AMG’s Hybrid 2+2 uses a staggering amount of technology to defy the laws of physics.
In the days leading up to my seat in the GT63 SE Performance – AMG’s hybrid version of the recently reinvented two-door GT – I’ve been thinking about what exactly this car’s primary purpose is. While the original Mercedes-AMG GT was a rear-wheel-drive two-seater designed specifically to compete with the 911s and Corvettes of the sports car world, much like the SLS AMG before it, the second-generation GT is a different animal.
Now based on a platform shared with the SL, the GT features a rear seat, a longer wheelbase, all-wheel drive (aside from the base model GT 43, which remains rear-wheel drive) while weighing more than a few pounds. While the first-generation GT S coupe weighed around 3,600 pounds, its modern equivalent (the non-hybrid Mercedes-AMG GT 63) tips the scales at over 4,300 pounds, and this E-Performance model tips the scales at around 500 pounds more, largely due to the addition of an electric motor and 6.1-kWh battery pack.
Could a vehicle that weighs nearly 5,000 pounds even be considered a sports car? And if not, then what is it? Even after a week with the car, I’m still not entirely sure, but what I can say for sure is this: it looks great, it’s breathtakingly complex, and it’s fast as hell.
To be honest, the Mercedes-AMG GT63 SE Performance is ultimately a capable and decidedly performance-oriented luxury grand tourer in the vein of the Aston Martin DB12 and 992 Porsche 911 Turbo S, but it outperforms both machines while undercutting them on price.
Under the hood is AMG’s venerable 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8, here tuned to deliver a whopping 603 hp and 627 lb-ft on its own. The engine is also complemented by the aforementioned electric motor that produces 201 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque, resulting in an official total system output of 805 hp and a staggering 1,047 lb-ft of torque.
If you’re worried about this bill, you’re not the only one. Mercedes says that rather than simply combining the peak power numbers of the engine and hybrid system to get total performance, you should look at it as an entire powertrain, and that requires a calculation that would make Isaac Newton’s eyes light up. The basic premise is that this formula takes into account the ratios of the vehicle’s two transmissions (the traditional nine-speed automatic and the hybrid system’s own two-speed transmission) to produce accurate numbers “at the crankshaft.”
I won’t bore you with the details here, but suffice it to say that this powertrain is a complicated piece of technology. This makes the GT63 SE Performance also the most powerful production model in the AMG range alongside its drop-top colleague, the SL63 SE Performance, which is equipped with the same drivetrain hardware.
As with other performance-oriented hybrid vehicles like the BMW M5 and Lamborghini Revuelto, all it takes is a push of the engine’s start/stop button to get going on electric power alone, giving the GT63 SE Performance a level of stealth that your neighbors will probably appreciate on early morning trips. Although the hybrid system’s battery only provides about 8 miles (13 kilometers) of electric range, the vehicle’s sportier driving modes charge the battery while driving, meaning owners rarely have to bother plugging in a charger.
Unfortunately, the rear-mounted hybrid system creates a significant bump in the car’s storage space, which in turn reduces cargo capacity to just 7.3 cubic feet from the 11.3 cubic feet found in other GT models.
The GT63 SE Performance offers a total of eight driving modes: Electric, Battery Hold, Comfort, Slippery, Sport, Sport+, Race and Individual. Comfort is the default setting when the car is started, and while the hybrid system can get the car up to highway speeds on all electric power, the V8 automatically activates when you’re faced with a steep hill or need more punch than the electric motor can deliver.
However, the transition from pure electric drive to a combination of electric and combustion drive is admirably seamless from the steering wheel; More than once I had to glance at the tachometer to check whether the V8 was firing or not. I blamed this on the absolutely stunning Burmester “3D Surround Sound” audio system!
Despite this tester’s performance-oriented tuning, weight, and optional 21-inch wheels, it’s also remarkably compliant on the highway and not particularly harsh around town when left in one of its more relaxed driving modes. Much of this performance is thanks to AMG’s Active Ride Control suspension, which is standard on the GT63 SE Performance.
It features an active hydraulic system that replaces conventional stabilizers and provides individual support to the vehicle’s adaptive dampers during both compression and rebound movements of the suspension. This pays dividends in everyday driving comfort, while also helping to maintain the correct amount of camber in the corners during more spirited driving.
Speaking of temperamental urges, the cognitive dissonance only grew stronger as I ventured into the canyons. While the car’s considerable mass is noticeable when braking and changing direction quickly, the suspension does an impressive job of containing body movements. There’s also a surprising amount of mechanical grip available, and the all-wheel drive allows for plenty of breakaways if you feel brave enough to dial back the electronic assistance a bit.
Mercedes claims an official 0-60mph sprint of 2.7 seconds, making it the fastest AMG road car ever produced. I see no reason to refute this claim, but outside the context of drag launches, it seems like the GT63 SE Performance would benefit from additional dynamic refinement.
After a loud stomp on the pedal, it takes a noticeable cycle for all the different systems to come into line to deliver maximum thrust, and by the time everyone is at full speed, you’re often on the brakes again in the next corner. And while the transmission programming in Race mode is appropriately aggressive, the transmission tends to be a little slow to respond when it comes to downshift requests via the paddle shifter. Even under hard braking, pedal feel was strangely inconsistent regardless of the drive mode selected or recuperation setting, which is a bit worrying in a car this heavy and this fast.
Despite its quirks, there’s no doubt that the GT63 SE Performance is exciting to drive when things are going fast and extremely competent when pressed into service as a grand tourer. Whether or not it’s a true sports car remains a matter of debate, but most owners probably won’t be too worried about it when confidently pulling up next to a McLaren Artura at a traffic light.
Images: Bradley Iger
