In the world of luxury automobiles, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class has long been the "North Star." It is the car that traditionally introduces the technology we’ll all be using in a decade, think ABS, airbags, and voice control. The S-Class has always been the standard that every other luxury car in its class aims for when it comes to luxury features and the latest technology.But with the latest S-Class from the AMG division, they might have just created another segment with this car. Mercedes isn’t just looking ten years ahead - they’ve created a vehicle that defies the current expectations of what a luxury sedan can and should be. By merging the opulence of a rolling boardroom with the brutal force of a V8 and an electrified powertrain derived from Formula 1, Mercedes-AMG has built a "super-sedan" for an era the world wasn't quite ready for. The Latest S63 E-Performance Is The Most Powerful S-Class In History Mercedes-AMG The S-Class has always been the undisputed king of the executive segment, fending off rivals like the BMW 7 Series and Audi A8 with a mixture of grace, power and technological superiority. Its technology alone surpasses ultra-luxury cars from brands like Rolls-Royce and Bentley. However, the "63" badge from AMG suddenly turns this docile luxury cruiser into a true luxury performance machine capable of challenging any sports car it comes in contact with.With the new E-Performance, it's like they turned on the afterburners on this car, and it suddenly can now compete with supercars. While rivals are moving toward smaller engines and more passive hybrid systems, AMG went the other way, doubling down on V8 power supplemented by an F1-inspired electric drive unit. This combination has given birth to the most powerful S-Class in history.To give a perspective of how the S63 E-Performance leaps ahead of its predecessors, the most powerful version of the previous S-Class was the twin-turbo V12-powered Maybach, pushing 621 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque. The new S63 makes 170 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque more than its most powerful predecessor, which is a huge jump. From 2005 to date, the most powerful S-Class models have made between 604–621 horsepower, but the new S63 is making almost 800 horsepower. Supercar-Level Performance In An Ultra Luxury Car Mercedes-AMG Under the hood sits a handcrafted 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, which produces 603 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque which is the same output as the previus S53 AMG, and this powertrain can be found in the current S680. But the real magic is at the rear axle. There, you’ll find a 140 kW (188 hp) electric motor integrated with a two-speed gearbox and an electronically controlled rear-axle differential. This isn't a hybrid designed just for fuel economy, it's a "Performance Hybrid" designed for instant torque and soul-crushing acceleration.Combined with the electric motor, this beast now makes a whopping 791 horsepower and 1,055 pound-feet of torque, which are just ridiculous numbers for a car that's meant to be a luxury vehicle. These numbers are the same as super GTs like Ferrari 812 Superfast, Aston Martin Vanquish, and Bentley Continental GT Speed. This 6,000-Pound Luxury Barge Defies Physics Mercedes-AMGOn paper, the S 63 E-Performance is a giant. Weighing in at roughly 5,877 lbs (2,665 kg), it weighs more than many full-sized pickup trucks. But this is where its power and technology compensate for its mass. In a straight line, the sensation of 1,055 lb-ft of torque moving that much mass feels effortless, smooth, and most importantly, supercar-level fast. If you were blindfolded and put in this car under full acceleration, you may never be able to tell you were in such a big vehicle with the sensation of speed you would feel. It doesn't just accelerate, it moves the earth beneath it.But the real shock comes when the road gets twisty. You would expect a big luxury limo like this to feel floaty and less direct, but thanks to the AMG Active Ride Control (active roll stabilization) and standard rear-axle steering, the car effectively "shrinks" around the driver. The rear wheels turn up to 2.5 degrees, allowing this 17-foot-long limo to pivot through corners with the agility of a C-Class. It rides almost as flat as any sports car and turns with the urgency of one. It may not be the car you would want to take on a canyon drive, but it would be pretty comfortable in that environment. How It Compares To Luxury Cars In Its Class Mercedes-AMG When stacked against its peers, the S 63 E-Performance exists in a vacuum. The BMW M760e is a magnificent machine, but its inline-six hybrid setup produces "only" 563 hp, which is nearly 230 hp less than the Merc. Even the most powerful electric version still makes only 650 horsepower and has been optimized mainly for comfort and effortless power, not performance. The Audi S8 offers a more traditional V8 experience with a mild-hybrid assist, but still only makes 571 horsepower. It lacks the futuristic electric "shove" that makes the AMG feel like it's being pushed by an invisible hand.In terms of performance and opulence, the S63 E-performance is leagues above its supposed rivals and propels itself into its own unique space where no other contender exists. While the Bentley Flying Spur Speed offers similar prestige, it cannot match the sheer digital complexity, innovation, raw speed, and aggressiveness of the S 63 E-Performance. The S63 E-Performance Has A Dual Personality Mercedes-AMG The beauty of the S 63 E Performance is that it is not a "race car for the road" in the way a GT3 RS is. In its "Electric" or "Comfort" modes, it is as docile and silent as a library. It glides over potholes with a magic carpet ride, and the cabin remains a sanctuary of Nappa leather, 4D sound systems, and massaging seats.However, flick the steering wheel dial to Sport+, and the car undergoes a Jekyll-and-Hyde transformation. The V8 bark becomes a roar, the suspension stiffens, and the hybrid system prepares to dump every available kilowatt of power the moment your foot twitches. It is a world-class super sedan that can win a drag race on Sunday and drive a CEO to a board meeting on Monday without breaking a sweat. The Spiritual Ancestor Of The Original AMG-Powered S-Class Mercedes-AMG This duality isn't new, it’s baked into the DNA of AMG. The S 63 E Performance is the spiritual successor to the legendary 1971 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.8 AMG, affectionately known as the "Red Pig." Back then, two former Mercedes-Benz engineers took a heavy, wood-trimmed luxury sedan, bored out the engine, and entered it into the 24 Hours of Spa. The world laughed until the giant sedan finished second overall, beating lightweight sports cars. The S 63 E-Performance is not a race car, but it carries that same ethos, proving that luxury and lap times are not mutually exclusive. The Future Of High Performance Mercedes-AMG The S 63 E-Performance marks a turning point for luxury barges like this. We are leaving the era where "performance" was measured solely by displacement, as seen by new electric and hybrid supercars. The "63" badge now represents a complex, high-tech machine where software, battery management, and thermal cooling are just as important as the engine itself. This car is a laboratory on wheels.The technology used to cool the battery cells individually is the same tech Lewis Hamilton used in his F1 car. It may not seem out of place in high-end supercars and even some of the best hypercars of the modern era, but a luxury sedan is a different ballgame. By putting this in a sedan before the world was fully ready to embrace "performance hybrids," Mercedes has staked its claim as the leader of the next decade. The S63 E-Performance Is A "Bargain" Mercedes-AMG When new, a 2024–2026 S 63 E Performance carries an MSRP starting around $182,000 to $190,000, often climbing past $210,000 with options like the Manufaktur interior or Carbon Fiber packages. However, for the savvy enthusiast, the used market is where the story gets interesting. Historically, high-end S-Classes suffer from steep initial depreciation, which makes them great deals if you're willing to wait a bit.In the current market, 2024 vehicles have an average price of $134,400 with around 10,000 miles, which are still pretty new cars. It still has some of the best and latest technology in its class. A good buying tip is to look for CPO (Certified Pre-Owned) models to extend the warranty. The complexity of the P3 Hybrid system means you'll want the peace of mind that comes with factory backing. This car ticks every box when it comes to luxury features and takes it a step further with performance that matches current supercars, and for the price, it may offer the best valueSources: Mercedes-Benz, JD Power