A Plug-In Hybrid With F1 Vibes

While you consider a plug-in hybrid, your thoughts doubtless goes to ideas of a Toyota Prius Prime or Jeep Wrangler 4xe. These automobiles are supposed to bridge the hole between pure EVs and conventional inner combustion, with the electrons going towards effectivity. Mercedes-AMG nonetheless, has one other take.

The 2024 AMG C 63 S E Efficiency would possibly technically be a PHEV, but it surely’s meant for high-performance driving—to hell with effectivity.

One Hardcore Hybrid

Photograph by: InsideEVs

The AMG C 63 S E Efficiency, which I’ll simply name the 63 E Efficiency for some semblance of brevity, options the world’s strongest 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which by itself produces 469 horsepower and 402 pound-feet of torque, and an electrical motor producing 203 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque on the rear axle. Working collectively the 2 produce 671 horsepower and 752 pound-feet of torque.

The 63 E Efficiency is taken into account a P3 hybrid with the electrical motor, two-speed transmission and limited-slip rear differential all mixed into one unit. Above the rear axle is the 196-pound, 6.1 kWh battery, though solely 4.8 kWh are usable. By PHEV requirements, that’s a fairly small battery, but it surely places within the work right here. 

And Mercedes applies some data gained by its F1 racing crew on each the electrical and ICE ends of the automobile. Just like the race automobile pushed by Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, the battery tucked away within the 63 E Efficiency is designed for fast energy output and regular temperatures. Mercedes says the 560-cell battery averages 113 levels Fahrenheit no matter charging cycles, because of a direct cooling system that circulates 3.7 gallons of coolant previous every cell, via a warmth exchanger after which out to a radiator. This helps the battery provide a gentle output of 94 horsepower, with a peak output of 201 horsepower for ten seconds. 

Photograph by: InsideEVs

On the ICE facet, the 63 E Efficiency takes some electrical turbocharger learnings from its F1 automobile and slaps it on this road-going techno-fest of a automobile. Primarily a tiny little electrical motor sits on the shaft between the exhaust wheel and consumption compressor. When the motive force asks for energy, the electrical motor engages, spinning the wheel and producing enhance till the exhaust gases can take over. The result’s nearly no turbo lag and a zero to sixty time of simply 3.3 seconds. 

Photograph by: InsideEVs

On The Highway

My take a look at drive takes place on the windy canyon roads in and round Malibu, California. Once I first get within the automobile I select Electrical mode. I’ve to maintain my foot gentle, because the automobile will swap to Consolation mode and have interaction the electrical motor if I would like extra energy. Nevertheless, on a crowded Pacific Coast Freeway, I can’t actually use extra ponies than the electrical motor offers. It’s straightforward to simply toddle alongside in silence.

Nevertheless, I gained’t toddle far. Bear in mind, it is a efficiency hybrid electrical automobile. I solely handle eight miles of all-electric driving earlier than the battery is depleted and the automobile bumps itself into Consolation mode and engages the gasoline engine. Nevertheless, I nonetheless don’t have all 671 ponies at my beck and name. Every drive mode offers restricted electrical energy. Consolation solely permits 25% of electrons to make it right down to all 4 wheels. 

Photograph by: InsideEVs

Once more, I’m nonetheless driving in site visitors so I’m not likely bothered about most energy. The journey here’s a bit floaty, skimming over damaged pavement easily with nary a jolt or bump making its approach into the cabin. It’s once I veer away from the ocean and up into the hills that I would like all of it.

I swap the drive mode setting to Sport to get 65% of the electrical motor. Mixed with the tightened suspension, steering and shift factors, it is a good option to do a reconnaissance run on this specific highway. No must go full ship in a automobile that’s not mine on a highway I’ve by no means pushed earlier than. I make just a few psychological notes, flip round on the prime and head again down.

Photograph by: InsideEVs

Now I can fiddle with the 4 ranges of regenerative braking. The automobile has already charged up the battery a bit, however the regen on the best way down tops it off. Degree 0 does nothing so I’m going to the alternative excessive and choose Degree 3. That is virtually like one-pedal driving, though it gained’t carry the 63 E Efficiency all the best way to a cease. Mercedes says on this mode the brakes can feed as much as 100 kW of power again into the battery. I’m undecided what number of kW I truly wanted, however my battery is full by the point I flip round and head again up.

Talking of charging, the onboard charger right here is simply 14 volts and might solely settle for A/C energy. Mercedes says it’s going to take about two hours to cost from a family outlet. Usually we encourage people to cost their PHEVs at dwelling to get most effectivity, however this battery expenses so quick by itself that is one PHEV you simply let do its personal factor.

Photograph by: InsideEVs

Now I swap to Sport+ for the sharpest dealing with and 85% of go-go juice from the electrical motor. I let it rip and what a journey. Along with all-wheel drive and a near-perfect weight distribution the 63 E Efficiency additionally has rear-wheel steering. On this canyon, it feels just like the automobile is pivoting round a middle axis. Flip-in is fast and it’s making me a greater driver than I doubtless need to be.

I’ve all the time cherished Mercedes’ responsive transmissions and this nine-speed isn’t any totally different. In Sport and Sport+ it downshifts on braking, making certain that I’m within the right gear to energy out of the flip. Mixed with the moment turbo energy and instant torque from the electrical motor, the automobile simply shoots out of the flip, hurtling in the direction of the following one with abandon.

Photograph by: InsideEVs

I attain a straight part of the highway and ground it. I imply, I actually slam my foot down, rather more aggressively than I’ve been doing within the turns. That’s once I really feel it. I’ve pushed previous the throttle kick down and now I’ve 100% energy from the electrical motor. I really feel the automobile leap ahead, setting my coronary heart aflutter just a bit bit as I notice that is fairly quick certainly.

These sorts of speeds are finest saved to tracks so I sluggish it down for the remainder of my drive. Nevertheless, the 63 E Efficiency does have a Race mode, an information logger for the monitor and shows for lap and sector occasions. The automobile even has 30 race tracks in its mind and is aware of the perfect part to provide the motive force full electrical energy. Drivers can set it to acquire a quick scorching lap or a number of persistently fast laps across the circuit. Mercedes says that sooner or later over 70 circuits will probably be out there for obtain.

Photograph by: InsideEVs

For individuals who actually need to slay tires, Drift mode may be activated in Sport, Sport+ and Race modes and push all the facility to the rear wheels. I don’t get an opportunity to attempt it out however one thing tells me the pc will get the job achieved and permit the automobile to do some significantly smoky drifts.

My solely quibble with my driving expertise are within the brakes. With spirited driving, they really feel overboosted and I’m not fairly positive simply how a lot power I’m exerting on the pedal. I’ve one panic second the place I believe I’ve misjudged, the nook gaining prominence in my eyes alarmingly quick, however I belief the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires and all-wheel drive. The recent rod kicks understeer to the curb, a lot to my aid.

My brief testing stint is just not sufficient to get an excellent learn on gasoline economic system, however Mercedes says the 63 E Efficiency returns 41 MPGe within the metropolis and 39 MPGe on the freeway. Examine that to your conventional PHEVs just like the Prius Prime that may get 127 MPGe mixed and even the 73 MPGe mixed from the BMW 330e, then yeah… Mercedes doesn’t appear to provide a hoot about gasoline economic system right here.

Photograph by: InsideEVs

In fact, there’s extra to this automobile than simply efficiency. On the finish of the day, it’s nonetheless a Mercedes with luxurious leather-based and inside trim and loads of tech. All Mercedes AMG C 63 S E Efficiency vehicles get a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and an 11.9-inch heart display operating the MBUX infotainment system. By and huge, this tech is simple to grasp, though some would possibly discover the management buttons on the steering wheel a bit of finicky to make use of. Luckily, drivers can simply use their voice or the touchscreen. Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are each right here as are ambient lighting and heated entrance seats.

My tester has just a few extras like ventilated seats and the motive force help bundle with adaptive cruise management, lane change help, blind spot help and the like. You too can add carbon fiber, efficiency entrance seats, 20-inch wheels, spiffy design accents and extra.

The beginning worth sits at 20. I hardly even tried and I bought my dream 63 E Efficiency to simply over $100,000 on the producer’s configurator together with $1,150 for vacation spot. Expensive? Positive, however not dangerous in any respect for what you get right here.

Photograph by: InsideEVs

Early Verdict: Who Wants A Supercar?

Mercedes is just not alone in utilizing the plug for efficiency. The Ferrari SF90 Stradale, Lamborghini Revuelto and McLaren Arutura are all PHEVs that use electrical energy for go-fast shenanigans, however you’ll pay an astronomical worth for the privilege of proudly owning one. You might have a look at efficiency hybrids with out the plug just like the Corvette E-Ray or Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid fashions for comparatively extra inexpensive electrification, however these too begin at over $100,000.

Photograph by: InsideEVs

Whereas Mercedes has loads of pure-electric automobiles to select from, its solely plug-in choices are performance-oriented. The know-how is presently out there on the S Class, SL Roadster, GT 4-Door Coupe and it’s coming quickly to the GT. For individuals who need a extra conventional PHEV, the GLC will probably be supplied with a 24.8 kWh battery and as much as 80 miles of all-electric vary for the 2025 mannequin 12 months.

The 2024 Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Efficiency is out there at dealerships now. It’s a strong sedan with modern know-how that provides you a little bit of that supercar punch with out the excessive six-figure hit to your pockets.

Emme is a former options editor at CNET Vehicles. She follows cool tales anyplace she will be able to, from Michigan to Mexico, Morocco to Mongolia. You may observe her adventures on Instagram @yeahemme.