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Jun 29, 2023

2023 Mercedes

With a new hybrid drivetrain, the S 63 E Performance is set to be the most

With a new hybrid drivetrain, the S 63 E Performance is set to be the most powerful S-Class yet.

Mercedes-Benz is a luxury manufacturer by and large, even with more affordable models like the A-Class added to the mix. But one of Stuttgart's alphabetized model lineups stands above the rest—the big body S-Class sedan. With the exception of Maybach-branded units, the S-class is regarded as the benchmark model for the cushioned, silent kind of cabin that VIP passengers require. Make no mistake, however, that the S-class is a stout performer, especially when AMG gets involved. And that's exactly what is happening for the 2023 model year, with the launch of the new Mercedes-AMG S 63 E Performance. The last time we saw the S 63 was in 2021 when the C217 coupe and convertible chassis were powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8. Nearly three years later, the S 63 nameplate has been remodeled as a four-door sedan, with an electrified version of the same twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8.

At its peak, the new P3 hybrid powertrain is good for 791 hp and 1055 lb-ft of torque, but it's more than whopping power figures that make this powertrain interesting. New for the 2023 model year, Mercedes-AMG has bolted a permanently excited synchronous 188-hp electric motor to the rear axle and worked a 13.1-kWh battery into the drivetrain, allowing the S 63 E Performance to take advantage of immediate torque off the line.The electric motor is run independently of the V8 engine and traditional nine-speed multi-clutch transmission thanks to an electrically shifted two-speed transmission, though the pair of transmissions work together in the event of rear-axle slip to send power to the front wheels. The geared design of the electric motor is tailored for supplementary power delivery across the power range of the ICE engine, shifting into its second gear at 87 mph to fill in for gaps in turbocharged boost. Paired with the variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive, the model can sprint from o-60 mph in 3.2 seconds, eventually reaching its electronically limited top speed of 180 mph.

Based on the previous high-performance battery (HPB 80), the new 13.1-kWh lithium-ion battery represents over double the battery capacity of its predecessor. This increase allows for an additional bump in power, with a continuous output of 94 hp. For context, the peak horsepower of the new S 63 E Performance is 791 hp, but the continuously available number will be closer to 697 hp. Both the peak and continuous power figures are significant in and of themselves, but the specific battery design is also made to aid in the longevity of the model.Mercedes says the battery is positioned over the rear axle to more evenly distribute weight across the 17.5-foot sedan, with the company claiming some basis in Formula 1 technology. To keep this system cool, Mercedes has developed a proprietary coolant based on an electrically non-conductive liquid that flows over all of the 1200 cells, with the model carrying around 3.7 gallons and a special electric pump to distribute the fluid. As a result, the battery should stay within an average operating temperature of 113 degrees Fahrenheit, increasing the lifetime and performance of the battery.

Committing to electrification for performance's sake, the company has also embraced its application in every facet of the car. With three levels of regenerative braking and an all-electric drive mode available up to 87 mph, the new AMG S 63 E Performance is set to be the most powerful and most technologically advanced of the lot. An Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System has also been fitted to the car to help alert pedestrians of an incoming EV using low-frequency sound waves.

The appeal and class of the S-Class product are always in the details. In this case, Mercedes has fitted some specific hardware to ensure performance benchmarks and luxury standards are simultaneously met. For example, the S 63 E Performance will be the first of its kind with active engine mounts, using bearings and a set of vibration sensors to soften or harden the connection of the engine to the chassis based on the driving situation. Additionally, an aluminum stabilizer and diagonal underbody struts have been added to increase torsional rigidity.Adjustable suspension with adaptive dampers is standard fare, as is active roll stabilization. This is an AMG after all. Unique to the chassis dynamics of the model, however, is a torque-vectoring-style system available through the electric motor. Instead of traditional interference by electric stability control, slippage at a single wheel can be remedied by reducing drive torque from the electric motor to that one wheel. Three different steering settings are also available, thanks to variable-geometry steering ratios, and rear-wheel steering is standard with up to 2.5 degrees of steering angle.

The combination of traditional performance features and new electric tech is a sign that the old-fashioned AMG is changing, with the electric future is now reaching every branch of the industry. Similarly, safety standards are on the rise and advanced driver-assistance systems are becoming standard on even the most basic economy cars. In the case of the S 63 E Performance, the suite of ADAS are run-of-the-mill things like blind spot assist, emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. However, the application of these systems is uniquely German, with active steering assist available up to 130 mph and active lane-keep assist available up to 155 mph. Advanced driver assistance systems are Autobahn-ready—at least Mercedes seems to think so.

Inside the new S 63 E Performance, passengers and drivers alike will find a familiar set of plush leather seats, personal infotainment screens, and an AMG-specific driver's cockpit. Sound is provided by a Dolby Atmos system, with a 360-degree interior sound design. Altogether, the interior outfit and exterior design of the S 63 E Performance appear modernized while retaining a level of simplicity and class that has long characterized Mercedes-AMG design. With a significantly changed drivetrain and a dive into the world of performance electrification, making the model a familiar sight is probably a smart move.

Pricing and delivery timeline details have yet to be announced. The last incarnation of the S 63 started at $168,695, but the development of a hybrid drivetrain and the addition of two doors means this new version will likely start many thousands of dollars higher than its predecessor. As cars get more expensive across the board, the MSRP of models like the S 63 E is hardly conceivable to the average consumer, but the drivetrain and battery technology is something to continue watching. In the automotive world, trickle-down technology is a common occurrence, as R&D teams find ways to use already engineered systems across the model lineup, and we can only hope the same is true for future Mercedes products.

A New York transplant hailing from the Pacific Northwest, Emmet White has a passion for anything that goes: cars, bicycles, planes, and motorcycles. After learning to ride at 17, Emmet worked in the motorcycle industry before joining Autoweek in 2022. The woes of alternate side parking have kept his fleet moderate, with a 2014 Volkswagen Jetta GLI and a 2003 Honda Nighthawk 750 street parked in his South Brooklyn community.

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