Verdict
The S 63 isn’t the all-rounder you might have expected of a plug-in hybrid Mercedes S-Class. For that, we’d point you towards the excellent 580 e. There’s a bit of pageantry in the S 63, showcasing how wonderful it can be when seemingly conflicting attributes are shaped into delivering a unique driving experience. Mercedes has done a pretty convincing job of turning its luxury limousine into a performance saloon.
The Mercedes S-Class is a car that you enjoy from the rear seats as much as the front, but the S 63 E Performance is a bit different. It’s very much focused on thrilling the driver before anything else.
While the S-Class gains more technology with each generation to create an ever-more luxurious experience, the S 63’s headline isn’t a new refrigerator, sound system or even massaging seats…it’s the fact that with 792bhp and 1,430Nm of torque, this is the most powerful S-Class to date.
The majority of that power comes from a familiar twin-turbocharged four-litre V8 with 604bhp, but it’s supplemented by a plug-in hybrid system that uses a 187bhp rear-mounted electric motor, powered by a battery pack situated above the rear axle.
That battery pack is a mere 13.1kWh in capacity, which is half the size of the unit in the S 580 e plug-in hybrid. As a result, there’s a rather meek 21-mile EV range in the S 63, while the S 580 e is good for 63 miles of emissions-free motoring, according to Mercedes.
Indeed, the S 63 is best considered a regular non-hybrid muscle car in some ways. Don’t go looking for urban-focused, EV-only driving, because you’ll only be disappointed with the range. Instead, think of the hybrid unit as a power boost and let it improve the fuel efficiency of its own accord – in Sport and Sport Plus modes, the S 63 will recharge the battery to some extent, though this can be quite taxing on fuel economy in the process.
