Climbing the AMG Stairway to Heaven
Some Mondays are blue, others are cool, this past one was just out of this world! Mercedes invited us to climb its ladder of AMG.
Some Mondays are blue. Others are cool. This one was just out of this world! Mercedes invited us to climb its AMG ladder by trying a car with each of its four top-end straight-six, straight six plug-in, V8, and mighty V8 e-Performance powertrains through the day across among the finest roads imaginable. Man, what a way to start the week!
First up, the CLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupé. We’ve had a lot of fun with all its siblings, so I was looking forward to the 443-horsepower 600 lb.-ft overboost M 256M 3-liter straight-six with its 28 HP and 48 lb.-ft 48V mild hybrid system integrated in the nose of its AMG Speedshift TCT 9G transmission. It did not disappoint. With old-school feel, that six is like a whip and this car pulls beautifully too.
Packing fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive, there’s also five-mode Dynamic Select, Independent Ride Control suspension with three-stage speed-sensitive, and rear-axle steering. The cabin is just sensual and looks every bit the part with a shark nose, long hood, and typical Merc coupe bubble. Wider fenders add a muscular stance, especially from behind, and those optional deep-dish 20-inch wheels, oh wow!
We Expected Much From CLE 53. It Delivered.
Next up, the new Mercedes-AMG E 53 Hybrid 4MATIC+ adds a whole lot more electric punch and great battery range to that 3-liter turbo petrol straight-six from the CLE 53. A hundred and thirty horses more punch to be precise, along with about 62 miles of pure electric range at up to 87 mph. The result is 577 HP and 553 lb.-ft of system output, and a whole lot more performance too.
So you only hear and feel this one’s turbo petrol straight six when you need or want it. Otherwise, it drives just like an EV thanks to its 161 HP 354 lb.-ft electric motor hidden in its AMG Speedshift TCT 9G transmission. But when you do ask it, hoo boy, does it deliver. 0 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 173 mph is top drawer stuff. Proving you can have it all and then some with Mercedes-AMG.
E53’s 28.6 kWh traction battery adds versatility with an 11-kW onboard charger and 75 kW recuperation power. Packing all the expected AMG goodies from 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive to active rear-wheel steering, latest AMG Ride Control, adaptive damping, electromechanical brake boost, and more—this E53 packs it all in for ultimate stability, agility, and safety in utterly harmonious top-end E-class luxury.
An Electric Punch Up to E53 AMG
Filled by a much-needed lunch at some of Franschhoek’s finest spots, we turned back, armed with nothing less than the good old school Mercedes-AMG SL 63 4MATIC+. Like the CLE 53 we drove first, this one’s just a bold and ever-present 577 HP 590 lb.-ft twin-turbo V8 gas burner with only a little 48V assistance.
Wonderfully gruff and tuneful from idle to full chat, 0 to 60 mph takes just 3.6 seconds, while top speed is no slouch either, at 196 mph. Packing the AMG Speedshift MCT 9G transmission you surely expect by now, it now features all-wheel drive for the first time in 70 years of SL.
The hyper-analogue MBUX system and original 300 SL cues elevate the cockpit, now also offering a 2+2 seating arrangement, with more space to stretch. The Airscarf keeps top-down driving comfortable no matter how cold outside. The return to a soft top means lighter weight and better handling. Sharp looks and air-optimized alloys deliver a perfect balance between complex aero and classic style.
There’s Nothing Quite Like Styling in an AMG SL 63.
Moving on to the top of the pile, the new Formula 1 inspired AMG GT flagship 63 S E Performance twins a 4-litre high performance biturbo V8 and an AMG Electric Drive Unit. Delivering a peak of 805 HP and wait for it, up to 1,047 lb.-ft, AMG claims lightning-fast 2.8 second acceleration to 60 mph and 200 mph maximum speed.
It has a permanently excited two-speed 201 HP synchronous electric motor. Squashed into the rear axle complete with a limited-slip differential. That’s all positioned directly below its lightweight F1 inspired temperature-regulated high-performance battery to improve weight and axle load distribution.
The 6.1 kWh capacity 400-volt AMG pack independently direct cools each of its 560 cells. Producing 70 kW continuous and 150 kW peak power, it can be charged by a 3.7 kW AC onboard charger at a station or via home wall charger and also features four-stage recuperation.
Why Is Everyone Petrified of the GT 63 S E?
The electric motor can power the GT 63 on its own for nine miles, deliver extra shove when pulling away and deliver all its bonus power under acceleration, while overtaking and at speed. As the rear axle lights up and believe us, it does, electric output is also transferred to the front wheels. Via a cardan shaft mechanical connection to merge with fully variable AMG Performance 4Matic+ all-wheel drive.
Eight Dynamic Select AMG driving programs, active aerodynamics and AMG Active Ride Control suspension come with active rear-axle steering and semi-active roll stabilization. Stopping is supreme via 420 x 40 mm front and 380 x 32 mm rear AMG ceramic high-performance composite brakes. GT 63 benefits all the visual AMG tweaks you’d expect along with a highly customizable driver-focused cockpit.
We thundered over the finest of wet Cape roads including its best passed. At the logical limi. Yet always in the full belief that we were only using a tenth of GT 63’s potential. Most people seem petrified by this car and rightfully so. It is utterly mad. To close, we tried a little race start. It brought tears to my eyes, pulled back my jowls and stuffed us back into our seats.
To the soundtrack I’d imagine when Getafix drops that final prawn, strawberries and four-leafed clover into his magic potion. Can this Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance topple our Ferrari 296 zero to sixty record? Well that’s up to Mercedes sending us one to test.
Photos: Michele Lupini
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