Mercedes-AMG rolls out GT63 S E plug-in, with 1470Nm!

September 1, 2021October 6, 2021 EV Central team 3682 Views

Meet the Mercedes-Benz AMG GT63 S E Performance.

As the hoon-meister division of Mercedes-Benz, AMG has revealed details and images of its most powerful road car ever and first plug-in hybrid ahead of the launch at the Munich motor show next week and an Australian on-sale in the second half of 2022.

When it does arrive in Australia the Mercedes-AMG GT63 S E Performance four-door coupe will set a new price benchmark for the current GT family of two- and four-door sports cars, which is currently about $370,000 plus on-road costs.

The GT63 S E is one of five electrified world debuts planned by the Mercedes-Benz in Munich, including the battery electric AMG saloon based on the EQS.

With AMG GT’s signature 470kW/900Nm 4.0-litre biturbo V8 boosted by a 150kW/320Nm electric motor integrated with a two-speed gearbox and limited slip differential onto the rear axle, the GT63S E makes a system output of 620kW and as much as 1470Nm! It puts the minimum system torque output at a mere 1010Nm…

There’s also a 6.1kWh lithium-ion battery for some short EV-only driving.

The most obvious rival for the GT63 S E is the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid, which makes 514kW and 870Nm, 100kW of which comes from an electric motor.

Mercedes-AMG says the tech in the four-door coupe, which was widely tipped to wear the 73 badge, draws on the company’s world championship winning experience in Formula 1 motor racing.

Specifically, the battery is designed for fast power delivery and draw for instant acceleration. The EV gubbins mounted on the rear axle also aid handling via improved weight distribution.

“The layout with the combustion engine at the front and Electric Drive Unit on the rear axle offers numerous advantages. The optimised weight distribution, best possible utilisation of torque and the very fast power delivery promise driving dynamics at the highest level,” explained AMG Chief Technical Officer Jochen Hermann.

“Added to this is the high-performance battery developed in-house, which has twice the power density of conventional drive batteries and, like many other components, is inspired by technology from Formula 1″.

2022 Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E plug-in hybrid — 2022 Mercedes-AMG GT63 S E plug-in hybrid

Driving via a nine-speed torque converter automatic and fully variable AMG 4Matic+ mechanical all-wheel drive (with drift mode, of course), the GT63 S E is claimed to reach100km/h in 2.9 sec, 200km/h in less than 10 seconds and a top speed of 316km/h.

Those numbers are impressive, but so is the 8.6L/100km WLTP fuel consumption claim. That equates to CO2 emissions of 196g/km and weighted power consumption of 10.3kWh/100km.

Mind you, the GT63 S E can only travel 12km on pure electric power, reflecting its focus on acceleration over economy. The light-weight 89kg 400V battery produces a sustained 70kW and up to 150kW in peak 10 second bursts, hence the ridiculous peak torque.

Recharging is via four-stage regeneration, a 3.7kW onboard charger or external sources such as a wallbox.

2022 Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E plug-in hybrid engine bay — 2022 Mercedes-AMG GT63 S E plug-in hybrid engine bay… there’s a twin turbo V8 up front and a 150kW electric motor at the rear

AMG claims a power density of 1.7kW/kg for the battery aided by direct cooling of the individual cells. It says this is a first and doubles density compared to traditional battery cooling tech because it keeps the cells constantly in the optimal range around 45 degrees.

It also claims this system ensures there is no performance drop-off during sustained high-performance driving.

E-motor power is applied initially to the rear axle, but is shipped forward as rear slip is detected. The automated two-speed transmission at the rear axle is designed to ensure torque spread for starting to safe continuous output at higher speeds. An electric actuator engages second gear at around 140km/h at the latest, which corresponds to the electric motor’s maximum speed of around 13,500rpm.

Distinctive design features that separate the GT63 S E from the orthodox GT four-door coupes such as the V8-only GT63 S, include a front apron borrowed from the GT two-door. There are wider outer air intakes and three vertical fins that channel airflow to the wheel arch coolers. The rear apron includes a plug-in charging flap and externally fluted trapezoidal twin exhaust tailpipes

Standard equipment includes AMG Ride Control suspension with a new damping system, ceramic high-performance composite brakes and the MBUX multimedia system with special hybrid displays including electric range, power consumption, output and torque of the electric motor and the temperatures of the battery and electric motor.

Energy flow information is also available to rear-seat passengers via an optional multimedia display.

The AMG dynamic select adds Electric mode to the usual Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Race, Slippery and Individual choices.

In Electric mode all-electric driving is available from standstill up to 130km/h, with the combustion engine always switched off. When the battery has run down or the driver requests more power, the intelligent operating control automatically switches to the Comfort driving mode and the combustion engine starts up to provide propulsion.

Benz’s Munich display will happen just weeks after it revealed a ramp-up of its transition to an electric future, committing to a pure EV line-up “where market conditions allow” by 2030.