Mercedes-Benz is planning to go all-electric in countries where market conditions allow it to by 2030. Before that happens, it looks like Mercedes-AMG is going to get the most out of the internal combustion engine by giving it a helping hand with some electricity. Earlier this March, Mercedes-AMG previewed a high-performance plug-in hybrid powertrain. Now, we know the full details of the powertrain and what vehicle it will power. The automaker released all of the vehicle’s European specifications, but we’ll have to wait until later to get the U.S. version’s figures before its launch as a 2023 model.
This, everyone, is the Mercedes-AMG GT63 S E Performance. It won’t be the only plug-in hybrid vehicle from AMG, but at the moment, it’s the top dog. It’s also the most powerful road car AMG has ever built.
The PHEV utilizes AMG’s familiar twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine that makes 630 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque. The engine also utilizes a 48-volt starter-generator system and an electric motor on the rear axle that’s rated at 201 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. Thanks to its own two-speed transmission, the electric motor greatly improves acceleration and response time.
Together, the powertrain makes a combined 831 hp and 1,082 lb-ft of torque. While we’ve seen some powerful vehicles in the past few years, seeing a luxury sedan break the 1,000 pound-feet torque figure is staggering. A nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive help manage all of that power.
AMG believes the GT63 S E Performance will be able to get to 62 mph from a standstill in 2.9 seconds. The brand, though, tends to be conservative with its figures. Outlets achieved a zero-to-60 mph time in 2.6 seconds in the GT63 S, so we’re expecting big things from the PHEV.
AMG has fitted the GT63 S E Performance with a lightweight 6.1-kWh lithium-ion battery pack that was developed with some guidance from Mercedes’ Formula One car. The battery tips the scales at 196 pounds and has roughly double the amount of power as a traditional battery pack because of its direct-cooling system. It ensures the battery pack remains at its optimal operating temperature, despite ambient temperatures.
The plug-in hybrid aspect of the GT63 S E Performance brings impressive punch. It also brings some nifty qualities. The sedan can get up to 80 mph on nothing but electricity. It also helps the vehicle travel up to seven miles without any gasoline, but that’s on Europe’s scale. We expect the all-electricity range to be a little lower when the vehicle arrives in the U.S. The GT63 S E Performance has four levels of regenerative braking that drivers can toggle through via a button on the steering wheel. The highest setting will allow for one-pedal driving.
The new plug-in hybrid GT63 S E Performance will become the head honcho in the AMG GT family. Seeing as how the AMG GT63 S has a starting MSRP of roughly $162,000, we wouldn’t be surprised to see the high-performance PHEV cost more than $200,000. Mercedes-AMG will probably announce pricing closer to the vehicle’s on-sale date.
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