POWER broker: Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance driven

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Ahead of me is a convoy of Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance super sports cars, on the world-famous Clarence Drive near Gordon’s Bay. Along for the ride is the new SL 63 and CLE 53. It’s a regular AMG Christmas in July. The concept behind the event was for media to sample a selection of the latest AMG products.

In reverse power order, there’s the six-cylinder 48V mild-hybrid CLE 53 AMG with 330 kW and 600 Nm. Then the AMG SL 63 Roadster (non-hybrid) twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8, good for 430 kW and 800 Nm. And finally, the top dog Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance with a scarcely believable 600 kW and 1 420 Nm of torque, aided by a 6.1 kWh plug-in battery on top of its twin-turbo V8. So, let’s get driving …

MERCEDES-AMG GT 63 S E PERFORMANCE

We pull hard through a series of sweeping bends towards a tight hairpin surrounded by unforgiving rock. Ahead of me is the SL 63 Roadster, which is certainly no hairdryer with its force-fed V8 guffawing at maximum voice. I’ve got the best bucket seat in the house as we attack the famed coast road that once played host to the Mercedes SLR world launch. Double-clutch transmissions rata-tata up and down shifts like a pair of intoxicated drum majorettes …

Our duo roars in happy unison in the damp conditions, until the SL enters the next hairpin too cautiously and I line up alongside. The road is clear of traffic all the way around, so I squeeze the throttle and trust the Michelin Cup rubber is warm enough to grip up. Boy, does it ever! The electric-boosted Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance performs its teleportation trick and I slingshot tens of metres ahead in the blink of an eye. I drop anchor hard in the next hairpin with the standard carbon ceramic brakes and shove my surrounds into reverse. This gains me yet more distance on my open-top pursuer. This is exciting!

AMG POWER BROKER

Beyond the awe-inspiring figures – zero to 100 km/h in 2.8 seconds and 320 km/h plus top speed, the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance is simply a joy to drive. It clings hard to the tarmac with active aerodynamics, in the form of a movable front chin spoiler. There is a multi-mode traction control system so you can dial in just the right amount of electronic aid for the conditions. And rear-wheel steering helps pinch your line in tight corners and stabilise the chassis in the fast stuff.

Now, in clear air with glorious open road ahead, I pin the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance’s ears back. I trust the brute and I’m well and truly up to speed. The steering in Race mode is tight, suspension taut like a freshly tuned guitar string. We flow like electrified mercury, with speed and physics my guide. And allow me to report that the combination of twin-turbo V8 with instant electrical assistance on throttle is simply incredible. There is no lag, no hesitation, and all the while it’s as if the drivetrain is pure and naturally aspirated. Yet, the savagery underfoot matches that of battery electric acceleration. Wow, just wow, what a piece of engineering, Affalterbach.

THE VERDICT

At the end of the pass, adrenalin purged, we pull over for some photography with the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance and vanquished SL 63 sister. Together, their AMG Panamericana grilles, long forward prow and cabin-back stance are unmistakably attractive. The high-tech, opulent cabins are wonderful, too, with more computing power on board than a space agency. Of course, they’ve shared a platform since the last AMG GT and both therefore qualify as ultimate dream cars.

The SL 63 is for the exhibitionist in you and the Mercedes AMG 63 is if you love playing g-force dodgems with your internal organs. However, amongst their overflowing bag of talents, I’d proffer the real takeaway is how unintimidating they are to drive in every-day conditions. The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance shows that electrification isn’t something to shy away from. It can be utilised for all the right reasons in a super-sports-car application. And by Jove, if you could just keep it out of Race mode, it would be darn economical, too.