What’s better than nearly 800 horsepower? Getting to keep the original V8 that got it done plus an extra goodie bag of tricks
It’s not often you see a legend return. In today’s day and age, we see more legends getting nixed and killed off more than we see them popping back up again. When Mercedes-Benz discontinued the S63 AMG briefly, German fanboys took a big, worrisome gulp filled to the brim with anxiety. Would the world ever see a performance luxury cruise ship like the S63 was?
Then, when the C63 AMG was replaced by a hybrid four-pot instead of the roaring V8 it once helmed, those same devotees held a level of disquiet never known to the brand. The fear of downsizing. The same company that built the iconic CLK GTR with its monstrous V12 powerplant now was at risk of closing up shop in the form of its cylinders? Those doubts were extinguished with the reveal of the new S63 AMG keeping its good ol’ V8 with an electric motor, brandishing the “E Performance” moniker for all of Mercedes’ high-octane vehicles dovetailed with hybrids. Critics were swayed even more when the brand penned its performance numbers: 791 horses of pure German chutzpah.
A Luxury Cruise Ship Returned
Instead of slashing the V8 in half, Mercedes-Benz decided to plug into its electrification department and supplement the new S63 with a hybrid motor. As if the original 4.0 liter biturbo V8 needed any assistance, Mercedes wasn’t content with the idea of having the same ol’ S63. With the brand moving more and more models underneath its E Performance umbrella, the S63 was one of the few holdouts that was a flagship vehicle in the German performance world.
With the S63’s newfound power, its 791 horsepower rockets this cruise ship of a vehicle to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds and lets it top out at 180 mph. Any faster than that and this rendition of the Norwegian Pearl might just capsize. The improved drivetrain format, with a hybrid layout along the rear axle and an internal combustion powerplant up front claims to provide a superior driving experience, balancing out the vehicle for a more comfortable and solidified ride.
More Mercedes-Benz’s to Tickle Your Fancy
The S63 also receives a hefty torque increase over its non-hybrid counterpart with the number being boosted up to 1,055 lb-ft of total sending your head flying back into your cushy seat power. With a true electric motor being situated at the rear wheels, feel free to take this to the local drag strip night as most of that torque is available instantly and on demand.
Unique in Each Piece
Take the tandem powertrain apart and look at each piece and we see that Mercedes-Benz has made it evident that there is no weak link. The gasoline engine itself makes 603 horses and 664 lb-ft of torque in solitude. The electric motor has two speeds with the S63 shifting it into second at 87 mph at an astonishing 13,500 rpms.
With the motor being situated on the rear axle, the S63 is able to employ an electronically-controlled limited slip differential linked to a 13.1 kWh battery pack that’ll be able to run 20 miles alone giving the S63 AMG a huge boost in terms of EPA fuel economy— something which owners of the S63 will be very concerned about.
Sarcastic automotive journalist commentary aside, it becomes apparent that the Mercedes-Benz team didn’t simply half-ass this, this is a true work of art. Featuring a permanently excited synchronous motor, the S63 AMG is able to use the electric motor’s full torque output throughout all rpms meaning more torque with a whole less fancy electronic gizmos and gadgets to get it there. The new system also allows the S63 to be a fully AWD EV at times bringing a rather new innovation into the world’s spotlight in a performance-oriented vehicle.
The S63 has F1 roots derived from the MB Racing Team, where the lithium-ion battery cells were developed. Inspired by the same technology that Lewis Hamilton uses on the tarmac at Spa, the high-performance battery combines high power that can be called up in rapid succession with low weight to enhance the overall performance of the vehicle.
Still an S63, No Matter Which Way You Spin It
Add a hybrid motor, go without, add three V12s in it… it doesn’t matter. The S63 will always be Mercedes-Benz’s flagship AMG. This steers no different in the way of amenities and niceties. The S63 AMG comes with nearly everything you’d expect from a S-Class, encapsulating all of Mercedes’ and AMG’s biggest and best hits.
Standard with rear-wheel steering, seven distinct and unique drive modes, 15-inch AMG composite brake rotors, and AMG parameter steering, the nouveau S63 has a lot to offer. Tagged along with air suspension the AMG Ride Control+ is the German way of transforming a snoozefest to an asphalt party. Electro-mechanically controlled anti-roll bars create a way for the S63 to develop an active roll stabilization system giving the driver reassurance that this thing won’t end up in a ditch on the side of the road because you decided to take a curve at 20 miles over the speed limit. We wouldn’t advise you to try but hey we’ve all been there. Don’t ask us how we know.
The AMG S63 also drops itself .4 inches when it eclipses the 75 mph notch, allowing for the best handling possible on Interstate 35. The styling is also one of the sexiest it has been in generations, keeping MB’s current design ethos and implanting it onto the fascia of the S63.
Sitting on 21-inch rubbers, the S63 AMG looks more presenting than the bleak S-Class yet doesn’t separate itself too much. An AMG-exclusive grille is omnipresent on the ship, along with a slight change to the S63’s emblem program. An AMG badge flashes on the hood while the Benz logo is relegated to only the front grille. A breathtaking change in our book.
The interior upgrades itself from a simple and luxurious S-Class design to more of a sporty, proposing look. One that seems eager to hit the track even though it knows it’s a tad overweight. While we understand the sporty aspect of the S63, we’d be a little bit scared to see how it does on our test track, simply because we’re anxious about the worlds of body roll a primarily luxury-based car will have on a course meant for 911s and Supras.
We have no clue the pricing plan for the new generation S63, but we can easily assume it’ll be a premium over the previous one. Tugging at your wallet at hairs over $152,000 this isn’t your average CLA-Class. The current S500 starts in the six-figures at over $115,000 and you should already prepare yourself for the Mercedes-Benz name tax along with dealer markups and additional fees. The new S63 AMG should return in 2023 to an eager and loyal fanbase, us included.
