Mercedes-AMG has given the S-Class a massive power upgrade. With 802 hp, the S 63 leaves even a Porsche 911 GTS standing in the sprint. We have gathered all the data and information about the powerhouse luxury sedan.
Once again, superlatives are not stingy when Mercedes unctuously presents the AMG version of the S-Class. However, at least one of these superlatives cannot be disputed: The Mercedes-AMG S 63 E Performance is nothing less than a sports car when it comes to power. The luxury sedan leaves quite a few contemporary sports cars behind at the start of the traffic light. Let's look at the data in detail.
The Design
Externally, the AMG S-Class can be recognized by the specific radiator grille with vertical slats and the large central star. Instead of the small star, the German company places its AMG crest on the hood.
The S-Class AMG look very aggressive. The front bumper in the jet wing design has large side air inlets with functional air curtains. Optionally, up to 21-inch forged wheels can rotate in the wheel arches, and AMG replaces the side skirts with in-house models. At the rear, trapezoidal, corrugated twin tailpipe trims and a wide diffuser characterize the look.
The long-wheelbase version of the S-Class serves as the basis for the S 63 E Performance and that makes it extremely suitable for everyday use. The AMG is even allowed to load 1105 lbs in its narrow 305-liter trunk.
The Interior
In the interior, AMG supplements the familiar equipment of the S-Class with specific elements. These include the specially quilted sports seats, various decorative elements and the AMG Performance steering wheel with dynamic steering wheel buttons. The company also decorated the MBUX infotainment system with specific displays and functions, such as the extensive telemetry data of the AMG Track Pace.
The view of the instrument cluster can be individually personalized with different display styles, the same applies to the optional head-up display. For acoustic entertainment, AMG has installed a Dolby Atmos sound system with 360-degree surround sound, via which, for example, the composed electric soundscape is played into the interior during purely electric drive.
The Power
The combustion engine heart of the hybrid AMG beats in the front and that is, how could it be otherwise, the well-known V8 Biturbo with four liters displacement. The eight-cylinder contributes 612 hp and 900 Newton meters of maximum torque to the system's performance.
A permanently excited synchronous machine (PSM) on the rear axle adds 140 kW (190 hp) of peak power. Mercedes specifies 70 kW as its continuous output. The constellation sounds a lot like the AMG GT 4-door, even if in the end not quite as much power comes out, but more torque.
The bottom line is that we still end up with an obscene 802 hp and 1055 lb-ft of torque and a top speed of 180 mph with the optional Drivers Package. A nine-speed automatic sorts the tranny. The pumped-up luxury sedan accelerates from a standing start to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds – impressive for a vehicle weighing around 5200 lbs.
The Tech
The AMG S 63 E Performance manages a total of 21 miles and up to 87 mph without any noise or emissions. This is ensured by a large battery with a capacity of 13.1 kWh instead of the variant with 12-kilowatt hours known from the AMG GT 63 SE Performance.
Of course, in Germany, they don't just call it "battery", but "high-performance battery", HPB for short. It was developed in exchange with the Mercedes Petronas Formula 1 racing team.
The aim was to achieve fast energy absorption, high power density and power that can be called up frequently in succession.
Because this makes efficient cooling of the cells essential, the developers have given the 400-volt battery direct cooling. 30 liters of coolant flow around all 1,200 cells individually and keep them within an average temperature range of 45 degrees.
It is charged using a 3.7 kW onboard charger at the column, the wall box or the household socket. On the go, energy flows back into the battery via recuperation. To regulate the intensity, the AMG S-Class has four recuperation levels from a minimum of up to 90 kW. There is no sailing mode.
The 4Matic+ all-wheel drive distributes the power to all wheels. The rear wheels steer at an angle of up to 2.5 degrees as standard, and AMG has also installed three-stage parameter steering with variable steering geometry, which automatically adjusts depending on the selected driving mode.
There are seven driving modes to choose from. In addition to the well-known "Comfort", "Sport", "Sport+" and "Individual" settings, "Electric", "Battery Hold" and "Smooth" are also on board. Thanks to the mechanical connection to the 4Matic components, all-wheel drive is also available in purely electric driving mode.
Driving dynamics are regulated by the AMG Dynamics system. In addition to ESP and power distribution, it also influences the electronically controlled rear axle locking differential. If the system registers too much slip on the rear wheels, the power is also transmitted to the front wheels via the drive shafts if necessary.
AMG programmed the S 63 into three levels: Basic, Advanced and Pro. The latter setting is linked to the Sport+ driving mode and is intended to intensify agility and road surface feedback, while Basic provides stable driving behavior. The Advanced setting is the middle ground.
Traction control also works via the electric motor itself, in that the drive torque of the PSM is redistributed if there is too much slip. As a result, the ESP does not have to intervene at all, or only much later, in order to throttle the combustion engine.
An AMG high-performance composite brake system with 6-piston fixed calipers at the front and 1-piston floating calipers at the rear slow down the S-AMG. Discs measuring 400 x 38 millimeters are used at the front and 380 x 32 millimeters at the rear. Optionally, the AMG ceramic high-performance compound brake system can be added.
AMG equips the S 63 E Performance with the Ride Control+ chassis as standard, which is based on air suspension with automatic level control and also has variable adjustable damping. From a speed of 75 mph, the sporty S-Class automatically sinks 10 millimeters lower towards the asphalt.
Active roll stabilization, which electromechanically compensates body movements, contributes to cornering performance. The system adjusts the control up to 500 times per second. In addition, a reinforced body shell increases the torsional rigidity of the front end for better feedback when turning.
When it comes to assistance systems, the Mercedes-AMG S 63 E Performance just can’t be beaten. On board are the Active Distance Assist Distronic, Active Steering Assist, Traffic Sign Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist and Lane Change Assist, Active Emergency Stop Assist, Blind Spot Assist, and Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function.
The Drive Pilot system, which enables autonomous driving according to SAE Level 3, can already be ordered for the standard S-Class and the EQS. As far as the AMG S 63 E Performance is concerned, Mercedes intends to offer the function at a later date that has not been specified in more detail. In traffic jams on the motorway, for example, the Drive Pilot takes over the task of driving completely at speeds of up to 37 mph.
Conclusion
Mercedes is adamant that the AMG version of the S-Class will be available in early 2023. We think the deliveries will start around mid-2023 because even a price tag is not dangling from the interior mirror yet.
It is not going to be cheap but some combustion engine fans will surely scrape the pennies together anyway because the future of AMG is electric. The starting signal will be given in 2025, the Vision AMG study provides an outlook.
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Resources
- https://media.mercedes-benz.com/gt63s_eperformance
- https://group-media.mercedes-benz.com/marsMediaSite/en/instance/ko/The-S-Class-from-Mercedes-AMG-Perfect-synthesis-of-comfort-and-dynamism-with-E-PERFORMANCE.xhtml?oid=54675387
- https://www.autoweek.com/news/luxury/a42152092/2023-mercedes-amg-s-63-e-details-revealed/
- https://www.autoblog.com/2022/12/05/2024-mercedes-amg-s63-e-performance-reveal/
- https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/2023-mercedes-amg-s-63-e-performance-hybrid-1234781706/
- https://hypebeast.com/2022/12/2023-mercedes-amg-s-63-e-performance-v8-hybrid-power-speed-price-first-look
- https://www.motortrend.com/news/2023-mercedes-amg-s63-e-performance-first-look-review/
- https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a42152358/2023-mercedes-amg-s-63-e-performance/
- https://www.motor1.com/news/625114/2023-mercedes-amg-s-63-e-performance-debut/
- https://jalopnik.com/2023-mercedes-amg-s63-e-performance-710-hp-1055-lb-ft-1849855940
Tankut Basar
Tankut Basar is an ARA (American Rally Assoc.) Racing Driver and an FIA Bronze Category License Holder. His passion for driving began with karting like most racers. He started racing internationally at the age of 22. Tankut loves everything car-related and will keep enjoying the drive until the end.
