Mercedes-AMG has kick-started its electrified era by launching the new GT 63 S E Performance 4-Door Coupé as an 831bhp mega-saloon to rival the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid.
Available to order now from £173,655 ahead of customer deliveries beginning in April, AMG's first plug-in hybrid model is also its most powerful – eclipsing the GT Black Series's output by 111bhp.
Based on the V8-powered GT 63 S 4-Door Coupé, it supplements the reserves of the twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre petrol engine with a 201bhp electric motor on the rear axle in a new arrangement referred to as the P3 drive system. Derived from the hybrid drivetrain of Mercedes-AMG's Formula 1 racer, it's said to give optimised weight distribution and the quickest possible deployment of torque.
With more power on tap than any AMG model yet produced and up to 1084lb ft of torque, it will clear the 0-62mph sprint in just 2.9sec and top out at 196mph - effectively matching the smaller and more track-focused GT Black Series two-door launched last year for outright pace.
The electric motor takes its power from a 6.1kWh, 400V battery pack. Claimed to weigh just 89kg, this was “designed for fast power delivery and draw, not for the longest possible range”.
Mercedes claims the new PHEV will manage 7.5 miles of EV running per charge, with the electric motor capable of handling propulsion alone at speeds of up to 81mph. The powertrain is good for 35.8mpg on the WLTP combined cycle while emitting 180g/km of CO2.
Electric power is said to be "always available", enabling quicker acceleration out of corners or rapid overtaking manoeuvres.
Regenerative braking features with four levels of severity, enabling one-pedal driving in certain driving situations.
The E Performance comes with AMG's Ride Control+ adaptive suspension package, which can adjust "the damping force for each wheel to suit the situation in just a few milliseconds", and an agility-enhancing dynamics control system which controls settings for the 4WD system, limited-slip differential and ESP. Ceramic brakes are also fitted as standard.
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What I like most about it is that from the front (first picture) it looks almost exactly like a £40k A Class. Very egalitarian.
So when the battery charge is used up - which would probably be less than the claimed 7.5 miles in real world driving conditions, i.e. more like a 4 to 5 mile range - then will the combustion engine be dragging an extra 89kg all over the place?
It'll actually be alot more than 89kg, there's the wiring, beefier electric motor etc. How else do they get the weight up to 2400kg'ish
Just found out via evo, it's 260kg heavier than the standard GT 63 S.
No wonder they wound up the power on this lard arse to over 830hp!
I wonder if Mercedes (& other makes for that matter) are getting just a little too carried away with straight line speed bragging rights, with these ridiculous power outputs - needed to overcome equally ridiculous weight/size - rather than focusing on overall driving pleasure and dynamics of their perfomance cars.
These phev's are less green than a pure ICE, end of.