The new Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E PERFORMANCE has officially landed on South African soil – and with it, a new benchmark in hybrid performance has been set. As the most powerful series production model from Affalterbach, this flagship coupé combines cutting-edge electrification with signature AMG muscle, setting the stage for a new era of performance motoring.
With a total system output of 600 kW and a colossal 1,420 Nm of torque, the AMG GT 63 S E PERFORMANCE boasts the fastest acceleration ever achieved by an AMG series model. Sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.8 seconds, it’s a machine engineered for unrelenting power, razor-sharp precision and technological brilliance.
Simola Superstar: A Victorious Debut
The AMG GT 63 S E PERFORMANCE wasted no time in showcasing its formidable capabilities on local soil. At the 15th anniversary of the Knysna Simola Hillclimb, the coupé stormed to victory in the “King of the Hill” category for road and supercars, with Clint Weston commanding the wheel.
Its prowess didn’t stop there. In independent testing at Gerotek, veteran motoring journalist Mark Jones – with over 25 years of experience – clocked the 0-100 km/h sprint in line with factory claims, declaring it the fastest accelerating standard production car he has ever evaluated. In a landscape filled with automotive milestones, the GT 63 S E PERFORMANCE has etched its name in local motoring history.
F1-Inspired Hybrid Performance, AMG Execution
At the core of the AMG GT 63 S E PERFORMANCE lies a revolutionary hybrid drivetrain: a handcrafted 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine up front, paired with an electric motor on the rear axle. The result is instantaneous response, relentless power delivery, and the kind of throttle precision once reserved for motorsport.
The hybrid architecture mirrors that of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula 1™ Team, where performance and efficiency co-exist without compromise. With a 150 kW electric motor integrated with a two-speed transmission and limited-slip differential on the rear axle, the system delivers power exactly where and when it’s needed most – be it rapid acceleration, high-speed stability or corner-exiting torque.
AMG High-Performance Battery: Race-Bred Innovation
Powering the electric component is the AMG High-Performance Battery – a 400-volt system developed in Affalterbach and derived directly from Formula 1™ technology. With a 6.1 kWh capacity and 150 kW of peak output, it’s designed not for long electric range, but for instant power delivery, rapid energy draw and fast recuperation.
What sets it apart is its direct cell cooling: each of the 560 battery cells is individually cooled with a non-flammable, high-capacity liquid coolant, ensuring optimal performance regardless of thermal load. This not only guarantees consistently high output but also contributes to the vehicle’s impressive longevity and safety.
Performance You Can Dial In: AMG DYNAMIC SELECT
Driving the GT 63 S E PERFORMANCE is as versatile as it is exhilarating. Eight AMG DYNAMIC SELECT modes – including “Electric”, “Battery Hold”, “Comfort”, “Sport”, “Sport+”, “RACE”, “Individual” and “Slippery” – allow the driver to tailor everything from throttle response and suspension damping to regenerative braking and acoustic feedback.
In Comfort mode, the hybrid coupé starts silently in “Silent Mode”, but a purposeful AMG growl can be summoned on command. For ultimate control, four levels of regenerative braking are available, with up to 100 kW of energy fed back into the battery. One-pedal driving is entirely possible in higher modes, and the brake system remains largely unbothered during everyday deceleration.
Technology Meets Control: Suspension, Brakes, and Aerodynamics
Beneath the sculpted bodywork lies a suite of intelligent systems that sharpen every input. AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL suspension with semi-active hydraulic roll stabilisation ensures the perfect blend of composure and comfort. The system actively counters body roll in corners and smooths out one-sided road imperfections, maintaining cabin poise even in demanding conditions.
Complementing the suspension is active rear-axle steering, which delivers increased agility at lower speeds and heightened stability at higher ones. This engineering duality allows the large coupé to feel nimble through tight urban spaces and utterly planted on high-speed stretches.
Stopping power is supplied by the AMG ceramic high-performance composite brake system. Bronze-finished six-piston calipers up front clamp down on 420 mm carbon-ceramic discs, with similarly robust stoppers at the rear. Built for track use and daily driving alike, the system delivers fade-resistant, consistent braking with reduced unsprung mass.
Sculpted for Speed: Form Meets Function
Visually, the GT 63 S E PERFORMANCE communicates its potency through purposeful cues. An active aerodynamic profile beneath the front end – a patented AMG innovation – deploys at 80 km/h to create a Venturi effect, increasing downforce and enhancing front-end grip. A seamlessly integrated rear spoiler adapts to driving conditions across five angles, either maximising stability or minimising drag as needed.
The combination of form, function, and fury makes the GT 63 S E PERFORMANCE not just the new flagship of the AMG GT range, but a genuine milestone in the evolution of high-performance motoring.
A New Era of AMG Excellence
With its electrified muscle, race-derived battery technology, and record-breaking performance credentials, the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E PERFORMANCE is far more than just a fast car – it’s a statement. A statement of engineering mastery, of what happens when the worlds of motorsport and luxury collide, and of AMG’s uncompromising vision for the future of performance.
Now available in South Africa, it arrives not just with power, but with pedigree. And it’s ready to change the rules.
