2023 Mercedes-AMG S63 E Performance is a 791-HP PHEV Super Limo

The new AMG S-Class is the most powerful of its kind, ever.

Don’t wave goodbye to the thunderous AMG V8 quite yet. While Mercedes’ in-house tuning arm is extracting big numbers from a little four-cylinder in the latest C63, on Monday evening the brand debuted the 2023 Mercedes-AMG S63 E Performance. The big four-door continues to use a turbocharged 4.0-liter bent-eight, but now pairs it with a compact electric motor, for an autobahn-storming 791 horsepower … and 1,055 pound-feet of torque. Yes, you read that right.

Affalterbach’s 4.0-liter dino-juice-drinker is a known quantity. What’s new here is AMG’s HPB (high performance battery) 150. This liquid-cooled 13.1-kWh unit is over double the capacity of the one in the C63, dubbed HPB 80. Like that model, the 150 has been designed from the outset with performance as the first concern, and range a distant second. Quick charging and discharging is the name of the game here, with Mercedes promising a responsive drive. The battery feeds an 188-horsepower engine, which hangs out on the rear axle along with a two-speed transmission and electronic limited-slip differential.

All-wheel drive is standard, with the tried-and-true nine-speed auto hooking up to the V8. However, the system is also capable of shuffling power forwards, which means that the S63 can function as an AWD electric car. Probably not for very long, given the size of that battery and the weight of the car. But some is better than none.

This new era of plug-in power at AMG makes for a few other dynamic changes as well. There are now no less than seven selectable drive modes, with Electric and Battery Hold being two stand-outs. As the names suggest, the former keeps the V8 off, while the latter balances battery use to maintain the current state of charge.

There’s all manner of active or adaptive tech lurking under the skin of the S63. AMG’s air suspension with adaptive damping is standard, which the company says has been tuned for a wider range of characteristics between Comfort and Sport+ modes. Active roll stabilization is onboard too, electric instead of hydraulic for quicker response times and lower weight. Variable-ratio steering offers drivers three levels of assistance, while the rear-axle steering of the regular S-Class has been tweaked for AMG duty. Depending on the selected drive mode, the rear axle can steer in the opposite direction of the fronts to the tune of 2.5 degrees, up to 62 mph (100 km/h). At high speeds, the suspension will automatically drop the S63 0.4 inches (10 mm).

Fittingly, the most powerful S-Class ever doesn’t skimp on brakes. There are enormous 15.75-inch front rotors, with six-piston calipers clamping down. The rear discs are around 15.0 inches, featuring single-piston floating calipers.

AMG has treated the S63 to its usual round of styling cues, including unique bumpers and sills, a larger diffuser setup, and quad exhaust tips. For the first time on an S-Class, the AMG model features a vertical-slat grille. The three-pointed star stays on the grille, while an AMG badge replaces the smaller one on the hood.

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There are similarly subtle changes inside, with unique AMG seats and steering wheel featuring contrast stitching. There are S63-exclusive interior colors and materials rounding up the upgrade, as well.

Of course, as this is still an S-Class, it’s loaded to the gills with modern tech. There’s a robust safety assist suite that previews what will be in the rest of cars in a decade from now. A head-up display is available, and it and the instrument cluster include AMG-specific menus and displays.

Mercedes hasn’t talked availability nor pricing. We expect the 2023 Mercedes-AMG S63 E Performance to start at least around $170,000 US, and well north of $200,000 in the Great White North. We should find out in the new year.

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