“The AMG the Passenger Fell for” ... Mercedes-AMG S 63 E Performance [Brilliant Mobility]

[Financial News] I pressed down with my right foot. A low rumble filled the cabin, and I felt the sound more in my back than in my ears. The speed climbed quickly, but the body stayed level without pitching back and forth. This is the S-Class priced at 299 million won: the Mercedes-AMG S 63 E Performance.
The car went on sale in South Korea in May 2024. It is the first plug-in hybrid (PHEV) among AMG models launched in the country, and Mercedes-Benz describes it as the most powerful S-Class ever.
The exterior changes start at the front. For the first time, the S-Class gets an AMG-specific radiator grille. A three-pointed star sits above the vertical louvers. The three-pointed star emblem that stood on the hood has been replaced by an AMG logo combining silver chrome and black. The 21-inch AMG forged wheels and exclusive side skirt panels give the car a lower profile.
The matte white paint is what defines the first impression. Its surface absorbs rather than reflects light, giving the car an even more luxurious look in person. It measures 5,335 mm long, 1,920 mm wide and 1,515 mm high, with a 3,216 mm wheelbase. Its size is pure S-Class, but its look is sharper.
Inside, seats upholstered in Nappa leather with distinctive stitching take center stage. The front headrests are embossed with AMG emblems, and the steering wheel is an AMG Performance wheel in twin-spoke Nappa leather. Dedicated AMG and hybrid displays have been added to the second-generation MBUX. The car also comes with the Driving Assistance Package, DIGITAL LIGHT, a Remote Parking Package, the Burmester 3D Surround Sound System, the MBUX High-End Rear Seat Entertainment System and the MBUX Interior Assistant, among other features.
A substantial part of the price is under the hood. The 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine produces 612 hp, while the permanent-magnet synchronous motor (PSM) delivers 190 hp. Together, they produce 802 hp and 124.3 kg·m of torque. That is 190 hp more than the previous-generation S 63 (V222), which had an engine only, and the time from a standstill to 100 km/h is 3.3 seconds—0.2 seconds quicker. The transmission is a 9-speed AMG Speedshift MCT, and power is sent through AMG Performance 4MATIC+ fully variable all-wheel drive. Top speed is 250 km/h.
The sound is one of the reasons this car commands its price. As speed increases, the V8’s rumble grows deeper rather than louder. You have already reached your desired speed before you even think it is noisy. Acceleration builds smoothly, without a harsh shove.
The battery has a 13.1 kWh capacity and uses a new cooling module. Under South Korea’s certification standards, the car can travel up to 25 km on electric power alone, and in Electric mode it can reach 140 km/h without the engine. If the battery runs low or more power is needed, the car automatically switches to Comfort mode and starts the engine. There are seven drive modes in all: Electric, Comfort, Battery Hold, Sport, Sport+, Slippery and Individual.
Ride comfort was the most unexpected aspect of this car. The AMG Ride Control Plus suspension handles the chassis. It combines air suspension, which automatically adjusts ride height, with adaptive damping, which changes the damping settings according to driving conditions, speed and load. It controls each wheel independently and lowers the body by up to 10 mm at speeds above 120 km/h. The car also has rear-axle steering, which turns the rear wheels by about 3 degrees, and AMG high-performance ceramic brakes.
The impression from the driver’s seat was much the same, but the clearest verdict came from the passenger seats. During drives mostly around the suburbs, going between Nowon District in Seoul and Pangyo in Gyeonggi Province, passengers in the front passenger seat or the right rear seat said, “It had the best ride comfort of any car I’ve been in.” The comment stands out all the more because it came from a high-performance sedan bearing the AMG badge. It means that the suspension built for fast driving also helps keep its occupants comfortable.
There are, however, a few things to keep in mind. The certified combined fuel economy is 7.9 km/L on gasoline and 2.3 km/kWh on electricity. With an electric-only range of 25 km, this is not a car that can go the distance on electric power alone. Its body, well over 5 meters long, can be cumbersome in narrow alleys.

[email protected] Kim Dong-chan Reporter