- The 2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 63 S E Efficiency places energy above all else
- The plug-in hybrid has 805 hp and 1,047 lb-ft, but it surely’s heavy
- Pricing hasn’t been launched, however count on a invoice for over $200,000 when it comes time to pay
Between two farms exterior of Mercedes’ proving grounds in Immendingen, Germany, I pull the 2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 63 S E Efficiency to the aspect of an open nation highway. With my foot on the brake, I flip the steering wheel dial to Race mode, then flooring it. The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster flashes “Race Begin Prepared,” and I let go of the brake.
Zing! The V-8 engine and electrical motor come collectively to ship instant, thunderous energy. The Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 tires hook up in any respect 4 corners, my again cracks as my physique snaps again into the supportive and well-formed sport seat, and the automobile rockets ahead in what feels rather a lot like the two.7 seconds Mercedes quotes for its efficiency plug-in hybrid.
I’ve simply skilled the quickest Mercedes ever, enabled by a seamless mix of fuel and electrical energy.
Nevertheless, the meandering route from AMG headquarters in Affalterbach to Lake Konstanz that Mercedes has chosen for the majority of the media drive can also be telling. The route options brief spurts of Autobahn, only a few tight turns, and softly winding nation roads. This is perhaps essentially the most highly effective automobile within the model’s costliest sports activities automobile vary, however Mercedes bakes in no monitor time or lengthy stretches of mountain roads, probably as a result of the automobile is just too heavy.
The brand new coupe’s plug-in hybrid system provides about 500 kilos to a automobile that has gained 600 kilos in its second era. It turns the GT from a sports activities automobile to a grand tourer, albeit a monstrously highly effective one. Nonetheless grand, however not monitor sharp.
2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 63 S E Efficiency
Mercedes AMG GT 63 S E Efficiency: Energy abounds
The plug-in hybrid system is a technological marvel that additionally powers the S-Class and AMG GT 4-Door Coupe. It pairs the model’s acquainted twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 with a rear-mounted completely excited synchronous electrical motor. The engine spins out 603 hp from 5,750-6,750 rpm and 627 lb-ft of torque from 2,500-4,500 rpm. The motor makes 201 hp and 236 lb-ft. Mixed, the engine and motor produce an unimaginable 805 hp and 1,047 lb-ft.
Mercedes blends the 2 propulsion techniques nicely. Acceleration is predictable based mostly on pedal place, with no awkward handoffs of energy from one system to the opposite. The acquainted guttural growl of the Mercedes V-8 accompanies the ability, however so does one other sound: the eerie artificial whirr of the rear motor. At full tilt, it seems like a spaceship touchdown in a pitched World Battle II mortar battle.
2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 63 S E Efficiency
A few Autobahn blasts additionally present that energy stays on boil at excessive speeds. I look forward to site visitors to clear then step deep into the throttle. The numbers tick by shortly: 200, 220, 240, 250, 260…263 km/h. My exit is arising shortly, so I’ve to let off, however that’s 163 mph with a rock regular really feel and lots extra left within the chamber. One other journalist hits 192 mph (which I discover overly courageous), and this automobile can high out at 199 mph.
The plug-in hybrid system is positioned on the rear axle in a slightly complicated association shared with different efficiency {hardware}. Whereas the engine’s energy flows by means of a 9-speed AMG Speedshift MCT transmission with a moist clutch, the rear motor’s energy goes by means of an built-in 2-speed transmission and a limited-slip differential. The rear transmission can spin as much as 12,500 rpm earlier than it adjustments gears, which might occur anyplace from 43-87 mph.
Whereas the engine can energy the entrance wheels, so can the rear motor as each energy sources flip the driveshaft in the identical course. From there, the middle differential determines how a lot energy goes to the entrance.
A 6.1-kwh (4.8-kwh usable) battery can also be positioned above the rear axle to energy the motor, and the entire rear finish meeting is additional sophisticated with the addition of a rear-wheel-steering system.
2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 63 S E Efficiency
Mercedes AMG GT 63 S E Efficiency: Electrical efficiency
Driving by means of a few of Germany’s quaint small cities looks as if the proper time to strive the EL electrical mode. Powered solely by the motor, the AMG GT 63 S E Efficiency isn’t practically as fast as it’s with the help of the engine, but it surely additionally isn’t as sluggish as many different plug-in hybrids. The rear motor can add 94 hp repeatedly and ship its 201 hp photographs when wanted and the driving force stomps the throttle previous a detent on the finish of the pedal journey. It has sufficient oomph to maintain up with site visitors in nearly any scenario and rise up to freeway speeds. Freeway passing can also be potential, but it surely’s iffy sufficient that it requires a free lane and good planning.
The bursts of max electrical energy are largely wanted when teamed with engine energy on a racetrack, for a Race Begin, or throughout these Autobahn blasts. In a monitor state of affairs, the total energy might be accessible to be used on lengthy straights, and the Mercedes Observe App can sync the automobile to a monitor and decide when the most effective instances are for full energy.
The 400-volt battery is constructed to deal with the short blasts, too. Derived from F1 expertise, every of its 560 cells is liquid-cooled to maintain it round its superb working temperature of 113 levels Fahrenheit. That lets the battery dole out energy shortly and get well it pretty shortly as nicely.
The small battery gives about eight miles of electrical driving vary on the extra lenient European WLTP cycle, in order that is perhaps 5 – 6 miles on the EPA cycle. Nevertheless, that doesn’t imply the battery simply runs out of cost. EL mode will start to empty it, however not all the best way and switching to the opposite modes will cost it again up, aided by 4 ranges of regen that tops out at 0.3 g of regenerative braking that doesn’t fairly carry the automobile to a cease. Throughout my drive, one electrical run takes the battery right down to 25%, however switching between Sport and Sport+ modes brings it again as much as 63% after an hour or in order I change between max and minimal regen. The battery may also be charged at residence by way of its 3.7-kw onboard AC charger.
An Particular person drive mode lets drivers get essentially the most efficiency out of the automobile whereas driving on electrical energy slightly than aiming strictly for gasoline effectivity. As an illustration, the driving force can select the Sport or Sport+ settings for the suspension and loosen the reins of the steadiness management by choosing the Professional or Grasp settings of the AMG Dynamics stability management system. A louder or softer artificial sound may also be chosen, and the traction management may be turned off.
2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 63 S E Efficiency Coupe
Mercedes AMG GT 63 S E Efficiency: Exact however heavy
Budgetary issues are one cause the second-generation AMG GT weighs greater than the primary era. This time round Mercedes has mixed the SL and GT lineups on a standard platform, with the GT serving because the coupe and the SL because the convertible. It retains each vehicles within the lineup, which we applaud, and it makes the SL sportier whereas including weight to each.
The second-generation GT evolves from a two-seater with a rear transaxle to an extended 2+2 with the transmission moved to the entrance. With its larger physique, plentiful luxurious options, and plug-in hybrid system, the 2025 Mercedes AMG GT 63 S E Efficiency weighs in someplace north of 4,600 kilos (official figures haven’t but been printed). A lot weight isn’t superb for greatest dealing with, however Mercedes employs lots of efficiency gear and superior suspension expertise, together with eager suspension tuning, to make it agile.
It begins with a hydraulic-linked suspension, a la the McLaren 750S, to counteract physique roll as an alternative of anti-roll bars. The hydraulic hyperlinks and the strain within the system’s pump decide the digital spring stiffness. Nook laborious, and the system stiffens as much as stop lean and preserve correct camber for fast turn-in response. Drive straight over a bumpy highway, and the system can stay largely open to take in bumps. The adaptive dampers even have two hydraulic connections, one for rebound and one for compression, to allow them to observe together with the spring charges. The stiffness is all adjustable by means of Consolation, Sport, and Sport+ modes.
Even in Sport+, the trip doesn’t beat me up on Germany’s easy, well-built roads. All through my time within the automobile, I by no means attain for Consolation mode as a consequence of trip high quality, although I’d need to strive it on America’s best pockmarks to render an entire opinion.
2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 63 S E Efficiency
The rear axle is residence to an digital limited-slip differential that ensures the rear wheels apportion the ability to most effectively exit a nook at velocity. Rear-wheel steering additionally aids car parking zone maneuverability, and both makes the automobile flip a bit sharper in lower-speed corners or holds it steadier in high-speed lane adjustments or quick cornering. The system can flip the rear tires 2.5 levels reverse of the fronts, and it switches over to steering with the fronts at 62 mph. It additionally features a variable entrance steering ratio that’s faster at decrease speeds.
Energetic aerodynamics play an element in dealing with efficiency, too. An aero ingredient on the underbody in entrance of the engine lowers 1.6 inches at 50 mph to create a venturi impact that sucks the automobile to the highway and reduces axle elevate. The automobile additionally has a retractable rear spoiler that prompts into certainly one of 5 positions beginning at 50 mph to extend stability or scale back drag, relying on the drive program. An elective AMG Aerodynamics Bundle comes with a set rear wing that provides 31 kilos of downforce at 155 mph.
On the tighter bits of Mercedes’ route, I study that every one this gear harnesses the GT’s weight fairly nicely, serving to the automobile preserve a largely flat angle each below heavy braking and when attacking a flip. The automobile turns in shortly with the model’s typical quick, direct steering by means of a chunky wheel. It rotates willingly, thanks partially to a near-perfect 51:49 front-to-rear weight stability aided by all that additional weight on the rear axle. It sticks stubbornly to the pavement, too, because it rides on a giant set of Michelin Pilot Sport S5 tires, 295/35R20 up entrance and 305/35R20 on the rear.
Braking can also be strong as a consequence of a typical set of carbon-ceramic brakes that reduces unsprung weight and will increase braking efficiency. These are the most important beasties Mercedes has ever placed on a automobile, with 16.5-inch entrance rotors and 6-piston calipers and 15-inch rear rotors with single-piston calipers.
Whereas the suspension affords glorious management on public roads, the load will trigger some issues on a monitor. It’s going to make the automobile understeer in sharp corners, and it’ll put higher stress on these massive brakes. It received’t really feel fairly so keen to alter instructions, both, and it received’t really feel as gentle on its toes because the final GT, which carried as much as 1,100 fewer kilos on its well-balanced chassis.
The dealing with champion of the GT lineup would be the newly introduced AMG GT 63 Professional. It does away with the plug-in hybrid system and its V-8 makes the identical 603 hp as within the plug-in hybrid mannequin, each of that are 26 hp greater than the usual AMG GT 63 mannequin. It comes with the Aero bundle and is obtainable with even stickier Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. Whereas I’ve not but pushed it, this drive program does embrace a ride-along within the Professional with legendary Mercedes racer five-time DTM champion Bernd Schneider on the wheel. In his eminently expert fingers, the AMG GT Professional seems to have all the potential of the most effective of the final era AMG GT, maybe even the track-focused GT R. Making that dedication must look forward to a drive alternative or concrete proof in monitor time.
2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 63 S E Efficiency
Mercedes AMG GT 63 S E Efficiency: A sporty, luxurious bathtub
A low-set seating place enhances the sporty really feel of any AMG GT. It’s like sitting in a bath, supplied you’re used to a leather- and carbon-fiber-lined tub replete with screens and etched-metal Burmester speaker grilles. Its multi-contour sport seats give me the proper of hug with out squeezing the admittedly extra stuffing out of me.
The 11.9-inch middle touchscreen lets me monitor a number of hybrid- and AMG-specific car techniques. The AMG Efficiency show exhibits entrance and rear steering angle, real-time energy from the engine and motor, acceleration and brake percentages, damper forces, vitality circulation, and temperature of the electrical drive unit, amongst different info.
That tech is balanced by loads of luxuries, too, together with accessible seat heating and cooling, two-tone nappa leather-based upholstery with diamond quilting and artificial suede inserts, and elective tighter AMG Efficiency seats. A Manufaktur possibility extends the nappa leather-based to the armrests, door middle panels, middle console, and decrease sprint. Deep pile floormats and illuminated aspect sills add much more luxurious. Luxurious tub certainly.
2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 63 S E Efficiency
The AMG GT’s rear seat is about as helpful as it’s within the Porsche 911. In different phrases, it’s not match for man nor beast, however it’s a good place for my backpack. Although we name it a coupe, the AMG GT is definitely a hatchback with a decently sized rear cargo space that loses a couple of cubic toes of house as a result of battery mounted above the rear axle.
The 2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 63 S E Efficiency is due within the U.S. this fall. Pricing has but to be introduced, however count on it to value roughly $25,000 extra than the GT 63 mannequin, based mostly on estimates from S-Class costs. For that cash, you’ll have a call to make. Do you wish to spend extra for the quickest Mercedes ever, one with unimaginable energy and a brief electrical vary for metropolis jaunts, or does a purer sports activities automobile—albeit one with much less energy—enchantment extra? I lean towards the purer alternative, although I doubt it might crack my again in addition to the AMG GT 63 S E Efficiency plug-in hybrid.
Mercedes-Benz paid for journey and lodging for Motor Authority to carry you this firsthand report.
