The S-Class stays as shut as we’ll ever get to an all-seeing crystal ball. The overall sentiment goes like this: if you wish to know what the remainder of the auto business will appear like in 5 to 10 years, peek at what Mercedes-Benz’s flagship is to date.
But, in as we speak’s expansive luxurious market, predicting the longer term has confirmed removed from straightforward. Whilst main gamers charged in unison to go totally electrical, a current slowing in demand for EVs has prompted automakers massive and small to reassess their plans. Bentley, for instance, has opted to push again its objective of promoting purely battery-powered automobiles by 2030 to 2035, whereas Aston Martin delayed the arrival of its first EV by 4 years to 2030 on the earliest.
For now, plug-in hybrids look like the best transfer for many manufacturers and other people, mixing the advantages of silent, short-range electrical journey and the long-range capabilities of an inner combustion engine. Though the S63’s growth lengthy preceded the slowing of EV gross sales by not going totally electrical, the sportiest S-Class stays poised for fulfillment. Doubly so, as rivals now make the lengthy pivot to undertake an identical powertrain formulation.
In true Mercedes-AMG trend, nonetheless, the S63 E Efficiency may be a hybrid, however by growing 791 horsepower and 1,055 pound-feet of torque, it’s additionally essentially the most highly effective S-Class ever. For these holding rating, that’s over 100 hp greater than a McLaren F1, a Ferrari Enzo, or a Porsche Carrera GT. Nonetheless, with loads of joyless high-power EVs in the marketplace and examples of poorly electrified icons, spec-wise, AMG’s newest reads like a correct muscle-limousine, however does it nonetheless really feel like an S63?
The lengthy and wanting it’s sure, it does. The German marque has already taken massive swings elsewhere; recall the four-cylinder C63 or the notorious F1-engined One. The S63 takes a much more conservative strategy to its hybrid technique, relying on {hardware} already cherished by followers of the model. Like its predecessor, a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 stays its core propulsion system, growing 604 hp and 664 lb-ft. Equally, a nine-speed automated sends energy to all 4 wheels. Thus far, so typical.
Focus your consideration on its again axle and issues develop into altogether much less acquainted. There, a drive unit homes a 94-hp electrical motor (with a max output of 188 hp), an electronically managed two-speed transmission, and a limited-slip differential. This second propulsion system works independently from the V8 up entrance, with this separation of church and state being intentional to permit each programs to ship most efficiency with out detracting from each other.
The complexity and weight this emissions-compliant setup introduces can’t be overstated. Drive it onto a set of scales, and Mercedes-AMG claims the ensuing determine will learn 5,831 kilos. That’s shy of 200 lb extra than a current-gen Rolls-Royce Phantom (5,644 lb.) Whereas it produces an additional 188 hp over the earlier gas-only S63, the brand new automobile is simply two-tenths faster to 60 mph.
Whereas the most recent S63 sedan is essentially the most highly effective S-Class ever, it isn’t the quickest, with that title belonging to the discontinued S63 Coupe. Nonetheless, the sedan’s 3.3-second time is spectacular, particularly given how a lot it weighs. This luxurious limousine nonetheless hits 60 mph as shortly as a Ferrari 458 Spider.
There are, in fact, advantages launched by a plug-in hybrid powertrain. Regardless of housing a tiny battery with simply over ten kilowatt-hours of usable capability, the S63 can cruise on electrons for as much as 16 miles. As supercars just like the Ferrari 296 GTB and the McLaren Artura exhibit, this flexibility is efficacious when a blaring chilly begin isn’t excellent. Should you reside throughout the pond, it additionally grants entry to ultra-low-emission zones in some main cities.
But regardless of its complicated powertrain, there’s by no means a second while you really feel such as you’re driving something aside from a correct S63. There are fixed reminders, like its exhaust, which spits out a correct burble on the request of your proper foot, solely to settle to silence whereas cruising. On the day by day commute, its suspension, comprised of air springs and adaptive dampers, softens effortlessly. A two-valve setup separates rebound and compression damping, making this automobile stiffer in Sport+ and softer in Consolation than earlier iterations.
Nevertheless, AMG might’ve gone firmer nonetheless. Particularly while you consider that Sport+ is essentially the most hardcore of a minimum of seven driving modes and three further dynamic management settings. Even at its stiffest, the S63’s experience stays compliant. On the identical time, its twin propulsion programs by no means commerce smoothness in favor of twitchy energy supply. It makes driving round completely on this prime setting an actual chance with none trade-offs.
The large Benz nonetheless impresses on a twisty backroad, an out-of-character situation for this automobile. In a straight line, the Mercedes-AMG S63 picks up velocity exactly such as you’d count on from a automobile shoved by 1,055 lb-ft. It’s explosive, making all considerations about this automobile’s weight disappear immediately. Issues kick off with its electrical motor, permitting its engine to hitch after constructing a full enhance. Its cautious calibration makes even this cut up powertrain really feel like one cohesive system. Sadly, given this automobile’s well-isolated cabin, a lot of the “engine noise” you hear is artificial.
Regardless of its mushy suspension and immense weight, the S63 has no hassle chasing down sports activities automobiles on a curvy again street. It stays extra balanced than anticipated, with little physique roll and impartial and predictable dealing with. That’s the magic of mixing a firmed-up chassis with rear-axle steering, anti-roll bars, and a limited-slip diff. Paired with a fast steering system, its onboard tech goes alongside option to hiding this automobile’s true heft.
With rotors measuring 15.7 inches up entrance with 15s within the rear, the S63’s composite brakes are large. They ship robust and constant efficiency, solely fading underneath excessive circumstances. On the day by day commute, nonetheless, they supply large stopping energy whereas remaining straightforward to modulate and silent of their execution.
Aesthetically, the most recent Mercedes-AMG S63 is extra polarizing than its predecessor, thanks primarily to its use of a large emblem up entrance and a good bigger grille. Regardless of sporting related proportions, the S63 that got here earlier than did a greater job mixing this automobile’s inherently sporty aesthetic with the refined class you’d count on from an S-Class.
This tester’s $6,500 Signature China Blue end is spectacular, pairing properly with a two-tone white and black inside. A $1,300 possibility including piano flowing-line trim introduces tasteful brightwork to this automobile’s cabin. Concurrently, the $750 AMG Evening Package deal contrasts this by darkening this sedan’s exterior trim, working properly alongside the intense physique colour.
The most costly possibility fitted to this automobile is the $10,500 Unique Inside Package deal by Manufaktur, the carmaker’s in-house customization arm. Given the S63’s elevated $183,400 base worth ($209,900 as-tested), together with a $1,150 vacation spot payment, this inside improve is dear. Nonetheless, it’s essential to unlock Manufaktur’s unique finishes, comparable to Nut Brown, Truffle Brown, Pastel Yellow, and this automobile’s Deep White, whereas rising customization flexibility.
The most recent Mercedes-AMG S63 E Efficiency may be a hybrid and essentially the most highly effective S-Class ever. Nevertheless, what issues most is simply how properly it embodies the S63 spirit. It’s a efficiency sedan first and a hybrid second, which, because of the system’s wonderful calibration, doesn’t detract from the driving expertise whereas adorning it with the newfound flexibility of silent electrical journey.
Not like most technological advances which have come to outline the S-Class, its use of a hybridized V8 comes principally in response to tightening emissions rules. Nonetheless, a drive on this newest flagship creates a way that regardless of this, AMG utilized the total weight of its engineering may to make sure that what’s now the heaviest S63 ever can nonetheless ship a driving expertise as enjoyable as it’s genuine to the badge within the again.
Electrifying a mannequin that’s iconic within the eyes of fans presents appreciable dangers. Nevertheless, because the S63 proves, a plug-in hybrid powertrain solely dilutes a automobile’s persona if a model permits it to.
