AMG’s most powerful ever car comes with a PHEV powertrain

Mercedes-AMG has started selling the most powerful model it has ever released. Sporting over 800bhp, enough torque to reverse the direction of the earth’s rotation and a sky-high price tag, the AMG GT 63 S E Performance is also a PHEV, albeit one with very limited range.

If you have very deep pockets and the desire for a car that has more power than you could ever deploy for more than a couple of seconds on the road, AMG’s latest offering could be the car for you.

Called the AMG GT 62 S E Performance (which doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue), it is an electrified version of the standard V8 GT which augments the already brawny 630bhp biturbo V8 with a 201bhp electric motor. It’s the flagship in the AMG range and, if you really put your mind to it, could be considered almost sensible thanks to the fact it’s a four-door which can manage around 35mpg on the official test.

Powertrain and performance

You’ll have probably gleaned from the intro that the GT 63 S E isn’t lacking on the power front. Up front is AMG’s 4.0-litre biturbo V8 which is helped out by a 201bhp electric motor and battery on the rear axle. The total system power stands at 831bhp and torque at a frankly colossal 1084lb-ft, all of which is distributed to the road by Merc’s 4MATIC all-wheel drive system and a nine-speed gearbox.

Performance is, as you might expect, strong. Despite the car’s 2380kg kerb weight, it’ll hit 62mph in 2.9 seconds and 124mph in ten seconds. Top speed stands at 196mph.

Whilst the GT 63 is a PHEV, the electric side of things is very much there to help with performance rather than being a useable alternative to running on petrol all the time. The 6.1kWh battery pack enables the car to travel just 7.5 miles on electricity, which is better than a kick in the teeth. It also serves to bring emissions down to 180g/km and fuel consumption up to 35.8mpg on the WLTP test.

Tech and equipment

Much of Mercedes’ spiel about the GT 63 S E Performance focuses, unsurprisingly, on the means by which it deploys its prodigious power. Standard equipment includes AMG Ride Control+ suspension which adjusts damping on each corner within a fraction of a second. AMG Dynamic Select also has pre-set suspension modes.

AMG Dynamics deals with how power is deployed and alters the stability intervention, 4MATIC all-wheel drive, and rear limited-slip diff ferocity. A drift mode enables drivers to do things to the (expensive) tyres that they really ought not. Various packages are available depending on how owners want to make their car look, including an AMG Night Package which adds dark details to the exterior, or AMG Aerodynamics Package which adds aero features.

A panoramic glass roof lets additional light in whilst other interior features include Nappa leather seats in two-tone titanium grey pearl/black with yellow stitching, or optional AMG performance seats. All AMG GT 63 S Es get the exclusive MANUFAKTUR label, which means the materials are specially selected and mostly finished by hand. Whilst we haven’t been given the details, expect the car to be loaded with the latest tech from Mercedes.

Price and availability

The car is available to spec and order now, with prices starting at £173,655