2022 Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance: 620kW plug-in hybrid revealed

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance has been unveiled, with first Australian deliveries of the plug-in hybrid due in the second half of 2022.

Not only is the new GT 63 S E Performance the first plug-in hybrid model from Mercedes-AMG, it’s also the most powerful production car ever offered by the manufacturer.

As the performance arm of Mercedes-Benz, AMG has fitted the GT 63 S E Performance with a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, coupled with a 150kW electric motor powering the rear axle.

The result is a total combined output of 620kW of power and more than 1400Nm of torque.

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It’s enough to propel the four-door coupe to 100km/h from a standstill in a claimed 2.9 seconds – only bettered by the forthcoming AMG One hypercar – while the German carmaker lists a combined fuel consumption figure of 8.6L/100km. Combined emissions are 196 grams of CO2 per kilometre.

A 6.1kWh lithium-ion battery pack gives drivers up to 12 kilometres of zero-emissions driving range for speeds up to 130km/h (based on the WLTP test cycle) before the petrol engine engages.

AMG engineers worked closely with the company’s championship-winning Formula 1 team to create a light-weight battery pack, complete with direct liquid cooling for all 560 individual cells – a first for battery technology, AMG claims – allowing the system to power the electric motor repeatedly.

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While the V8 engine delivers 470kW through a nine-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels, the electric motor provides a continuous 70kW through a two-speed transmission to the rear axle – with 150kW of peak output available in 10-second bursts.

Charging the battery is done through regenerative braking, or via the GT 63’s on-board 3.7kW AC charger, which can be used with a home wallbox, standard electricity socket, or at a charging station – however, DC fast charging is not available.

The electric-only driving range of 12km is far less than most plug-in hybrid models (40-80km on average), but Mercedes-AMG says the battery “is designed for fast power delivery and draw, not for the longest possible range”.

It also means the GT 63 can be driven from the garage and out of a residential area silently before the V8 comes to life.

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As per the model’s recent upgrade, the new GT gets ceramic high-performance composite brakes, AMG Ride Control+ suspension, and the company’s MBUX infotainment system.

Drivers can adjust the vehicle’s set-up from the steering wheel, allowing changes to steering and suspension, throttle response, and exhaust volume, or they can choose from six preset driving modes and one customisable option.

Local pricing has yet to be announced for the new flagship AMG GT, but buyers should expect a hike above the current range-topping model, which is currently on sale for $363,576 before on-road costs.

First deliveries of the 2022 Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance are expected to arrive in the second-half of 2022.