The S-Class stays as shut as we’ll ever get to an all-seeing crystal ball. The final sentiment goes like this: if you wish to know what the remainder of the auto business will appear to be in 5 to 10 years, peek at what Mercedes-Benz’s flagship is so far.
But, in at this time’s expansive luxurious market, predicting the long run has confirmed removed from straightforward. Whilst main gamers charged in unison to go absolutely electrical, a latest slowing in demand for EVs has brought on automakers huge 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 appear to be the best transfer for many manufacturers and folks, 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 absolutely electrical, the sportiest S-Class stays poised for achievement. Doubly so, as opponents now make the lengthy pivot to undertake an analogous powertrain components.
In true Mercedes-AMG trend, nevertheless, the S63 E Efficiency is perhaps a hybrid, however by growing 791 horsepower and 1,055 pound-feet of torque, it’s additionally probably the most highly effective S-Class ever. For these conserving 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 available on the market 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 huge swings elsewhere; recall the four-cylinder C63 or the notorious F1-engined One. The S63 takes a much more conservative method to its hybrid technique, relying on {hardware} already beloved 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 computerized sends energy to all 4 wheels. To date, so typical.
Focus your consideration on its again axle and issues change 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 techniques 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 barely two-tenths faster to 60 mph.
Whereas the newest S63 sedan is probably 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 reveal, this flexibility is effective when a blaring chilly begin isn’t very best. Should you stay 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 apart 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 may’ve gone firmer nonetheless. Particularly while you think about that Sport+ is probably the most hardcore of at least seven driving modes and three further dynamic management settings. Even at its stiffest, the S63’s experience stays compliant. On the similar time, its twin propulsion techniques by no means commerce smoothness in favor of twitchy energy supply. It makes driving round solely on this high 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 pace exactly such as you’d anticipate 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 highway. 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 solution 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 huge. They ship robust and constant efficiency, solely fading underneath excessive circumstances. On the day by day commute, nevertheless, they supply large stopping energy whereas remaining straightforward to modulate and silent of their execution.
Aesthetically, the newest 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 delicate class you’d anticipate 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 brilliant physique coloration.
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 charge, this inside improve is expensive. Nonetheless, it’s essential to unlock Manufaktur’s unique finishes, corresponding to Nut Brown, Truffle Brown, Pastel Yellow, and this automobile’s Deep White, whereas growing customization flexibility.
The most recent Mercedes-AMG S63 E Efficiency is perhaps a hybrid and probably the most highly effective S-Class ever. Nevertheless, what issues most is simply how effectively it embodies the S63 spirit. It’s a efficiency sedan first and a hybrid second, which, due to the system’s glorious 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 laws. 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.
