MERCEDES-AMG has simply unveiled a brand new S63 hyper-limo with an eye-watering 590kW and 1430Nm from a hybrid V8 powertrain, however it’s unlikely to make it to Australia.
The native Benz outfit already has the luxurious, V12-powered S680 Maybach limousine ($574,000 earlier than on-road prices) promoting strongly within the S-Class line-up right here and Aussies wanting a performance-oriented S-Class are provided an all-electric choice.
A spokesperson for Mercedes in Australia instructed GoAuto: “We additionally promote the all-electric AMG EQS 53 ($328,400 + ORC) which has achieved 67 gross sales because it launched in mid-2022, and the AMG GT 4-Door coupe ($349,900 + ORC) as further selections for these wanting a high-performance luxurious sedan.”
It’s an fascinating flip of occasions contemplating Australia’s standing as a giant AMG market, to overlook out on a automobile with such prodigious outputs
Regardless of weighing in at round 2.5 tonnes, the brand new S63 performs like a supercar – no less than in a straight line – and is claimed to finish the 0-100km/h dash in an astonishing 3.3 seconds.
Pay further to derestrict the AMG S63 and it’ll run to a V-max of 290km/h, tantalisingly near becoming a member of the 300km/h membership. In a limousine!
If it was to make it Down Beneath, the AMG S63 can be up in opposition to two direct petrol-electric all-wheel drive hybrids in type of Porsche’s Panamera E Hybrid 4.0L Turbo S sedan at $433,500 + ORC and Audi’s S8 4.0 at $273,400 + ORC (albeit the latter is a light hybrid).
Quite a lot of all-electric or petrol fashions is also seen as rivals.
Not way back, a automobile with 375kW (500hp) was thought-about to be high-powered however the arms race has intensified of late with the arrival of electrification, with Mercedes-AMG proper within the thick of it.
It’s possible to match the massive AMG S63 sedan’s prodigious grunt with a first-rate mover that has to haul 50 tonnes on a B-Double trailer with round 450kW and 2200Nm.
That is the most recent Benz to get hybrid petrol-electric energy and follows an identical components because the smaller AMG C63 in utilizing a turbocharged petrol engine up entrance mixed with a two-speed electrical increase motor aiding on the rear axle driving via a 9 pace multi-clutch transmission.
However the AMG S63 doesn’t go by half measures because it incorporates a 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 up entrance that’s twice the dimensions of the potent C63’s 4 cylinder.
AMG has been producing efficiency S-Class variants for many years, ratcheting up efficiency alongside the best way – however the S63 E-Efficiency mannequin simply unveiled takes all that to the subsequent degree.
Know-how derived from F1 race vehicles is used within the power-dense battery with four-mode regenerative braking that incorporates a new ‘enlargement stage’ of AMG’s high-performance battery (HPB).
AMG’s new HPB 150 is predicated on the high-performance and straight cooled battery cells of the sooner HPB 80. Vitality content material will increase from 6.1kWh within the HPB 80 to 13.1 kWh within the HPB 150, giving the S63 an all-electric vary of 33km.
However AMG says the powertrain’s focus is much less on electrical vary and extra on efficiency, as underlined by the automobile’s acceleration and high pace functionality.
In addition to outright pace, AMG which bestows the S63 with seven driving modes and complicated expertise to manage dynamics akin to AMG Journey Management + suspension, AMG Energetic Journey Management roll stabilisation and rear-axle steering as normal to make sure the automobile covers off a large unfold of driving dynamics and luxury.
Within the appears to be like division, the AMG S63 features for the primary time, the AMG-specific radiator grille with vertical louvres and a big central star, with the earlier Mercedes star on the bonnet changed by the AMG emblem in silver chrome/black.
The entrance apron is in a stylised jet-wing design with giant facet air inlets and useful air curtains, whereas from the facet view, AMG cast wheels – obtainable in sizes as much as 21 inches – and the AMG-specific facet sill panels stand out.
On the rear, there are attribute design options of the opposite ‘63’ fashions such because the trapezoidal, fluted twin tailpipes and vast diffuser with longitudinal fins and diffuser board.
The inside combines S-Class plush with AMG-specific options akin to a sports activities steering wheel and particular AMG Nappa upholstery with distinctive stitching and embossed AMG emblems within the entrance head restraints.
Rear-seat passengers journey in what AMG describes as “First Class” consolation with multi-contour absolutely adjustable seats.
Different inside options within the AMG S63 embody a devoted model of the MBUX infotainment system and high-end Dolby Atmos audio together with the anticipated suite of accoutrements obtainable at this value level.
Mercedes-AMG chair Philipp Schiemer mentioned: “The S-Class has all the time had a really particular that means for us. In 1971, it made the AMG model well-known in a single day with its legendary look within the Spa 24-hour race.
“This was undoubtedly an necessary basis stone for our rise as a efficiency and sports activities automobile model with international significance. With E Efficiency, we are actually opening a brand new chapter: By no means earlier than has a luxurious saloon so completely mixed best-in-class efficiency with superior consolation and nearly silent electrical driving.
“On this approach, we’re additionally opening as much as extremely discerning goal teams who see Mercedes-AMG because the efficiency luxurious model of the twenty first century. With probably the most highly effective S-Class of all time we’re not solely going our personal technical approach, but in addition making a powerful visible assertion: For the primary time, the S-Class Saloon additionally has our AMG-specific radiator grille, so the model affiliation is nearer than ever earlier than.”
Mercedes-AMG technical normal supervisor Jochen Hermann mentioned: “With our distinctive E Efficiency within the AMG S63, we’re additionally setting one other technological milestone in electrification on this phase. Our unique high-performance battery is used within the S63 with a considerably greater capability than beforehand recognized, which will increase the electrical vary.
“The efficiency hybrid format with a combustion engine on the entrance and an electrical drive unit on the rear axle not solely provides a superior driving expertise, but in addition considerably will increase effectivity.
“The optimised weight distribution, absolute best utilisation of torque and the very responsive energy supply promise driving dynamics and driving refinement on the highest degree.
“Along with the technically refined powertrain, we additionally pulled out all of the stops with the suspension to attain the best doable unfold between consolation and driving dynamics. For instance, the mixture of air suspension, rear-axle steering and lively roll stabilisation is on board for the primary time in an AMG S-Class, he mentioned.”
