Not 5 minutes into my drive of the 2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG S 63 E Efficiency, the automotive has determined I have to loosen up. Perhaps I’m tense about tapping into all 791 hp from this plug-in hybrid powertrain…or making the most of the efficiency suspension to slice via these roads within the Santa Monica Mountains…or deserving the belief afforded me to pilot a automotive with a sticker value that may definitely prime $150,000.

The S 63 E Efficiency could be the most technologically superior automotive that has ever hit the market. The S-Class has usually held that mantle, however turning the S 63 E right into a plug-in hybrid by incorporating expertise born of Method 1 takes it to the subsequent step. It doesn’t simply use the hybrid system to chase effectivity. It additionally goals at efficiency whereas sustaining an air of civility. Basically, the S 63’s new tech is supposed to assist a automotive that does nearly all the pieces effectively add just a few extra bullets to its holster.

2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG S 63 E Efficiency

2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG S 63 E Efficiency

2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG S 63 E Efficiency

Mercedes-Benz AMG S 63 E Efficiency: Hybrid energy dealer

The engine makes the identical energy because it did within the final S 63, which was final supplied in 2020 as a sedan and 2021 as a coupe. It’s a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 that huffs out 603 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired with the identical 9-speed automated transmission with a moist clutch as an alternative of a torque converter. By itself, this combo launched the 2020 S 63 from 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds.

An AMG grille with vertical slats, a novel entrance bumper with bigger airlets feed extra air to the engine than in different S-Lessons. The S 63 additionally has a spherical AMG emblem on the hood as an alternative of a standing star decoration, cast wheels, AMG aspect skirts, and a rear diffuser. 

The engine is simply a part of the brand new powertrain. Like within the 2024 Mercedes-Benz C 63 S E Efficiency, an electrical motor sits on the rear axle the place it’s teamed with a 2-speed transmission and a limited-slip differential in a single drive unit. The electrical motor can add 188 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque to deliver the totals to 791 hp and 1,018 lb-ft. A 13.1-kwh lithium-ion battery can be mounted within the flooring above the rear axle. Utilizing expertise from the Mercedes F1 program, it consists of 1,200 liquid-cooled cells which are stabilized at 113 F so the battery can present repeated pictures of vitality to the motor.

The powertrain doesn’t all the time make full energy, however then once more drivers not often use full energy. The complete 188 hp from the motor is all the time out there for as much as 10 seconds at a time every time the driving force pins the throttle, however the motor lends a peak 38 hp in Consolation mode and 94 hp in Sport mode.

The S 63 could have supercar energy, but it surely doesn’t hit like a supercar. At its core, the massive Benz is a really civilized luxurious automotive in any case. Consolation mode offers a clean throttle pedal, although with out the laziness from the throttle and transmission that characterizes different S-Class fashions. Sport mode livens the reactions and Sport+ places them on excessive alert. Irrespective of the mode, when the engine is on, it rumbles reassuringly within the background, solely howling once I mash the throttle.

Sport+ additionally allows a launch management perform known as Race Begin. It’s straightforward to make use of: Merely come to a cease, apply the brake and throttle on the identical time, then let off the brake.

It attempt it out at a cease signal on an deserted stretch of canyon highway. The V-8 lets out a sequence of staccato barks because it runs up towards a rev limiter, and on this case the S 63 does launch like a supercar. Energy comes on so exhausting that the rear finish wiggles and the 0-60 mph run flashes by in a scant 3.2 seconds, in line with each Mercedes and my butt dyno.  The 9-speed automated cracks via the gears and the automotive tops out at an electronically restricted 155 mph.

On the different finish of the spectrum, I check out the default EL, or Electrical mode, which is accompanied by an artificial spaceship-like whirr. The motor has energy sufficient to get the automotive underway and as much as freeway speeds with out turning on the engine. It switches to Consolation’s hybrid mode when accelerating too exhausting, topping 87 mph, or pushing previous a detent close to the tip of the throttle pedal journey.

2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG S 63 E Efficiency

All through my day within the S 63 E Efficiency, the battery cost pinballs up and down. EL saps the cost and Sport+ makes use of the brake regeneration and engine to cost it again up. An preliminary drive in EL mode drops the battery cost from full to 41%, however a number of miles in Sport+ push it again as much as 71%. Later, EL mode drops it to 25%, at which level the powertrain switches on and the automotive modifications to Consolation mode, however extra miles in Sport+ deliver it again as much as the mid 40s by the tip of the day.

In any driving mode, drivers can select from 4 ranges of brake regeneration, from 0 to three. The automotive freewheels within the 0 setting, whereas 1 offers a really feel like engine braking with an automated transmission. Stage 2 has stronger regen, and three offers what Mercedes calls one-pedal driving.

For many of my drive, I don’t even discover what regen setting I’m in as a result of this seems like a gas-powered automotive. Later, I uncover that the regen settings are chosen via the drive mode dial on the proper aspect of the steering wheel. I attempt them out and discover that Stage 3 permits principally one-pedal driving, however I’m not assured about coming to a full cease and discover myself utilizing the brake pedal. It doesn’t matter as a result of one-pedal driving feels fallacious with the V-8 purr within the background, so I swap again to Stage 1.

I by no means make a full vary run in EL mode, however count on the EPA determine to return in at about 15 miles of electrical vary. Mercedes says the S 63 E Efficiency can cost from 25-100% in 3.25 hours on a Stage 2 outlet or 7 hours on a Stage 1 outlet via its 3.7 kw onboard charger..

2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG S 63 E Efficiency

2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG S 63 E Efficiency

2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG S 63 E Efficiency

2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG S 63 E Efficiency

Mercedes-Benz AMG S 63 E Efficiency: Wrangles its mass

The plug-in hybrid powertrain provides 450 kilos or extra to an already heavy automotive, bringing the entire to a minimum of 5,700 kilos (that’s the European spec, and U.S. vehicles ought to weigh extra due to further gear). Nonetheless, Mercedes-AMG throws all the pieces it may well on the S 63 to manage its mass and make it sportier. Like different S-Class fashions, it comes with a three-chamber air suspension and adjustable dampers. It additionally will get lively anti-roll bars managed by a 48-volt system, lively engine mounts, and rear-wheel steering.

Firm engineers additionally strengthened the physique construction. Up entrance, they added an aluminum stabilizer bar beneath the engine and a suspension cross brace up prime to enhance torsional stiffness. Out again, they added aluminum struts in a diagonal structure throughout the underbody. The struts workforce with the battery and its fiber-reinforced plastic compartment to additionally enhance physique rigidity. When of their stiffer mode, the lively engine mounts have the identical impact.

Regardless of its weight, the S 63 E Efficiency is extra managed than different S-Lessons. At 210.1 inches lengthy, the S 63 carves out a big presence on the highway, but it surely drives smaller than that. The rear-wheel steering helps it minimize sharp corners tighter and maneuver extra simply in parking tons. The lively anti-roll bars and firmer settings for the air springs and dampers restrict physique lean, whereas lively bolsters assist hold entrance seat occupants in place in turns. Fast, direct, gentle steering makes all of it really feel very manageable. It’s no sport sedan and it’s not as sporty because the 2023 BMW 7-Collection, however the S 63 E Efficiency positive factors some welcome physique management that lesser S-Lessons lack.

The dealing with could be aided by the drive modes. The dampers and air suspension react via three ranges of firmness in Consolation, Sport, and Sport+ modes, with sharper reactions the upper you go up the dimensions. Fortunately, not one of the modes disrupts the S-Class’s famously clean experience high quality, even on the out there 255/30R21 entrance and 285/35R21 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires (20-inch wheels with equally staggered tires come commonplace). The baseline is definitely firmer than different S fashions, but it surely’s fairly comfy and highway imperfections solely have the prospect to disrupt consolation in Sport+.

These so inclined can even select from Fundamental, Superior, and Professional stability management modes to tighten up or unlock the digital nannies. If you happen to’re driving this huge beast exhausting sufficient to want Professional mode, you’re both knowledgeable stunt driver or insane.

Huge brakes arrest the S 63’s momentum. Up entrance, 15.7-inch rotors are clamped down upon by 6-piston calipers. On the rear, single-piston calipers pinch 15.0-inch rotors. On these mountain roads the brakes show robust with a pure pedal really feel as an alternative of the numb really feel in Mercedes’ electrical vehicles.

2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG S 63 E Efficiency

2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG S 63 E Efficiency

2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG S 63 E Efficiency

Mercedes-Benz AMG S 63 E Efficiency: Quiet consolation

Along with its managed character, piloting the plug-in hybrid S 63 is a pleasure because of its cabin, which blends mature consolation with sporty touches and leading edge expertise. The sporty bits embody a smaller twin-spoke steering wheel with paddle shifters, AMG nappa upholstery and symbols on the seats, a Supersport theme for the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Race and Supersport choices for the head-up show, and entry to the AMG Observe Tempo app that acts as telemetry and a driving coach on choose tracks all over the world.

The usual 12.8-inch portrait-style touchscreen additionally has a number of screens to indicate hybrid and efficiency shows, a few of which mix. The efficiency-based screens are Vitality Movement, which reveals the place the facility is coming from in addition to the state of the battery cost, and a Consumption display with a graph of consumption in 30- and 90-minute intervals, in addition to a three-hour interval.

Efficiency could be monitored via a Drive display that reveals engine and motor rpm and torque in actual time, a Car display that reveals the motion of the dampers and the angle of steering entrance and rear, and an Engine display with real-time hp and torque figures, in addition to a pair of further gauges.

I discover it enjoyable and informative to observe the Drive, Car, and Engine screens to see the place the facility is coming from, how a lot energy is getting used, and what the rear wheels are doing at varied speeds. The rear wheels can flip as much as 2.5 levels reverse of the fronts, however that’s solely at parking zone speeds. On these twisty roads, they flip solely a couple of half a level reverse of the fronts at 40 mph and solely a tenth or two-tenths of a level up close to the 62-mph inflection level at which they flip with the entrance wheels to enhance stability.

Mercedes masses up the S 63 with luxurious options as effectively, together with a Burmester audio system with Dolby Atmos encompass sound, wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 64-color ambient lighting, and multi-contour entrance seats with heating, cooling, and therapeutic massage. The seats are a part of that aforementioned leisure program known as Energizing Consolation, which additionally incorporates audio and lighting parts to assist clean me out.

2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG S 63 E Efficiency

Prefer it all the time has, the S 63’s tech extends to security options. They embody adaptive cruise management, lively lane management, automated emergency braking with a cross-path perform, blind-spot screens that steer away from potential collisions, automated lane modifications, traffic-sign recognition, and a driver-attention monitor.

All of it provides as much as a technological tour de drive that makes use of its tech to enhance dealing with, energy, consolation, security, and connectivity. It’s going to additionally, undoubtedly, come at a surprising value. Count on a minimum of just a few thousand greater than the $152,995 of the final S 63. For that cash, you’ll get a automotive that may do nearly all the pieces effectively, even deciding when you should loosen up.

Mercedes-Benz paid for journey and lodging for Motor Authority to deliver you this firsthand report.