Odd though it might seem to some for the most luxurious, pampering limousine in the Mercedes-Benz range to serve as the basis for a rip-snorting performance car, the new Mercedes-AMG S63 E Performance is part of a very long-running tradition, AMG having fettled every S-Class since the 1972 original.
There is a major difference with the new seventh-generation model, though: where previously a big-displacement V8 or V12 worked alone, turbocharged or supercharged, here a new 4.0-litre V8 is electrically enhanced as part of a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
This system is based on that used by the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance 4-Door Coupé, the main differences being a less powerful 188bhp (instead of 201bhp) electric motor on the rear axle and a larger (13.1 instead of 6.1kWh) battery under the boot floor. This combination provides the S63 with an extra 13 miles of electric-only range, although this still stands at just 20.5 miles, compared with 53- for the (admittedly much less potent) BMW M760e.
Power and torque peak at 791bhp and 1055lb ft, or 179 and 391 more than the old 5.5-litre V8-engined S63, making this the most powerful S-Class yet. Unsurprisingly, though, it all comes with an additional 309kg to the kerb weight, at 2520kg.
With AMG’s nine-speed automatic gearbox and fully variable four-wheel drive system deploying these enormous reserves, it can hit 62mph in a mere 3.3sec.