The new Mercedes SL 63 S E Performance looks aggressive, and a lot less cumbersome than its name. It’s also now the most powerful Mercedes SL that we have – and while you may instantly consider this is just another nostalgic swansong for the combustion engine, it’s not quite that.
Mercedes SL 63 SE in matte, satin green
Mercedes SL 63 S E – V8 Hybrid
The Mercedes SL 63 S E comes to us as a hybrid with, naturally enough, a powerful V8 engine alongside an electric motor.
The SL 63 hybrid runs with a hefty 805bhp and 1,045lb ft torque, with the rear axle-placed electric motor itself pushing out 201bhp, with the 4-litre bi-turbo V8 engine achieving 604bhp.
You seldom get the best of both worlds, but with those technical numerical figures, who could possibly complain?
It’s a good setup and allows the SL 63 hybrid to run from 0-62mph in a paltry 2.9 seconds – imagine that. Once you get going, top speed sits at 197mph.
Mercedes-AMG Formula One Battery Tech
The SL 63 powertrain powers a 6.1kWh battery which is based on tech from the Formula 1 Mercedes-AMG. Mercedes says that the package was designed to allow very fast power delivery, which does compromise somewhat on range.
Eight SL 63 S E Performance Driving Modes
Driving the Mercedes SL 63 S E Performance offers up eight driving modes. We have available; Battery Hold, Electric, Smoothness, Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Individual and Race.
With 8 driving modes, the Mercedes SL 63 S E Performance will suit every kind of driver.
It’s quite a lot to get your head around while also concentrating on driving, if you can customise everything into Individual for your regular journeys, then you can relax.
An Icon
Michael Schiebe, Mercedes’ AMG leader, says that the Mercedes SL is an icon and the new SL 63 S E Performance is clearly part of that – indeed, superseding some of what has gone before.
It looks fantastic; aggressive and yet aerodynamically sleek, with big thanks to that excellent paintjob and the complimentary black trim. It looks like a car that will look better the more you observe at it.
So, what is the next step? I would imagine that, with the SL 63 S E Performance being a pretty much guaranteed success, Mercedes will already be looking at a fully electric version that can pack the same punch for the future – hopefully in satin green and black
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