New Mercedes-AMG SL 63 S E Performance: flagship roadster gets 816hp hybrid tech
December 12, 2023 by Jamie Edkins
Car changing is a big deal
This is the new Mercedes-AMG SL 63 S E Performance, and it’s an insanely powerful plug-in hybrid version of the brand’s luxury 2-seater convertible. Read on for all you need to know.
- New Mercedes-AMG SL 63 S E Performance revealed
- Plug-in hybrid version of the SL roadster
- V8 engine paired with electric motor makes 816hp
- 0-60mph in 2.9 seconds
- Suspension and chassis upgrades
- On sale next year
The Mercedes SL roadster has been given the plug-in hybrid treatment in the pursuit of power, with this AMG 63 S E Performance model getting a similar setup to the S63 E Performance, meaning you have a V8 engine with 816hp.
This alternative to the Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet has also been given a few suspension and chassis upgrades to keep it feeling nimble on a backroad.
New Mercedes-AMG SL 63 S E Performance engine
Let’s kick off with the thing which separates this E Performance model from the current range-topping SL 63 S, and that is what’s under the bonnet. It still has a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8, however it’s now assisted by an electric motor.
The setup is similar to the one found in the Mercedes-AMG S63, and here it puts out a combined 816hp and a whopping 1,420Nm of torque. That’s 230hp more than the standard SL 63 S, and it’s over 160hp more than the Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet.
Power is sent to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic gearbox, just like it is in the standard SL.
New Mercedes-AMG SL 63 S hybrid performance
So what does all that added power mean for performance? Well the standard SL 63 S can do 0-60mph in 3.6 seconds, lagging behind the Porsche 911 Turbo S by 0.8 of a second.
See how the Mercedes SL compares to the Porsche 911 Cabriolet…
This hybridised E Performance model slashes this time to just 2.9 seconds, still a tenth slower than the Porsche, likely due to the added weight of the hybrid batteries. It’s still quite a bit quicker than the BMW M8 Competition Convertible, with that car completing the sprint in 3.3 seconds.
Given enough space, the AMG SL 63 S E Performance will go on to a top speed of 197mph. That’s 8mph less than a Porsche 911 Turbo S, however it is 7mph quicker than the BMW M8 Competition Convertible can manage.
New Mercedes-AMG SL 63 S E Performance suspension and chassis
It’s no good having all this power under your right foot if everything falls apart in the corners, and the Mercedes-AMG SL 63 S E Performance has been tweaked under the skin to make sure it can handle the bends.
This model gets AMG Active ride control as standard, a system which replaces the standard anti-roll bars and stabilisers with a network of hydraulics to actively compensate for body roll. This car also gets upgraded ceramic brakes to make sure you can stop as quickly as it goes.
Helping make it feel even more agile is the standard-fit rear-wheel steering. This can turn the rear wheels in the opposite direction to the front to pull you around a corner, and it’ll make the car feel more stable at speed by turning the rear wheels in the same direction as the fronts.
New Mercedes-AMG SL 63 S E Performance design
There’s not much to set this E Performance model apart from the standard SL 63 S, however there are a few subtle telltales that this is the hybrid model.
As is the case with all AMG hybrid models, there’s a flash of red around the badges and an E Performance emblem on the front wing. Beyond this, it’s SL business as usual. You have the wide AMG grille with vertical slats, as well as the pointy LED headlamps.
Around the back there are quad tailpipes with a trapezoidal shape, just like you’ll find on all flagship AMG cars. All cars get 20-inch wheels as standard, although there are also option 21-inch wheels if that seems a bit puny.
When can I buy a Mercedes-AMG SL 63 S E Performance?
You’ll have to wait until 2024 to get behind the wheel of the new Mercedes-AMG SL 63 S E Performance, and you’ll probably have to pay a hefty premium for the added performance.
Looking at the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door, the E Performance model commands a £23,000 premium over the standard 63 S model. By this logic, this hybrid SL could fetch north of £200,000.
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