Affalterbach. The S-Class has always played an important role for Mercedes-AMG. More than 50 years ago, the founders already proved that they could transform a luxury saloon into a very sporty vehicle with the Swabian spirit of innovation. The performance and sports car brand from Affalterbach set its first milestone in 1971, with the Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.8 AMG. Today, the new Mercedes-AMG S 63 E PERFORMANCE with AMG hybrid technology once again sets the benchmark in the segment. The E PERFORMANCE model combines the AMG 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine with the AMG-specific hybrid powertrain and a new expansion stage of the AMG high-performance battery (HPB). The new HPB 150 is based on the high-performance and directly cooled battery cells of the well-known HPB 80. The energy content increases from 6.1 in the HPB 80 to 13.1 kWh in the HPB 150. This increases the all-electric range to 33 kilometres.
The focus of the powertrain, however, is less on electric range and more on best-in-class performance. With 590 kW of system output and 1,430 Nm of system torque, the saloon sets new standards in the segment. The acceleration of 3.3 seconds to 100 km/h and the optional top speed of 290 km/h underline the superior, dynamic driving performance. Systems such as the AMG RIDE CONTROL+ suspension, AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL roll stabilisation and rear-axle steering as standard ensure a wide spread between driving dynamics and comfort.
“The S-Class has always had a very special meaning for us. In 1971, it made the AMG brand famous overnight with its legendary appearance in the Spa 24-hour race. This was undoubtedly an important foundation stone for our rise as a performance and sports car brand with global significance. With E PERFORMANCE, we are now opening a new chapter: Never before has a luxury saloon so perfectly combined best-in-class performance with superior comfort and virtually silent electric driving. In this way, we are also opening up to highly discerning target groups who see Mercedes-AMG as the performance luxury brand of the 21st century. With the most powerful S-Class of all time, however, we are not only going our own technical way, as is characteristic of AMG, but also making a strong visual statement: For the first time, the S-Class Saloon also has our AMG-specific radiator grille, so the brand affiliation is closer than ever before.” – Philipp Schiemer, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-AMG GmbH
“With our unique E PERFORMANCE in the AMG S-Class, we are also setting another technological milestone in electrification in this segment. Our exclusive high-performance battery is used in the S 63 with a significantly higher capacity than previously known, which increases the electric range. The performance hybrid layout with a combustion engine at the front and an electric drive unit at the rear axle not only offers a superior driving experience, but also significantly increases efficiency. The optimised weight distribution, best possible utilisation of torque and the very responsive power delivery promise driving dynamics and driving refinement at the highest level. In addition to the technically sophisticated powertrain, we also pulled out all the stops with the suspension to achieve the greatest possible spread between comfort and driving dynamics. For example, the combination of air suspension, rear-axle steering and active roll stabilisation is on board for the first time in an AMG S-Class.” – Jochen Hermann, Technical General Manager of Mercedes-AMG GmbH
Expressive exterior design
The impressive performance of the Mercedes-AMG S 63 E PERFORMANCE is also suggested by the expressive exterior design. For the first time, an S-Class Saloon bears the AMG-specific radiator grille with vertical louvres and a large central star. The previous Mercedes star on the radiator has been replaced by the AMG emblem in silver chrome/black. In addition, the front apron in jet-wing design with large side air inlets and functional air curtains characterises the front view. In the side view, the up to 21-inch AMG forged wheels and the AMG-specific side sill panels particularly stand out. At the rear, there are characteristic design features of the ’63 models such as the trapezoidal, fluted twin tailpipes or the wide diffuser with longitudinal fins and diffuser board.
Elegant interior with First-Class rear compartment
The interior combines the high-quality appointments of the S-Class with AMG-specific features. The seats with a special AMG upholstery layout and distinctive stitching underline the refined appearance. Exclusive colours and various nappa leather upholsteries with an embossed AMG emblem in the front head restraints emphasise either the sporty or the luxurious side of the S 63 E PERFORMANCE. The leadership aspirations in the segment are also made clear by the First-Class rear compartment and multicontour seats for four occupants. Added to this are AMG-specific trim elements and the standard AMG Performance steering wheel with AMG steering wheel buttons.
MBUX multimedia system with hybrid-specific displays
The MBUX infotainment system includes various AMG- and hybrid-specific displays and functions. These include the displays in the instrument cluster, on the multimedia central display in portrait orientation in the centre console and the optional head-up display.
The instrument cluster view can be personalised with different display styles and individually selectable main views. The AMG-specific Supersport style offers the option of displaying various contents via a vertical menu structure. These include a menu with hybrid-specific temperatures or a set-up menu that displays the current settings for the suspension or transmission. In addition, Supersport-style drivers can also have a navigation map, fuel consumption data or all the telemetric data available in AMG TRACK PACE displayed.
The head-up display also offers AMG’s own display styles such as Race and Supersport. These can be accessed via the main menu in the instrument cluster. High-quality graphics in the multimedia display visualise the power flow of the entire drive system, speed, output, torque and temperature of the electric motor, as well as the battery temperature.
- The Dolby Atmos® sound format takes the interior audio experience to a new level. Individual instruments or voices in the studio mix can be positioned all around the listening area. A new kind of sound animation thus becomes possible: While conventional stereo systems feed two channels to the speakers, Dolby Atmos® can use the entire range and create a 360-degree experience.
AMG Performance steering wheel in twin-spoke design
The AMG Performance steering wheel with its distinctive twin-spoke design and seamlessly integrated gearshift buttons also contributes to the hallmark AMG look. The AMG steering wheel buttons impress with their brilliant displays and intuitive operating logic. They allow important driving functions and all driving modes to be controlled without the driver’s hands leaving the steering wheel. The recuperation levels of the hybrid drive can also be selected via the steering wheel buttons.
The AMG-specific E PERFORMANCE hybrid drive: combustion engine in the front, electric motor in the rear
In the new Mercedes-AMG S 63 E PERFORMANCE, the 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine is combined with a permanently excited synchronous electric motor, a high-performance battery developed in Affalterbach and the fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive system. The system output of 590 kW and the maximum system torque of 1430 Nm make for impressive driving performance: Acceleration from standstill to 100 km/h takes just 3.3 seconds. Power delivery only ends at an electronically governed 290 km/h (with the optional AMG Driver’s Package).
The 140 kW electric motor is positioned at the rear axle, where it is integrated with an electrically shifted two-speed transmission and the electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential to form a compact electric drive unit (EDU). Experts refer to this layout as a P3 hybrid. The high-performance battery is also located in the rear above the rear axle.
The decisive advantage of this EDU position is bypassing of the 9-speed transmission, which is flanged to the V8 engine. As it is positioned behind the transmission, the torque of both drive units can be fully utilised. The result: 1,430 Nm of system torque – a new record in this class. And there are many more arguments in favour of the P3 setup as a performance hybrid:
- The P3 concept makes it possible to boost electrically at full torque across the entire rpm range.
- The electric motor acts directly on the rear axle, and can therefore convert its power more directly into propulsion – for that extra boost when moving off, accelerating or overtaking.
- The inherent design of the electric motor means that its power can kick in straight away at full torque, making particularly agile starting possible.
- In addition, the driver immediately experiences a noticeable performance increase thanks to the integrated, electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential: the hybrid model accelerates out of bends with great agility.
- In the event of slip at the rear axle, the drive power from the combustion engine and electric motor is also transferred to the front wheels as required. This is made possible by mechanical connection of the fully variable all-wheel drive by means of the propshaft and drive shafts of the front wheels. It also makes it feasible to drive purely electrically with all-wheel drive.
- The positioning at the rear axle improves the weight and axle load distribution in the vehicle. This forms the basis for the compelling handling.
- The AMG concept offers very high recuperation efficiency, as the system allows only minimal mechanical and hydraulic losses from the engine and transmission. In the “Comfort” driving mode, the combustion engine can be specifically disconnected. This reduces drag torque when the driving situation permits.
- The two-speed transmission at the rear axle shifts automatically. With its specially tuned gear ratio, it ensures a combination of high wheel torque for agile starting and smooth, continuous performance at higher speeds. An electric actuator engages second gear at around 140 km/h at the latest, which corresponds to the electric motor’s maximum speed of around 13,500 rpm.
- With the increase in performance due to the additional electric motor, the development team was also able to improve the efficiency of the entire vehicle in parallel – and achieve lower emissions as well as lower consumption.
