland Raceway.{{cite news|url=https://www.supercars.com/news/holdsworth-we-have-to-be-patient|title=Holdsworth: We Have to be Patient|publisher=V8 Supercars|date=15 July 2013}}{{cite news|url=https://www.supercars.com/news/holdsworth-hopes-hard-times-are-behind-him|title=Holdsworth Hopes Hard Times are Behind Him|publisher=V8 Supercars|date=9 September 2013}}{{cite news|url=https://www.touringcartimes.com/2013/07/28/chaz-mostert-wins-for-djr-in-ipswich-finale/|title=Chaz Mostert wins for DJR in Ipswich finale|publisher=Touring Car Times|date=28 July 2013}} In a bid to improve parity between the models, V8 Supercars allowed Engel's car and two of the new Nissan Altimas to trial a 70% ethanol blend of fuel at Winton (as opposed to the usual 85%); however, this was reverted after the two Nissans finished 1–2 in the first race of the weekend, despite inconclusive evidence that the alternate blend provided a performance advantage.{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/motorsport/nissans-winton-result-adds-ire-to-the-parity-fuel-debate-20130831-2sxfq.html|title=Nissan's Winton result adds ire to the parity fuel debate|publisher=Sydney Morning Herald|date=1 September 2013}}{{cite news|url=https://www.touringcartimes.com/2013/09/04/v8-fuel-parity-situation-still-unresolved/|title=V8 Supercars fuel parity situation still unresolved|publisher=Touring Car Times|date=4 September 2013}}

Baird, Steven Johnson and Andrew Thompson joined Holdsworth, Engel and Slade for the endurance races.{{cite news|url=https://speedcafe.com/thompson-confirmed-with-slade-in-erebus-mercedes/|title=Thompson confirmed with Slade in Erebus Mercedes|publisher=Speedcafe|date=2 July 2013}} Prior to the Sandown 500, Tobias Mörs – head of vehicle development at Mercedes-AMG – stated that the brand were "unhappy" with the progress of the car, and that the team had to win races for their contract to be renewed at the end of 2014; but conceded that Mercedes had "underestimated everything in the series".{{cite news|url=https://www.drive.com.au/news/mercedes-benz-unhappy-concerned-v8-supercars-results/|title=Mercedes-Benz unhappy, concerned with V8 Supercars team|publisher=Drive.com.au|date=13 September 2013}}{{cite news|url=https://speedcafe.com/amg-unhappy-v8-supercar-program/|title=AMG 'unhappy' with V8 Supercar program|publisher=Speedcafe|date=13 September 2013}} On the same day, it was confirmed that Slade would be leaving the team at the conclusion of the season.{{cite news|url=https://www.motorsport.com/v8supercars/news/erebus-motorsport-tim-slade-part-ways-end-of-season/440120/|title=Erebus Motorsport, Tim Slade part ways end of season|publisher=Motorsport.com|date=13 September 2013}} Holdsworth and Baird responded to the criticism with a fourth-place finish, the best for the car to that point, trailing an ailing Will Davison in the final stint.{{cite news|url=https://speedcafe.com/whincupdumbrell-lead-red-bull-one-two-sandown/|title=Whincup/Dumbrell lead Red Bull one-two at Sandown|publisher=Speedcafe|date=15 September 2013}}{{cite news|url=https://au.motorsport.com/v8supercars/news/erebus-motorsport-v8-secures-best-result-at-sandown-500/2702965/|title=Erebus Motorsport V8 secures best result at Sandown 500|publisher=Motorsport.com|date=16 September 2013}} Mercedes' first Bathurst 1000 since 1994 started badly when both Slade and Thompson crashed their E63 AMG in Thursday practice; Holdsworth and Baird finished the race 14th, Engel and Johnson a lap down in 20th, and Slade and Thompson 24 laps down having coaxed their damaged car through the race.{{cite news|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/mercedes-sees-red-at-bathurst-practice/qlqzmx7z6|title=Mercedes sees red at Bathurst practice|publisher=Special Broadcasting Service|date=10 October 2013}}{{cite news|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsport/cars-not-to-blame-for-tough-day/news-story/0b1be8b411a5e426e8a0166bcd553645|title=Cars not to blame for tough day at Bathurst|work=Fox Sports|date=11 October 2013}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/oct/11/maro-engel-bathhurst-1000|title=Maro Engel on racing his first Bathurst 1000|work=The Guardian|date=11 October 2013}} David Brabham replaced Thompson for the final enduro races on the Gold Coast, and was forced to do his driver change in Race 31 through the passenger door after being t-boned by Marc Lieb at the start – Holdsworth and Baird continued the strong form from Sandown, scoring a top-five in Race 31 to end the Enduro Cup standings in 5th behind the Triple 8 and FPR cars.{{cite news|url=https://speedcafe.com/david-brabham-secures-surprise-gold-coast-v8-start/|title=David Brabham secures surprise Gold Coast V8 start|publisher=Speedcafe|date=21 October 2013}}{{cite news|url=https://www.touringcartimes.com/2013/10/27/lowndes-and-luff-takes-inaugural-pirtek-enduro-cup-title/|title=Lowndes and Luff take inaugural Pirtek Enduro Cup title|publisher=Touring Car Times|date=27 October 2013}}

The team endured a minor slump in the final two events of the season, with Slade finishing a best of 8th and 11th in the final round at Sydney Olympic Park.{{cite news | url=http://www.speedcafe.com/lowndes-defeats-whincup-race-33/ | title=Lowndes defeats Whincup in Race 33 | work=SpeedCafe | last=Bartholomaeus | first=Stefan | date=24 November 2013}}{{cite news|url=https://www.motorsport.com/v8supercars/news/erebus-to-run-special-livery-in-support-of-nsw-rfs-at-sydney-500/443855/|title=Erebus to run special livery in support of NSW RFS at Sydney 500|publisher=Motorsport.com|date=5 December 2013}} Holdsworth and Slade finished 20th and 22nd respectively in the drivers' championship, with Engel 28th and last of the full-time competitors – the German was dropped at seasons' end due to budgetary reasons, despite still having a year left on his contract.{{cite news|url=https://speedcafe.com/engel-future-limbo-following-v8-exit/|title=Engel future in limbo following V8 exit|publisher=Speedcafe|date=17 December 2013}} The two Erebus-entered cars finished 11th in the teams championship, the last of the two-car teams, whilst the James Rosenberg Racing-licensed Slade car was 17th and last of the full-time entries.

Ahead of the 2014 season, the Rosenberg licence shifted to the Walkinshaw Racing stable, reducing the team to two cars.{{cite news|url=https://speedcafe.com/walkinshaw-racing-confirms-expansion-four-cars/|title=Walkinshaw confirms expansion to four cars|publisher=Speedcafe|date=29 November 2013}} Following the departure of Engel, Will Davison was signed from Ford Performance Racing to join Lee Holdsworth.{{cite news|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsport/supercars/will-davison-joins-erebus-motorsport-for-2014-v8-supercars-season/news-story/0b27eb3d3285af7d66b38369492cf3d3|title=Will Davison joins Erebus Motorsport for 2014 V8 Supercars season|work=Fox Sports|date=6 January 2014}} The livery was launched on the eve of the pre-season test on 14 February; having lost primary sponsors Irwin Tools and SP Tools, both cars adopted black bases with blue highlights and a rolling sponsorship model.{{cite news|url=https://www.touringcartimes.com/2014/02/14/erebus-motorsport-unveils-2014-mercedes-e63-amg/|title=Erebus Motorsport unveils 2014 Mercedes E63 AMG|publisher=Touring Car Times|date=14 February 2014}}

File:Lee Holdsworth in Erebus Motorsport car 4, departing pitlane during the V8 Supercars Test Day.jpg at the 2014 V8 Supercars pre-season test.]]

Both cars were involved in incidents in the Adelaide season-opener, as Holdsworth collided with James Courtney in Race 2 and Davison crashed heavily at Turn 8 in Race 3.{{cite news | url=http://www.speedcafe.com/volvo-scores-thrilling-podium-lowndes-wins/ | title=Volvo scores thrilling podium as Lowndes wins | work=Speedcafe | last=Bartholomaeus | first=Stefan | date=1 March 2014}}{{cite news | url=http://www.speedcafe.com/courtney-wins-dramatic-clipsal-500-finale// | title=Courtney wins dramatic Clipsal 500 finale | work=Speedcafe | last=Bartholomaeus | first=Stefan | date=2 March 2014}} Davison then scored an equal-best fourth-place finish for the car in the third race in Tasmania.{{cite news | url=http://www.speedcafe.com/lowndes-turns-tables-symmons-finale/ | title=Lowndes turns tables in Symmons finale | work=Speedcafe | last=Bartholomaeus | first=Stefan | date=30 March 2014}} In the third round at Winton, Holdsworth overtook Fabian Coulthard late in the second race to take Erebus' and Mercedes' first race win in the ATCC/V8 Supercars.{{cite news|url=https://www.autosport.com/supercars/news/winton-v8-supercars-lee-holdsworth-ends-victory-drought-4472479/4472479/|title=Lee Holdsworth ends victory drought|publisher=Autosport|date=5 April 2014}}{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/motorsport/lee-holdsworth-gives-mercedesbenz-first-v8-supercars-victory-20140405-zqr9t.html|title=Lee Holdsworth gives Mercedes-Benz first V8 Supercars victory|publisher=Sydney Morning Herald|date=5 April 2014}}{{cite news|url=https://www.motorsport.com/v8supercars/news/holdsworth-puts-aside-shocking-home-invasion-for-second-at-winton/448524/|title=Holdsworth puts aside shocking home invasion for second at Winton|publisher=Motorsport.com|date=4 April 2014}} Inconsistent outings followed in Auckland and Perth, before a failed sponsorship deal with Dogecoin led to AMG Customer Sports branding appearing on the cars in Darwin and Townsville – support from Affalterbach that was vindicated after Davison scored his first podium for the team in Race 20.{{cite news|url=https://www.v8sleuth.com.au/strange-but-true-the-dogecoin-erebus-mercedes-plan/|title=Strange But True: The Dogecoin Erebus Mercedes plan|publisher=V8 Sleuth|date=3 June 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.thesupercarscollective.com/latest-news/erebus-run-amg-branding-darwin/|title=Erebus to run AMG branding in Darwin|publisher=The Supercars Collective|date=19 June 2014}}{{cite news|url=https://www.supercars.com/news/from-podium-to-test-day|title=From podium to test day|publisher=V8 Supercars|date=22 July 2014}} During the mid-portion of the season, Erebus and AMG expressed that "extremely positive" discussions were taking place about extending customer support into 2015, amid speculation that the team were evaluating a switch to Volvo.{{cite news|url=https://speedcafe.com/erebus-awaits-fresh-agreement-amg-meetings/|title=Erebus awaits fresh agreement after AMG meetings|publisher=Speedcafe|date=2 August 2014}}{{cite news|url=https://www.drive.com.au/news/mercedes-benz-amg-boss-backflips-on-erebus-v8-supercars-team/|title=Mercedes-Benz AMG boss backflips on Erebus V8 Supercars team|publisher=Drive.com.au|date=12 September 2014}}{{cite news|url=https://www.carsales.com.au/editorial/details/motorsport-benz-boss-says-erebus-talks-positive-46281/|title=Benz boss says Erebus talks "positive"|publisher=Carsales.com.au|date=24 September 2014}}

Erebus entered the endurance races with an unchanged line-up in Car #4, whilst Davison was joined by his brother Alex – Car #9 came into the Sandown 500 with an upgraded engine and support from appliance manufacturer Beko for the remainder of the season.{{cite news|url=https://speedcafe.com/davisons-debut-upgraded-erebus-engine/|title=Davisons to debut upgraded Erebus engine|publisher=Speedcafe|date=10 September 2014}} The team suffered a torrid weekend at Sandown, with Holdsworth walking away from a high-speed crash at the end of the back straight caused by a mechanical failure, whilst the Davison brothers finished down 21st.{{cite news | url=http://www.speedcafe.com/holdsworth-life-flashed-eyes/ | title=Holdsworth: My life flashed before my eyes | work=Speedcafe | last=Bartholomaeus | first=Stefan | date=14 September 2014}}{{cite news|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsport/supercars/unique-carbon-fibre-safety-cell-saved-erebus-motorsports-driver-lee-holdsworth-in-horror-crash/news-story/12b0ef838b578674d39b7b78bfb68a9e|title=Unique carbon fibre safety cell saved Erebus Motorsports driver Lee Holdsworth in horror crash|work=Fox Sports|date=16 September 2014}} Holdsworth's car was rebuilt for the Bathurst 1000, but he was involved in another major incident when he was flipped over by the outside tyre wall at Griffins Bend after Russell Ingall crashed into him; the Davison brothers meanwhile finished 4th in a race of fuel strategy caused by Holdsworth's incident.{{cite news|url=https://speedcafe.com/erebus-resurrects-crashed-holdsworth-chassis/|title=Erebus resurrects crashed Holdsworth chassis|publisher=Speedcafe|date=20 September 2014}}{{cite news|url=https://www.supercars.com/news/holdsworth-i-m-just-shattered|title=Holdsworth: "I'm just shattered"|publisher=V8 Supercars|date=16 October 2014}}{{cite news|url=https://www.autosport.com/supercars/news/bathurst-1000-chaz-mostert-paul-morris-win-from-last-for-ford-5046355/5046355/|title=Chaz Mostert/Paul Morris win from last for Ford|publisher=Autosport|date=12 October 2014}} Erebus then had to resurrect a Stone Brothers-built CotF chassis for Holdsworth to race at the Gold Coast, where the two cars could only muster a best result of 11th across the two races.{{cite news|url=https://speedcafe.com/erebus-rebirths-ex-ford-chassis-gold-coast/|title=Erebus rebirths ex-Ford chassis for Gold Coast|publisher=Speedcafe|date=17 October 2014}} Davison capped off the season with the teams' first pole position at Sydney Olympic Park and a further two top-ten finishes to finish 14th in the standings, whilst Holdsworth ended his tenure with the team 20th having announced his departure prior to the Phillip Island round – Erebus ended the season 7th in the teams' standings, 53pts ahead of the Kelly brothers' Nissans.{{cite news | url=http://www.speedcafe.com/surprise-pole-sitters-stars-crash-qualifying/ | title=Surprise pole sitters as stars crash in qualifying | work=Speedcafe | date=6 December 2014}}{{cite news|url=https://www.touringcartimes.com/2014/11/13/lee-holdsworth-leaves-erebus-motorsport/|title=Lee Holdsworth leaves Erebus Motorsport|publisher=Touring Car Times|date=13 November 2014}}

Despite not having confirmed an extension of customer support with AMG, Erebus continued using the E63 AMG into 2015.{{cite news|url=https://www.autoracing1.com/pl/196047/v8-supercars-approves-2015-models/|title=V8 Supercars approves 2015 models|publisher=AutoRacing1.com|date=29 January 2015}} Ashley Walsh, who finished third in the 2014 Dunlop Series, made his main-game debut alongside Davison, whilst Ross Stone left his position as general manager and Campbell Little was brought in as an advisor.{{cite news | url=http://www.speedcafe.com/erebus-confirms-walsh-second-mercedes/ | title=Erebus confirms Walsh for second Mercedes | work=Speedcafe | date=28 November 2014}}{{cite news|url=https://speedcafe.com/little-observing-erebus-operations-at-winton/|title=Little observing Erebus operations at Winton|publisher=Speedcafe|date=15 May 2015}} The team revealed a majority silver livery with a blue rear-end for both cars ahead of the pre-season test in Sydney, which was later changed to replace the blue with a slightly altered black design – Davison began the season with backing from Solar Australia.{{cite news|url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/motorsport/v8-supercars/erebus-motorsport-land-v8-supercars-major-title-sponsorship-for-2015-championship-season/news-story/99cc3384faacf8f7be67e9b7b4f0fd79|title=Erebus Motorsport land V8 Supercars major title sponsorship for 2015 championship season|publisher=News.com.au|date=6 February 2015}}{{cite news|url=https://www.supercars.com/news/erebus-reveals-revised-liveries|title=Erebus reveals revised liveries|publisher=V8 Supercars|date=25 February 2015}} The season started badly in Adelaide, as Davison's car shut down during Race 1 and Walsh crashed into Andre Heimgartner a few seconds later; Davison did not start Race 2 with a clutch failure, whilst Walsh also retired from Race 3 with electrical problems.{{cite news|first=Stefan|last=Bartholomaeus|url=http://www.speedcafe.com/coulthard-wins-chaotic-second-race-in-adelaide/ | title=Coulthard wins chaotic second race in Adelaide | work=Speedcafe | date=28 February 2015}}{{cite news|first=Stefan|last=Bartholomaeus|url=http://www.speedcafe.com/courtney-holds-on-for-clipsal-500-victory/ | title=Courtney holds on for Clipsal 500 victory | work=Speedcafe | date=1 March 2015}}

File:Will Davison Sydney 2015.JPG competing in the 2015 Sydney SuperSprint.]]

On 9 March – a week after the Adelaide 500 – Erebus and AMG confirmed that they were not renewing their customer contract, however Erebus planned to keep using the E63 AMG until the end of 2016 using privately developed parts.{{cite news|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/motor-sport/erebus-motorsport-v8-supercars-team-ends-ties-with-mercedesbenz-and-amg/news-story/c6f57a11e2123b3912e6c742088a7b4e|title=Erebus Motorsport V8 Supercars team ends ties with Mercedes-Benz and AMG|publisher=Herald Sun|date=9 March 2015}}{{cite news|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsport/erebus-motorsport-v8-supercars-team-ends-ties-with-mercedesbenz-and-amg/news-story/c6f57a11e2123b3912e6c742088a7b4e|title=Erebus Motorsport V8 Supercars team ends ties with Mercedes-Benz and AMG|work=Fox Sports|date=9 March 2015}}{{cite news|url=https://www.carsales.com.au/editorial/details/no-deal-for-amg-and-erebus-49745/|title=No deal for AMG and Erebus|publisher=Carsales.com.au|date=9 March 2015}} Davison was turned around by James Courtney in a nose-to-tail collision at the start of the first race in Launceston, leading to a post-race confrontation in which Davison called Courtney "arrogant" and "pathetic".{{cite news | url=http://www.speedcafe.com/davison-unleashes-at-arrogant-pathetic-courtney/| title=Davison slams 'arrogant, pathetic' Courtney | work=Speedcafe | last=Bartholomaeus | first=Stefan | date=28 March 2015}}{{cite news | url=http://www.speedcafe.com/stewards-hearing-sees-erebus-protest-dismissed/ | title=Stewards hearing sees Erebus protest dismissed | work=Speedcafe | last=Bartholomaeus | first=Stefan | date=29 March 2015}} Davison then bounced back to take a surprise race win through tyre strategy in Perth, denying Craig Lowndes of his 100th ATCC/V8 Supercars race win.{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-03/davison-denies-lowndes-landmark-win-at-perth-v8s/6441394|title=Mercedes driver Will Davison wins in Perth earning his first V8 Supercars victory since 2013, ruins Craig Lowndes' chance of a 100th V8s win|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=3 May 2015}}{{cite news|url=https://www.crash.net/v8/race-report/218338/1/davison-denies-lowndes-the-tonne-at-perth|title=Davison denies Lowndes the tonne at Perth|publisher=Crash.net|date=3 May 2015}}{{cite news|url=https://www.touringcartimes.com/2015/05/03/will-davison-takes-emotional-victory-for-erebus-motorsport/|title=Will Davison takes emotional victory for Erebus Motorsport|publisher=Touring Car Times|date=3 May 2015}}{{cite news|url=https://www.v8sleuth.com.au/loki-returns-back-story-of-erebus-resurrected-merc/|title=LOKI RETURNS: BACK STORY OF EREBUS' RESURRECTED MERC|publisher=V8 Sleuth|date=4 December 2018}} The E63 then only managed four top-ten finishes across the next 14 races, Davison scoring two seventh-places at Queensland Raceway. In a July 2015 interview, Klimenko claimed that HWA had "loved the idea" of racing in V8 Supercars, but that "the Germans didn’t understand V8 racing" and that personnel changes in Germany "made me bring the whole thing back to Australia."{{cite news|url=https://speedcafe.com/qa-betty-klimenko-on-erebus-evolution/|title=Q&A: Betty Klimenko on the evolution of Erebus|publisher=Speedcafe|date=3 July 2015}}

Entering the Enduro Cup, the team kept the Davison brothers in one car whilst promoting Erebus junior Jack Le Brocq to partner Walsh.{{cite news|url=https://www.supercars.com/news/le-brocq-partners-walsh-for-enduros|title=Le Brocq partners Walsh for enduros|publisher=V8 Supercars|date=23 April 2015}} Erebus emblazoned their cars with anti-domestic violence messages for Sandown following a spate of incidents in Australia during the preceding week, however Walsh and Le Brocq only managed 19th whilst the Davison brothers finished 7 laps down with a starter motor problem.{{cite news|url=https://speedcafe.com/erebus-v8-supercars-to-carry-anti-violence-message/|title=Erebus V8s to carry anti-violence message|publisher=Speedcafe|date=11 September 2015}}{{cite news|url=https://x.com/ErebusMSport/status/642197231244849152?mx=2|title=#StopTheViolence #V8SC|publisher=Erebus Motorsport on Twitter|date=11 September 2015}}{{cite news | url=http://www.speedcafe.com/prodrive-scores-one-two-in-sandown-500/ | title=Prodrive scores one-two in Sandown 500 | work=Speedcafe | last=Bartholomaeus | first=Stefan | date=13 September 2015}} Prior to Bathurst, both cars gained primary sponsorship for the remainder of the season – Penrite for Car #9 and Wendy's for Car #4, although Penrite covered both cars in New Zealand.{{cite news|url=https://penriteoil.com.au/community/posts/penrite-to-race-on-with-erebus-for-remainder-of-2015|title=Penrite to race on with Erebus for remainder of 2015|publisher=Penrite|date=19 October 2015}}{{cite news|url=https://www.touringcartimes.com/2015/10/05/erebus-motorsport-to-run-new-livery-at-bathurst-for-ash-walsh/|title=Erebus Motorsport to run new livery at Bathurst for Ash Walsh|publisher=Touring Car Times|date=5 October 2015}} The Davison brothers ultimately finished the 1000 in 12th after a mid-race strategy gamble failed, whilst Walsh crashed at the Cutting late in the race.{{cite news|url=https://speedcafe.com/lowndes-scores-sixth-bathurst-1000-victory/|title=Lowndes scores sixth Bathurst 1000 victory|publisher=Speedcafe|date=11 October 2015}} The team then struggled its' way to the end of the season, with Davison scoring a best finish of 11th at Sydney Olympic Park – Walsh meanwhile was dropped by Erebus after Pukekohe in favour of experienced drivers to help the development of the E63 AMG; originally Dean Canto for Phillip Island, then Alex Davison for Sydney Olympic Park.{{cite news|url=https://au.motorsport.com/v8supercars/news/canto-to-replace-walsh-at-phillip-island/2960689/|title=Canto to replace Walsh at Phillip Island|publisher=Motorsport.com|date=18 November 2015}}{{cite news|url=https://speedcafe.com/alex-davison-returns-to-erebus-for-sydney/|title=Alex Davison returns to Erebus for Sydney|publisher=Speedcafe|date=30 November 2015}}{{cite news|url=https://www.supercars.com/news/alex-davison-steps-in|title=Alex Davison steps in|publisher=V8 Supercars|date=30 November 2015}}

Due to the cost of development and lack of progress, Erebus abandoned the E63 AMGs at the end of the 2015 season and replaced them with Walkinshaw Racing-built Holden Commodore VFs for 2016.{{cite news|url=https://au.motorsport.com/v8supercars/news/erebus-makes-holden-switch-for-2016-667473/2965231/|title=Erebus makes Holden switch for 2016|publisher=Motorsport.com|date=13 January 2016}}{{cite news|url=https://speedcafe.com/erebus-formally-ditches-mercedes-for-holdens/|title=Erebus formally ditches Mercedes for Holdens|publisher=Speedcafe|date=13 January 2016}} The switch coincided with the team moving its' V8 Supercar program out of the former Stone Brothers factory in Yatala, Queensland and into their GT base in Melbourne.{{cite news|url=https://www.supercars.com/news/erebus-releases-statement-on-2016|title=Erebus moves to Melbourne|publisher=V8 Supercars|date=11 December 2015}} The Davison brothers left the team, and were replaced with David Reynolds and Aaren Russell.{{cite news|url=https://www.motorsport.com/v8supercars/news/interview-will-davison-opens-up-on-erebus-exit-667936/667936/|title=Interview: Will Davison opens up on Erebus exit|publisher=Motorsport.com|date=18 January 2016}}{{cite news|url=https://speedcafe.com/erebus-motorsport-confirms-reynolds-for-2016/|title=Erebus Motorsport confirms Reynolds for 2016|publisher=Speedcafe|date=4 November 2015}}{{cite news|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsport/supercars/v8-supercars-erebus-motorsport-signs-rookie-aaren-russell-to-race-for-the-team-in-2016/news-story/e1a7699de4664b28ce912bff239d08a7|title=Erebus Motorsport signs rookie Aaren Russell to race for the team in 2016|work=Fox Sports|date=12 January 2016}}

Four chassis carried the Mercedes body panels and engines; one built by Stone Brothers before the Erebus merger took place, and three by Erebus themselves. Two cars remain in Erebus' workshop with panels minus engines, one was retained as a ride car before being sold in 2022, and the other also became a ride car but converted to Holden Commodore ZB panels whilst retaining the Mercedes M159 engine.{{cite news|url=https://www.v8sleuth.com.au/what-happened-to-the-erebus-mercedes-benz-v8-supercars/|title=WHAT HAPPENED TO THE EREBUS MERCEDES-BENZ V8 SUPERCARS?|publisher=V8 Sleuth|date=5 May 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://www.supercars.com/news/erebus-confirms-plans-to-sell-rare-mercedes-supercar|title=Erebus confirms plans to sell rare Mercedes Supercar|publisher=Supercars Championship|date=25 October 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.v8sleuth.com.au/erebus-builds-new-old-supercar-ride-car/|title=EREBUS BUILDS NEW-OLD SUPERCAR RIDE CAR|publisher=V8 Sleuth|date=27 April 2020}} Will Davison described the E63 AMG as "a good racecar" that "always needed a better set-up window" and "needed a bit more performance lower in the rev range".

A book on the Erebus team released in 2024 claimed that Mercedes-Benz Asia-Pacific managing director Horst von Sanden sent a scathing document to Mercedes' head office in Germany prior to its' rejection of the project in August 2012; Von Sanden allegedly labelled V8 Supercars as a "car-burning, yobbo sport" and that "Mercedes-Benz racing in V8s [w]as a no-win situation".{{cite news|url=https://www.v8sleuth.com.au/the-inside-story-of-the-mercedes-e63-supercar/|title=The inside story of the Mercedes E63 Supercar|publisher=V8 Sleuth|date=30 April 2024}} In 2021, Lee Holdsworth confirmed that Erebus had been in line to switch from Mercedes to Volvo for the 2015 season before the deal collapsed at Bathurst, which directly led to him leaving the team.{{cite news|url=https://www.v8sleuth.com.au/erebus-lost-volvo-deal-led-to-holdsworths-exit/|title=EREBUS' LOST VOLVO DEAL LED TO HOLDSWORTH'S EXIT|publisher=V8 Sleuth|date=27 January 2021}}

• ‡ – Includes points scored with other teams/cars.

• ‡ – Includes points scored with other cars.

The Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG V8 Supercar appeared as a playable vehicle in Forza Motorsport 6 alongside other V8 Supercar models from the 2015 season.{{cite news|url=https://www.supercars.com/news/forza-motorsport-6-partnership|title=Forza Motorsport 6 Partnership|publisher=V8 Supercars|date=24 August 2015}}

• Volvo S60 (V8 Supercar)

{{reflist}}

{{commons category|Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG in V8 Supercar}}

E63 AMG V8 Supercar

Category:Touring cars

Category:Cars introduced in 2013

Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles