New 600kW Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance hybrid hits 100km/h quicker than you can say its name
Forget the multi-million-dollar Mercedes-AMG ONE hypercar and its real F1 engine because if you’re looking for the quickest Benz of all time you’ll need the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance that will arrive in Australia in the first half of 2025.
That’s because, thanks to its wild plug-in hybrid twin-turbo V8 powertrain it can launch from 0-100km/h in just 2.8 seconds – a cool 0.1sec quicker than the 782kW ONE – and at a fraction of its price.
Not that the expected price of around $425,000 (plus ORCs) is exactly a snip.
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The secret to its astonishing thrust is the latest all-new two-door coupe adopts the same advanced plug-in hybrid powertrain that powers not only the four-door AMG GT 63 S E Performance but also the drop top SL 63 S E Performance.
Blending Mercedes-AMG’s twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8, that alone produces 450kW, a punchy 150kW motor that drives the rear axle, a small 6.1kWh battery, a nine-speed auto and AMG’s advanced 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive produces 600kW and a devastating 1420Nm of torque.
That’s easily enough might to usurp many hypercars but perhaps not the new breed EVs like the 815kW Porsche Taycan Turbo GT that can go even quicker (0-100km/h in 2.2sec).
Where the thoroughbred AMG ONE hypercar does claw back an advantage is when it comes to top speed, topping out at an impressive 352km/h, compared to the lowly 320km/h the plug-in hybrid-powered AMG GT can only manage.
Like other 63 S E Performance models powered by the same V8 PHEV, the 6.1kWh battery provides not only a big power boost but can also drive the two-door AMG on pure-electric power alone for up to 13km.
On the move there’s four-stage regenerative braking that ensures the battery is topped-up.
Plug it in and the Ferrari 812 Superfast rival can be topped up at rate of up to 3.7kW using a domestic charger.
Boosting real-world efficiency, the AMG GT defaults to EV mode at start-up. But if that’s too quiet, you can program a raucous but fake thunderous exhaust to be played through the sound system.
Saving more fuel around town the AMG GT also only runs one bank of four-cylinders. But even with half an engine it still produces 310kW.
Like the core AMG GT, the latest high-performance variant comes with the Benz’s 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive that can shuffle torque from either the combustion engine or electric motor to either axle and also decouple the front axle for a smoky tyre-shredding drift mode.
Despite being the flagship of new coupe range, the AMG GT 63 S E Performance looks almost identical to the standard GT, aside from red badging, aero-optimised 20-inch wheels (21s are optional) and a tell-tale new charging port in the rear bumper.
Finally, the AMG GT 63 S E Performance comes with an extended range of colours and trim to help owners personalise and make their coupe completely bespoke.
Other changes include upsized carbon-ceramic brake discs (420mm front, 380mm rear), AMG’s active ride control and rear-wheel steering as standard.
On sale in Q4 of 2024 it’s thought Australian deliveries of the quickest-ever Benz will begin in the first half of 2025.
Mercedes-Benz has yet to announce full pricing for the second-generation Mercedes-AMG GT line-up but it’s rumoured the range will kick off at around $375,000 (plus on-roads) with the new 63 S E Performance variant adding a cool $50,000 premium on top of the base car.
