The 7th-gen Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W223) lineup is now joined by the big daddy AMG S 63 E Performance—billed as “the most powerful S-Class of all time”. As with its smaller sibling the AMG C 63 S E Performance, the AMG S 63 E Performance too packs a plug-in hybrid powertrain, but will talk about it in just a minute or two. Merc didn’t disclose the pricing and availability information just yet, but I’m sure your local dealer can help you out with the same.
Visually, there is some typical AMG stuff that you’d expect, such as the AMG-specific radiator grille with vertical louvers; sporty front & rear bumpers with carbon fibre bits; AMG-specific side sill extensions, and up to 21-inch AMG forged wheels (20-inch wheels are standard). The rear diffuser houses twin tailpipes at either end.
You get AMG Ride Control+ suspension with adaptive damping (air suspension with automatic level control) as standard; the level control system automatically lowers the limo by 10 mm at above 120 km/h (75 mph). Of course, the suspension characteristics vary depending on the driving mode you’re in. You get to play with modes such as Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual. A 48-volt AMG Active Ride Control active roll stabilization is also part of the standard equipment, as are AMG parameter steering (variable steering ratio as per the driving mode) and rear-axle steering.
Braking duties are handled by AMG high-performance composite braking system with discs measuring 400 x 38 mm at the front gripped by 6-piston calipers and 380 x 32 mm at the rear gripped by single-piston calipers.
It’s a déjà vu on the inside; I mean, if you’re familiar with the 7th-gen S-Class (and its Maybach version) interior, this is not gonna look all that different, but of course, there’s a sporty vibe going on here with AMG-branded seats, AMG Performance steering wheel, AMG-specific UI on the displays, red ambient lighting.. and all those fun stuff. The rest of the features including the ADAS suite have been carried over from the regular S-Class.
Moving on to the juicy bits of the story then, the Mercedes-AMG S 63 E Performance packs a petrol-electric plug-in hybrid all-wheel-drive powertrain. Meaning, a 4.0L V8 biturbo sits at the front while an electric motor takes care of the rear axle. The popular combustion engine pumps out 450 kW (612 metric hp) and 900 Nm (664 lb-ft) of torque, while the permanently excited synchronous motor at the rear offers 140 kW (190 metric hp) and 320 Nm (236 lb-ft) extra. The combined output figures are gonna be 590 kW (802 metric hp) and 1,430 Nm (1,055 lb-ft). Transmission is a 9-speed MCT (Multi-Clutch Transmission) where a wet starting clutch replaces the torque converter for weight and throttle response benefits. A 13.1 kWh battery pack is estimated to offer a pure electric range of up to 33 km (20 mi).
The 2.6-tonne (2,595 kg, kerb weight) limo is claimed to sprint from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.3 seconds. The top speed is limited to 250 km/h (155 mph), but if you pay extra, Merc will shamelessly grin and extend it to 290 km/h (180 mph). The pure-electric top speed is 140 km/h (87 mph); no extra payments here.
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