The Mercedes-AMG S63 has been reborn as a plug-in hybrid performance saloon housing an electrically assisted 4.0-litre V8 that develops up to 791bhp. Set for UK sale early next year, the luxury super-saloon runs an updated version of the twin-turbocharged engine used by its predecessor, but now adopts a rear-axle-mounted electric motor and a 13.1kWh lithium ion battery. The set-up is similar to that of the Mercedes-AMG performance car division's recently introduced GT 63 SE Performance.
The new petrol-electric drivetrain brings an additional 214bhp over the old S63, which makes the 2023 model - officially called the S63 E Performance - the most powerful series-production S-Class model to date. Even more impressive is the increase in torque: up by 391lb ft to 1054lb ft.
This means the new S63's reserves eclipse those of even the previous-generation S65, whose twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre V12 petrol engine delivered 624bhp and 737lb ft.
However, the added muscle is not without a substantial weight penalty. The car arrives with a claimed kerb weight of 2595kg (525kg more than its predecessor), albeit with what Mercedes-AMG's head of technical development, Jochen Hermann, describes as "optimised weight distribution".
Denne historien er fra December 07 - 14, 2022 (Double Issue)-utgaven av Autocar UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra December 07 - 14, 2022 (Double Issue)-utgaven av Autocar UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
The venomous nature of the Cobra
Last week, Matt Prior drove a totally new kind of AC Cobra. This is a car with one of the strongest allures of all - but also an incredibly complex and controversial history.
SKODA KAMIQ
A long getting-to-know-you trip to Spain reveals all
THE SEVEN-YEAR TITCH
Outgoing baby Jag is plush, practical and now eminently affordable
'Our time has come'
Honda may be late to the EV party, but a barrage of bold new battery-powered cars is on the way. JAMES ATTWOOD speaks to boss Toshihiro Mibe at its R&D base to find out what's in store
Lion kings
Plush, powerful four-door cars are an endangered species - and now Peugeot has called time on its latest, the 508 PSE. STEPHEN DOBIE compares it with its most significant ancestor, the 505 GTI
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Wolfsburg gives the lesser-known Golf PHEV a big-impact refresh
PORSCHE PANAMERA GTS
Stuttgart's latest 'bahnstormer targets driver appeal over outright punch
MERCEDES-AMG GT 63 PRO
Hardcore variant of V8 sports car engineered with track days in mind
TESLA REVEALS ROBOTAXI
Firm unveils Cybercab coupé and 20-seat Robovan in autonomy push
DACIA PLOTS AMBITIOUS EXPANDED EURO LINE-UP
Firm teases something different’ ahead of impending C-segment reveal