Mercedes-AMG S 63 E Performance merges speed with luxury

If you like your luxury saloons seasoned with a generous helping of performance, then the 2022 Mercedes-AMG S 63 E Performance will get your radar a-pinging. 

Essentially a plug-in hybrid, this cosseting German muscle car hits the road with a 4.0l twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine and a synchronous electric motor mounted to the rear axle. Juiced by a 13.1kWh battery pack, the latter boosts the car's maximum output to 590kW and 1,430Nm. According to Mercedes, these impressive figures will see the S 63 E Performance go from 0-100km/h in 3.3 seconds. Equipped with the optional AMG Driver's Package, it will top out at 290km/h. On the flip side, drivers can look forward to a maximum all-electric driving range of 33km.

To help put all this power to the ground and improve the car's handling characteristics, the S 63 E Performance is equipped with a fully variable AMG Performance 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system that ensures optimal traction in all conditions. There's also a trick electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential, rear-wheel steering, active roll stabilisation and a fully adjustable AMG Ride Control+ air-suspension system. Fancy. 

Twenty-inch AMG forged alloy wheels come standard, but customers can tick the box on larger 21-inch examples. Behind them resides a standard AMG high-performance composite braking system that features six-piston fixed calipers and 400mm discs up front and one-piston floating calipers and 380mm rotors at the rear.

As to be expected, the cabin is laden with an impressive array of gadgetry, including an MBUX infotainment system with AMG- and hybrid-specific displays and functions. There's also a Dolby Atmos audio system with a 360º sound stage, an exclusive AMG Performance steering wheel with a twin-spoke design and all manner of driver assistance systems, including active steering assist, active blind spot assist and active distance assist. At a later stage, Mercedes will introduce Drive Pilot, a system that allows for conditionally automated driving (SAE level 3) at speeds of up to 60km/h. 

At the time of writing, Mercedes-AMG was yet to confirm local pricing and availability of the S 63 E Performance. However, we expect it to reach our shores sometime in 2023.