2025 Mercedes-AMG GT63 S E Performance

Mercedes’s new 805-hp plug-in-hybrid hatchback focuses on speed over efficiency.

Did you know a male hippo can weigh as much as 5000 pounds? Despite their calm demeanor, these giants have jaws strong enough to deliver one of the most powerful bites on land. Interestingly, they share this strength with the Mercedes-AMG GT63 S E Performance. Weighing almost two-and-a-half tons, this car packs a powerful punch with its top-of-the-line hybrid powertrain. Both the hippo and the GT63 S E Performance prove that power comes in unexpected packages!

The GT63 S E Performance gets its extra weight from an electrified powertrain. It still rocks a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 like its gas-only sibling, but here it pumps out 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque, mated to a nine-speed automatic with a wet clutch instead of a torque converter. What sets it apart is the electric motor at the rear axle, adding 201 horsepower and 236 pound-feet, plus a 4.8-kWh battery pack. Together, they beef up the car to around 4800 pounds but deliver a mind-blowing 805 horsepower and 1047 pound-feet of torque to all four wheels. Now that’s power!

If you’ve been crunching the numbers, you might find the horsepower figures a bit baffling. But when it comes to torque, it’s a whole other story—Mercedes-AMG’s engineers have cooked up a formula that’s as intricate as Einstein’s theories. On Germany’s autobahn, though, there’s no room for doubt. The electric motor dishes out bursts of full power for 10 seconds at a time, followed by 60-second intervals of 94 horsepower. The acceleration is relentless, pushing all the way to 190 mph, and it feels like this car could easily hit 220 mph if not for engineering limits. Mercedes claims a blistering 2.7 seconds to 60 mph with Race Start engaged, and the way it pins you to the seat suggests it might even score a top-10 spot on our acceleration leaderboard.

Despite its hefty build, the GT63 S E Performance handles like a nimble racer. Instead of traditional anti-roll bars, it employs a sophisticated hydraulic anti-roll control system akin to high-end brands like McLaren and Rivian. This setup keeps the car steady through corners by linking the suspension hydraulically, adjusting its stiffness from Comfort to Sport modes. On twisty roads in southern Germany, paired with rear-axle steering, it deftly conceals its weight. The car stays flat through fast turns and agilely maneuvers through tight bends, making you forget its heft. Sure, these features add to its weight, but for a car already a bit on the heavier side, a few extra pounds won’t slow it down.

Cruising on Germany’s smooth roads in Comfort, Sport, or Race modes, the GT63 S E Performance excels in ride quality. However, the steering could use a bit more finesse. Feedback from the Michelin Pilot Sport S5 tires is lacking, making off-center turns feel overly reactive, often needing adjustments mid-corner. At high speeds, the steering response slows down, which helps, but there’s still a learning curve to master its nuances.