Mercedes-Benz SA has been on a high-performance product offensive in recent months. As a result the company has released four top-end Mercedes-AMGs into the local market. We were invited to try out each one of these high-performance derivatives from the power factory at Affalterbach. The line-up includes the E53 super saloon, the sleek and menacing CLE53, the high-speed hairdryer that is the SL63 and the rip-snorting GT63 S E-performance.
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The Mercedes-AMG E53 Hybrid 4Matai+ – Back To AMG’s Roots
The first car we got our hands on for the day was the Mercedes-AMG E53. This is, spiritually speaking, the most recent of the cars that started AMG history. A large saloon with a powerful engine is where the brand laid its roots.
Click here to read our Mercedes-Benz E220d driving review.
The E53 has a number of specific styling element to help it stand out from its siblings. First up is the AMG-specific radiator trim with vertical slats. Furthermore, these elements are illuminated as standard. The front front fenders are 11 mm wider to accommodate wider alloys. AMG-specific side skirts sit between massive alloys; 19-inch as standard and up to 21s as an option. A lip spoiler on the trunk lid and diffuser with quad exhaust outlets are the rear definers.
Power is derived from a 3,0-litre six-cylinder inline turbocharged engine with a hybrid component. In total, the two forms of power combine to deliver a peak of 450 kW and a maximum torque value of 750 N.m. The 120 kW/480 N.m electric motor is powered by a 28,6 kWh battery. The latter can be charged independently from a charger or wall outlet. As a result it can be driven for up to 100 km on battery power alone.
The E53 really feels like an AMG of old. It provides a plush interior, relatively smooth ride and has oodles of power. It’s real iron-fist-in-velvet-glove stuff. It can potter around in comfort and really turn up the pace when required. Mercedes says it can blast from standstill to 100 km/h in a shade under four seconds…
Mercedes-AMG CLE53 4Matic+ Coupe – A Sporting Edge
The second car on our driving list was the CLE53. This coupe is overtly more sport in nature with buff fenders and race-inspired alloys. From the double domes on the bonnet to the quad tailpipes, you know this car means business, particularly in the menacing shade of matt black we had access to. The CLE Coupe is already a sexy car, the AMG treatment gives it a whole new edge of aggro.
The E53 has the same 3,0-litre inline-six as mentioned above also with a hybrid component. With a smaller hybrid system the M256M engine has peak power of 330 kW along with a maximum torque value of 600 N.m. A nine-speed automatic transmission sends power to all four wheels similar to the saloon. The Mercedes-AMG CLE53 Coupe is said to sprint from 0-100 km/h in 4,2 seconds. The top speed is limited to 250 km/h, but that can be lifted to 270 km/h.
The Coupe feels sporty from the get-go. It turns, handles and responds with a level of alacrity that reminds of the older C63S, but with the added security blanket of an AWD system; much needed on the rain-soaked roads of our morning drive.
Mercedes-AMG SL63 – Blowing Back Your Hair
SL was the traditional badge carried by the highest performance derivatives of the Mercedes range. This goes back to the all-conquering 300SLs of the 1950s. The latest in the long line of high-performance SLs is the SL63. In keeping with tradition, the SL is a roadster. The soft top can be raised and lowered in just 15 seconds at speeds of up to 60 km/h.
The SL63 is fitted with an evolution of AMG’s well known twin-turbocharged V8. In this guise it develops a healthy 430 kW of power and maximum torque of 800 N.m. A nine-speed automatic transmission is the sole option. An all-wheel-drive system helps harness that power. As a result the SL63 can blitz the benchmark 100 km/h sprint in 3,6 seconds. It has a hair-raising 315 km/h top speed.
We did not expect the SL63 to possess the athleticism that it fed back to us during a ‘spirited’ drive along the world-famous Clarens Drive. The return journey from our lunchtime stop was against the flow of traffic and we go to use dollops of the SL’s power, enjoys its active rear-wheel steering system and lean on its extensive levels of grip through the twisty ocean road. It feels, responds and behaves very much like a sportscar, even if it has no roof.
Mercedes-AMG GT63 S E-performance – the 911 Hunter
At the very top of the AMG family tree (F1-powered AMG One aside) that one can purchase at the moment is the Mercedes-AMG GT63 S E-performance. The sporting coupe is the most menacing of the current line-up. It may share a platform with the SL, but the GT’s appearance is pure sportscar. The long bonnet and short rump keep up the design theme we first saw with the SLS, incidentally the first car developed entirely by AMG. A deep chin spoiler hides active aero equipment that works in conjunction with the rear spoiler to aid stability at high speed.
The GT63S is also powered by a 4,0-litre twin-turbo V8. In this case the ICE produces 450 kW. In addition it features a high-degree of electrification. Mercedes says the GT63S produces 600 kW and a whopping 1 420 N.m of torque. Power is directed to all four wheels, as now seems the AMG way. As a result it can blast from rest to 100 km/h in just 2,8 seconds.
Time behind the wheel of the turbocharged AWD monster was expletive filled as my co-pilot and I both had to reset our driving styles and brains to deal with the relentless pace of the mad Merc. It is brutal off the line with the launch mode engaged, but that is sort of expected. It’s in-gear acceleration and overtaking abilities makes one reevaluate just how much of space one needs to make a safe pass, even on the tight confines of Franschhoek Pass.
On that beautiful ribbon of tarmac the GT63S also showed that it is more than capable of tackling just about every shape of corner at speed. Mercedes went down this road some years ago, aiming to take on its rear-engined rival from Stuttgart. While that car is still the benchmark in the class, the GT63S feels as though it can go toe-to-toe with the likes of the 911 Turbo S in just about all aspects of the performance envelope.
Four Top-End Mercedes-AMGs Pricing
CLE53 4Matic+ Coupé: R2 065 982
E53 Hybrid 4Matic+: R2 499 596
SL63: R3 943 156
GT63S E-Performance: R4 369 287