Mercedes’ Flagship S-Class Sedan Gets The Plug-in Hybrid AMG Treatment

• Mercedes-AMG S 63 E Performance is the most powerful S-Class to date.

• Design revisions include a new grille, tailpipes, and diffuser.

• Puissance comes from a twin-turbo, 4-litre V8 combined with an electric motor.

• Output of the setup is 813PS and 1430Nm.

• Gets active roll stability and rear-wheel steering as standard.

• Updated ADAS suite improves functionality of features.

Can’t manage to outrun the Monday blues sitting in the back of a standard S-Class? Or maybe sheer opulence isn’t just doing enough for you. Well, Mercedes has a solution to the problem in the form of the AMG S 63 E Performance. It's a plug-in hybrid AMG powertrain paired to a 4-litre, twin-turbo V8 with a combined output of 813PS and 1430Nm.

Design

For the uninitiated, the Mercedes-AMG S 63 E Performance might not look like an AMG at the very first glance. That’s because the styling isn’t as aggressive as you’d expect from a typical AMG; but then, this isn’t your typical AMG is it? The AMG-specific grille with the vertical slats and the three-pointed star in between are new additions to the sedan’s front fascia. 

Also new are the huge side air inlets which get functional air curtains for better aerodynamic efficiency. The AMG-specific, 21-inch wheels look mean in profile and the side skirts are more prominent and aggressive. The twin trapezoidal tailpipes are seen on either side at the rear, split by a diffuser with longitudinal fins.

Powertrain

The ‘E’ in the sedan’s moniker denotes its hybrid nature. Under the long bonnet nestles a twin-turbo, 4-litre V8 unit paired to a 193PS electric motor. The two combine to produce 813PS and 1430Nm which is sent to all four wheels using the 4Matic+ system. The result is a 3.3s time of 0-100 kmph with the top speed electronically limited to 290 kmph. It is geared using a nine-speed, multi-clutch transmission, while the electric motor gets a two-speed gearbox.

The electric motor is juiced using a 13.1kWh battery pack and the flagship sedan can go up to 33km on pure electric drive. Seven driving modes make sure you always have a setting for every condition; and if not, you can customise one at your own will, thanks to the ‘individual’ mode.

Features

It’s an S-Class. Of course it is brimmed to the roof with creature comfort features like ambient lighting, a 12.8-inch MBUX infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, connected car tech, a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display, and four-zone climate control. What’s changed for the Mercedes-AMG S 63 E performance is the safety suite, which now gets an updated ADAS features list including lane change assist, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. 

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The Mercedes-AMG S 63 E Performance could make its way to India after its launch in global markets next year. It’ll sit alongside the standard S-Class and will offer a faster, performance-oriented alternative to the BMW 7 Series and Audi A8L.