Mercedes has been hard at work on an AMG version of the new S-Class, and after our first sighting of a prototype back in June, our spy photographers were able to capture the car again, this time testing at the Nurburgring. We know it’s definitely an AMG because it has all the key making of one: massive wheels and brakes, square quad exhaust pipes, a more aggressive widened body, and of course the Panamericana grille. And as evidenced by the dual-fuel filler doors on either side of the body (one for gasoline and one for electricity), we know it’s a plug-in hybrid.
The front features the same
teardrop-shaped lower fascia that we’ve come to expect from AMG’s latest cars,
as well as a non-frowning S-Class grille that’s been given the vertical bar
Panamericana treatment. The rear bumper features a sizeable diffuser, flanked
by dual rectangular exhaust pipes on either side. The two camouflaged cars both
feature large carbon-ceramic brakes with slotted rotors, both of which are
framed by double 12-spoke wheels. Finally, the limited view of the interior
paints a very familiar picture, with nearly everything in the cabin being
seemingly identical to the non-AMG model except for the double-bar steering
wheel and potentially some different trim options.
For propulsion, this next-gen S63 has been
speculated to use some variation of Mercedes’ latest hybrid technology, which
means we could see it running the same powertrain as the AMG GT 63 S E
Performance, and adopting a similar model designation as such (think something
along the lines of S63e or S63 E Performance). If that’s the case, the
4.0-liter biturbo V8 / electric motor combo will pump out a whopping 831 hp and 1,400 Nm of torque.
Additionally, there will supposedly be a
higher-spec AMG S-Class down the line, but it, unfortunately, won’t be using a
V12, as that privilege has been reserved exclusively for the Maybach S680.
