Mercedes-AMG GT coupe packs 600kW plug-in hybrid V8

The new Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance is the German maker’s fastest-accelerating model, toppling the F1-derived AMG One hypercar – and it’s a plug-in hybrid.

Before you start questioning whether we missed anything when the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance nameplate launched a few months ago, we’re now talking about the two-door coupe, rather than the four-door sedan which confusingly shares the same name.

At launch, the GT coupe was only available with a twin-turbo V8 engine, while a mild-hybrid 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder recently joined the fold.

However, the drivetrain from the aforementioned GT sedan has now been shoehorned into the coupe, with the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) setup adding a rear electric motor to boost the now 48-volt assisted 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine.

This has resulted in a combined output of 600kW and 1420Nm, a staggering 170kW and 620Nm – yes, you read that right – gain above the V8-only coupe.

Though the electric motor only powers the rear wheels (through a two-speed transmission), the V8 drives all four wheels via a nine-speed multi-clutch automatic gearbox, resulting in claimed a 0-100km/h sprint time of 2.8 seconds.

For context, the Mercedes-AMG One – which uses a turbocharged 1.6-litre V6 engine derived from F1, mated to a quad-electric motor hybrid system – gets from 0-100km/h in 2.9 seconds.

Mercedes-AMG hasn’t detailed how much the GT 63 S E Performance weighs, but expect it to tip the scales at more than two tonnes, given the quoted 1970kg kerb weight of the non-hybrid V8 version.

Its 6.1kWh battery can provide up to 13km of electric-only driving range, while the PHEV system can help to reduce its fuel consumption to 8.2L/100km.

All the standard equipment from the non-hybrid GT 63 carries across – such as 20-inch wheels and carbon brakes – though the PHEV can be distinguished by its boot badging and rear charging port.

The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance is as yet unconfirmed for Australia.

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