Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance revealed

Meet the 2022 Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance: a super sedan that packs AMG’s first plug-in hybrid powertrain, making it the German brand’s most powerful production model ever.

Also marking the debut of Mercedes-AMG’s new E Performance sub-brand, the electrified GT 4-Door combines a 470kW/900Nm version of AMG’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 with a 6.1kWh battery pack and a 150kW electric motor mounted on the rear axle.

The upshot is the 2022 Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance produces an earth-churning 620kW of power and no less than 1400Nm of torque.

Those gob-smacking numbers are delivered to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission and a limited-slip rear differential.

Mercedes-AMG claims its most powerful model can launch from standstill to 100km/h in just 2.9 seconds, 200km/h in less than 10 seconds and a top speed of 316km/h.

That’s better on all counts than the Porsche Panamera Turbo S-E Hybrid with which the GT 63 S E Performance will compete when it lands in Aussie showrooms in the second half of 2022.

Mercedes-AMG says it drew on the technical knowledge of its Formula 1 team when developing its new supercar-quick sports sedan, which charts new performance territory while also achieving lower emissions and fuel use – to the order of 196g/km CO2 and 8.6L/100km combined.

For context, the top-selling Toyota HiLux dual-cab emits 220g/km CO2 and consumes 8.4L/100km.

Despite its epic performance, AMG’s hybrid super-sedan also offers 12km of electric-only range at speeds up to 130km/h.

Mercedes-AMG said its lightweight hybrid ethos resulted in a battery that weighs just 89kg and “is specifically designed for fast power delivery and draw, not for the longest possible range”.

“In the course of development, there was a lively exchange of expert knowledge between the High Performance Powertrains (HPP) Formula 1 engine shop in Brixworth and Mercedes-AMG in Affalterbach,” sid AMG.

“The AMG high-performance battery combines high power that can be called up frequently in succession with low weight to increase the overall performance of the vehicle. Added to this are the fast energy draw and the high power density.

“This means that during a brisk drive in hilly terrain, for example, drivers can immediately call on the full power potential on uphill stretches, while regeneration is strong when driving downhill.”

Four-stage regenerative brakes are key to said regenerative power, while the E Performance almost mimics a complex F1 steering wheel with its seven different driving modes: Electric, Sport, Sport+, RACE, Slippery and Individual – each controlling parameters for the drive system and transmission mapping, steering, suspension damping and sound.

Naturally, the software suite is complete with its own Drift mode, too.

Mercedes-AMG says that while the GT 63 S E Performance starts up in typical silence, customers will be treated to the traditional sound experience inside the cabin courtesy of “acoustic feedback via the loudspeakers”.

Similarly, the plug-in hybrid emits a special low-frequency sound outside the vehicle in electric mode via two speakers to alert outsiders to its presence.

The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance rides on AMG Ride Control plus suspension and is available with ceramic composite brakes measuring 420mm up front, clamped by six-piston fixed callipers.

Visually, the S E Performance doesn’t deviate far from either the Mercedes-AMG GT 53 or GT 63 sedans, other than a front bumper that channels design cues from the GT coupe and charging port integrated neatly into the rear bumper. There are also new 20-inch and 21-inch alloy wheel designs.

Inside the cabin resides a familiar MBUX infotainment system and a two-spoke steering wheel with haptic feedback buttons.

What we don’t know yet is the price, but we’d speculate a starting figure of about $400,000 (plus on-road costs).

The garden-variety GT 63 S starts at $363,576 (plus on-road costs), while the rivalling Porsche Panamera Turbo S-E Hybrid is priced at $426,500 (plus on-road costs).

The Mercedes-AMG GT S E Performance will be officially on display at the Munich motor show in Germany next week before reaching Australian showrooms next year.

“The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance will be available to customers in Australia, with first local arrivals expected in the second half of 2022,” said a Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesman in a statement.

“Information on pricing will be available closer to that time.”