With the launch of the high-performance PHEV model of the Mercedes-AMG S 63 E Efficiency, the rivalry between BMW and Mercedes goes to a brand new stage. Who builds probably the most influential luxurious PHEV limousine? A parallel between the Mercedes-AMG S 63 E Efficiency and the BMW M760e xDrive.
The PHEV fashions had been designed as a compromise between the combustion engine and electrical fashions. They goal to supply electrical vary within the metropolis and permit lengthy journeys with out the stress of stopping at charging stations. However producers are utilizing PHEV powertrains not solely to attain higher electrical vary but in addition to develop high-performance fashions.
Particularly, Mercedes has a PHEV luxurious limousine, the S 580e 4Matic, which affords a WLTP electrical vary of 116 km. However there’s all the time an AMG model; on this case, the Mercedes-AMG division affords a high-performance mannequin, the Mercedes-AMG S 63 E Efficiency, with a a lot shorter electrical vary of solely 33 km however way more energy.
The brand new Mercedes-AMG S 63 E Efficiency can be a response to BMW’s new 7 Collection PHEV, which is obtainable as an M Efficiency model known as the M 760e xDrive. Each fashions are solely out there within the prolonged model. By the way, the brand new technology BMW Collection is simply provided within the prolonged model with a wheelbase of 3215 mm, only one mm shorter than the Mercedes-AMG.
The 2 fashions have very related dimensions: At 5,336 mm lengthy, 1,921 mm large, and 1,515 mm excessive, the Mercedes-AMG S 63 E Efficiency is 55 mm shorter, 29 mm narrower, and 29 mm much less tall than the BMW 7 Collection. Surprisingly, the BMW 7 Collection is extra huge than the imposing S-Class and heavier. It’s an disagreeable premiere the truth that a BMW is heavier than a Mercedes.
The BMW M760e xDrive is heavier than the S 580 e 4Matic: 2,525 kg in comparison with solely 2,400 kg within the Mercedes S 580 e 4Matic, which has a bigger battery. In distinction, the AMG model is heavier, weighing 2595 kg. The additional weight is because of the V8 engine, whereas the S 580 e 4Matic and M760e xDrive use an inline 6-cylinder engine.
On the opposite facet, the Mercedes-AMG S 63 E Efficiency has a way more highly effective and really completely different powertrain than the M760e xDrive. If we go strictly by the numbers, Mercedes combines a 4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine with 612 hp and 900 Nm with an electrical motor creating 190 hp and 320 Nm leading to 802 hp and 1430 Nm. By comparability, the BMW M760e xDrive has a 3-liter inline-six engine producing 381 hp and 520 Nm coupled with an electrical motor creating 197 kW and 280 Nm, leading to 571 hp and 800 Nm.
At first look, the distinction between the 2 fashions is big, 231 hp and 630 Nm! However the efficiency figures don’t mirror this distinction in energy and torque. The Mercedes-AMG accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.3 seconds, simply 1 second sooner than the BMW.
In distinction, the M760e xDrive’s 22.1/18.7 kWh gross/web capability battery provides it a WLTP electrical vary of 84 km, whereas the Mercedes-AMG can solely go electrical for 33 km, having a smaller 13.1 kWh gross capability battery.
Those that need to go extra electrical ought to select the S 580e 4Matic model, which comes with a bigger battery, with a gross/web capability of 28.6 kWh/21.6 kWh giving it an prolonged vary of 112 km. However with mixed energy and torque of 510 hp and 750 Nm, this model takes 5.2 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h.
Mercedes S 580 e 4Matic affords a transparent benefit after we go to the charging station. It’s the solely mannequin which may cost at DC stations with as much as 60 kW. BMW M 760e xDrive and Mercedes-AMG S 63 E Efficiency supply charging at AC stations solely, as much as 7.4 kW and three.7 kW, respectively.
Returning to the Mercedes-AMG S 63 E Efficiency, the powertrain is solely completely different from the BMW M760e xDrive. Within the BMW, the electrical motor is situated between the combustion engine and the 8-speed computerized transmission whereas the ability is transmitted to all 4 wheels.
The AMG mannequin makes use of an electrified rear axle (P3 Hybrid system) with the electrical motor situated on the rear axle and linked to the rear differential by way of a two-speed computerized transmission. The dual-turbo V8 combustion engine transmits energy to the rear axle by way of a cardan shaft, and a multi-disc clutch transfers torque to the entrance axle when wanted. Mercedes says the administration of the hybrid system is designed in order that the battery isn’t absolutely discharged, so the electrical motor runs repeatedly.
However the design with the electrical motor situated on the rear axle and the battery mounted above the axle dramatically impacts boot quantity. It is just 305 liters within the Mercedes-AMG versus 525 liters within the BMW M760e xDrive. And this appreciable distinction comes because the BMW’s 28.6 kWh gross battery capability is greater than double that of the Mercedes-AMG’s, which has solely 13.1 kWh gross.
However even when we examine it to the S 580e 4 Matic model, which has the same propulsion system to the M760e Xdrive, the Mercedes’ boot is way smaller: solely 350 liters. In distinction, the S 580e’s battery has a barely bigger capability: 28.6 kWh gross in comparison with 22.1 kWh gross within the BMW.
We’ve got but to study costs. We solely know that the Mercedes S 580 e prices 135,553 euros, and we anticipate the BMW to value about the identical or just a few thousand euros extra. In distinction, the Mercedes-AMG S 63 E Efficiency will value round 200,000 euros, contemplating the AMG GT 4 doorways coupe value 199,015 euros.
Mercedes S 580 e 4Matic Mercedes-AMG S 63 E PerformanceBMW M760e xDrive
Engine kind, no. of cylindersL/6, turboV8, bi-turboL6, turbo
Displacement (cc)3,0003,9822,998
Max. output/revs (PS/rpm)367/5,500-6,100612/5,500-6,500381/5,200-6,250
Max. torque (Nm/rpm)500/1,600-4,500900/2,500-4,000520/1,800-5,000
Electrical motor
Max. output (PS)150190197
Max. torque (Nm)480320280
Mixed energy (PS)510802571
Mixed torque (Nm)7501430800
L x w x h (mm)5,289 x 1,921 x 1,503 5,336 x 1,921 x 1,5155,391 x 1,950 x 1,544
Wheelbase (mm)3,2163,2163,215
Kerbweight (kg) kg2,4002,5952,525
Boot quantity (l)350305525
Tank (l)677665
Battery capability (brutto/netto) 28.6/21.713.122.1/18.7
AC/DC cost (kW)11/603.77.4
Acceleration 0–100 km/h s5.23.34.3
High pace (km/h)250250250
Gas consumption (l/100 km)0.64.41.1
Electrical vary (km)1123384
CO2 emissions (g/km)1410025