Far faster, cleaner, dearer S63 E Hybrid has a V8 engine
So, you’re the hell-in about the Mercedes C63 AMG dumping its V8 for a four-cylinder hybrid, no matter how quick it is. Or how cool the electric bit is?
Well now you can have your cake and eat it. But you may have to save up a bit first. Enter the Mercedes-AMG S63 E Performance, reborn as a 528 kW 4-litre V8 petrol-electric plug-in hybrid.
Set for sale early in 2023, the newcomer happily retains a tweaked biturbo petrol V8. It also adopts a rear-axle-mounted asynchronous electric motor fed by a 13.1 kWh lithium-ion battery. Like the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance 4-Door Coupé.
S63 E is Most Powerful S-Class Ever
The petrol-electric drivetrain adds 157 kW over the outgoing S63 4Matic, while torque leaps 530 Newton metres to 1,430 Nm. Makes this so-called the S63 E Performance, the most powerful series-production S-Class model ever built. It even obliterates the 458 kW 1,000 Nm biturbo 6-litre biturbo petrol V12 S65.
It does not come cheap, however. Curb weight is up 500 kg. to a beefy 2520 kilos AMG describes this as ‘optimized weight distribution’. Still, AMG claims 0-100 km/h in 3.3 seconds and a governed 250 km/h top speed. Your AMG Driver’s Package will up that to 300 km/h.
Engine drive is via a nine-speed AMG Speedshift MCT automatic turning AMG Performance 4Matic+ all-wheel drive. The rear axle mounted electric motor turns a two-speed gearbox and brings torque-vectoring to the rear wheels.
S63 E Chassis Tweaks to Control 1,430 Nm!
Chassis tweaks include an aluminum stabilizer beneath the V8, and cross-brace between the front suspension tower above it, while a CRO battery box in the boot, stiffens the rear.
AMG Ride Control+ air spring and variable control damper suspension brings auto self-levelling and lowering to add aero efficiency beyond 120 km/h. Add AMG Active Ride Control stabilization with electromechanical anti-roll bars and up to 2.5 degrees rear steering.
S63 can drive 30 km on 185 HP and 236 lb.-ft electric power alone, while general driving fuel mileage more than doubles. The new S63’s 64.2 mpg WLTP average of beats the outgoing long-wheelbase car by 32.5 mpg, despite all that extra weight.
Opulent Luxury, Outrageous Performance
The driver can choose four stages of energy regeneration up to 90 kW. There are seven driving modes to choose from, from Electric, Comfort, Battery Hold and Sport to Sport+, or Slippery and Individual. Or just leave it in Auto.
Mercedes-AMG’s seventh-generation S-Class flaunts its opulent luxury and outrageous power and performance via styling changes from a new-look front bumper, an AMG Panamericana grille and AMG bonnet badge.
The rear gets traditional S63 touches including trapezoidal tailpipes. S63 gets 21-inch wheels. Step inside to a AMG Performance steering wheel, AMG dial graphics, upholstery and trim for the dashboard, among other AMG niceties.
Expect to Pay Much More for the New S63 E
Pricing is yet to be revealed but considering the GT 63 S E Performance’s R375K premium over a GT 63 S in Europe, expect the new S63 to also cost considerably more than the old S63 4Matic.