Huge! The Mercedes-AMG S 63 E Performance is an 802 CV PHEV limousine exempt from registration tax

The new Mercedes-AMG S 63 E Performance is the most powerful S-Class in history. Not only is it the most beastly model in the range, but as a good flagship it brings together the best of Mercedes and AMG under the refined bodywork of the S-Class, both in terms of electrification and technology as well as motorist.

To no one's surprise, the Mercedes-AMG S 63 E Performance is a PHEV plug-in hybrid . It can move only thanks to the energy provided by its 13.1 kWh battery to a 188 HP permanent magnet motor and two speeds on the rear axle, which allows it to reach 140 km/h.

But also thanks to the great 4.0-liter biturbo V8 developed by AMG that delivers 612 hp and 900 Nm here and is associated with a 9-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

But make no mistake, the presence of a battery is not here to reduce certified emissions, but rather to support the V8 and make this 5.34m-long S-Class the equivalent of a private jet on the road.

From the outset, the autonomy in electric mode is below the limit of 41 km set by the European Union to be considered a low-emission car. The autonomy in electric mode of this S-Class is only 33 km (and for this reason in Spain it will not be able to display the ZERO label , like most PHEV cars).

A battery to be the fastest, not to spend less

Here, being able to move the car is just a by-product, it's an addition. And it is that the battery is not optimized for autonomy. Instead, it takes a cue from the batteries that have helped AMG on its path to multiple F1 championships ; its job is to deliver power in an instant to support the V8. As a whole it is essentially the same powertrain as in the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 SE Performance.

The result is a Class S that, in total, develops 802 CV and delivers the brutality of 1,430 Nm of maximum torque. More than enough to propel the 2,595 kg German limousine from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.3 seconds.

As an option, the top speed can be increased to 290 km/h instead of the usual 250 km/h. Which makes us wonder what the top speed it can go without electronic restraint will be.

However, speed in a straight line is only half the story. The S 63 E Performance comes standard with features such as active air suspension with active roll compensation, which calculates the pressure to be applied 500 times per second, and four-wheel steering, with the rear wheels turning at a maximum angle of 1.5°.

It also gets AMG brakes with six-piston calipers at the front and a three-stage stability control system to accommodate different levels of driver skill. To which we must add seven driving modes, from Electric to Individual. Luxury is also that, being able to choose.

For the most boring journeys on the highway, it will also be possible to resort to the Drive Pilot level 3 autonomous driving function. Already implemented in Germany, it is expected to be available in other European countries by the end of 2023 at the earliest.

The Lidar on the front grill, the hump that hides the satellite antennas on the rear window and the rear camera are indications of the presence of this hardware. Of course, it remains to be seen if this function will be standard, an option to use or it will be necessary to pay a subscription.

A luxurious interior with surround sound

On board, the sporty treatment does not diminish the impression of comfort that the Mercedes designers wanted to create in the S-Class. The seats, upholstered in Nappa leather, have specific stitching and an embossed AMG logo, but it is not an atmosphere. racing.

Carbon is also omnipresent, contrasting with the softness of the rear seats, very privileged thanks to the long wheelbase of 3.21 m. From the rear seats it is possible to remotely control the different driving modes, the passenger even has the right to their telemetry information on the rear screens.

The emotion is not only in the driving, but also in the sound, with an impressive Burmeister system that uses Dolby Atmos technology. This enables 360-degree playback of specially recorded tracks, which can be found on the Tidal, Apple Music or Spotify platforms integrated into the onboard system.

The S-Class includes a system that allows passengers to feel the bass through the seat. Finally, the volume of the trunk is the same as in the PHEV version of the S-Class, a small 305 liters.

The most powerful S-Class ever promises to be a real spectacle, making the most of its massive mass with a riot of power and sophisticated active suspension. We will have to wait until the summer of 2023 for the start of its commercialization and its price.

And speaking of price, although the S 63 E Performance is not eligible for the ZERO label due to its electric range of less than 40 km, it will be a model exempt from registration tax, as it approves only 100 g/km of CO₂.