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Mercedes-AMG has given its super saloon the hybrid treatment in the form of the new AMG GT 63 E Performance. Launched at a price of Rs 3.3 crore (ex-showroom), this is the most powerful production car that AMG has on sale. With the help of an electric motor sitting on the rear axle, the car boasts a torque figure of over 1470Nm which can take the car from 0 to 100kmph in just 2.9 seconds. AMG has also given it some clever tech straight from its F1 learnings to cool down the batteries more efficiently.
Only a keen eye will be able to tell the difference between the standard car and the hybrid version. The dimensions haven’t been changed but the front bumper has been reprofiled to add larger air intakes as well as an active front spoiler which gives it a more aggressive look. The GT 63 S E also gets multibeam LED headlamps. On the side is the only badge that actually says E Performance along with some carbonfibre treatment. Going to the back, you’ll be able to find the charging port integrated in the rear bumper. The GT 63 S E also gets an electric rear spoiler, along with a carbonfibre diffuser and quad exhausts. 20-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels are offered as standard with the AMG, with 21-inch forged wheels being optional. You also have the option of adding AMG stripe stickers to the GT 63 S E Performance to make the car stand out further.
Getting inside will remind you that you’re still in a Mercedes. Not too much has been changed from the standard GT and it comes with a long list of personalisation options like before. You can choose between the AMG Sports seats and Performance seats with your choice of leather upholstery, and the interior now gets an AMG Performance steering wheel. On the steering wheel, there are buttons to choose between the seven different driving modes, including a fully-electric mode for the first time that provides a driving range of 12km.
An interesting feature is that you can toggle the sound experience between ‘balanced’ and ‘powerful’ using the sound buttons in the central console or on the steering wheel. This feature lets you choose the sound output of the exhaust with the help of inbuilt flaps. There are also two recuperation modes that help you to decide how the battery regenerates power. The MBUX multimedia system is standard and comes with dual screens that also tell you information about the battery. Additional equipment includes a 640-watt Burmester sound system with 14 speakers, the option of a standard or panoramic sunroof and a head-up display. Space is ample for the rear seats, and they get a centre console in case you decide to let your driver take over. The safety features are all top-notch as you’ll expect from such a car.
Just like the standard car, you get AMG’s 4-litre twin-turbo V8 producing 639bhp and 900Nm of torque. In its performance hybrid avatar, it is now assisted by a 6.1kWh battery and electric motor, placed on the rear axle to give it a 50:50 weight distribution and bump up the numbers to 831bhp and 1470Nm. But there’s a catch, all this torque is only available at peak performance and that is limited to only 10 seconds. Interestingly, the electric motor can power the AMG to speeds up to 130kmph, without needing to crank the V8 up. The transmission is a 9-speed Speedshift MCT 9G box sending power to all four wheels. 0-100kmph comes up in 2.9 seconds and the claimed top speed is 316kmph.
Coming in as a CBU unit, the GT 63 S E Performance is priced at Rs 3.3 crore (ex-showroom) and goes up against the Porsche Turbo S E-hybrid. Electric rivals include the Audi RS e-tron and the Taycan Turbo from Porsche. Although the figure is astonishing, remember you get four doors and a whole lot of boot space, just perfect for whenever you want to take your family on a drag strip.
