Photo: CarPix
As the largest and most luxurious sedan in the Mercedes-Benz lineup, the S-Class has been seen as the standard of the world since almost forever, with each generation pushing the limits of technology and luxury even further.
We can pretty much say the same thing about the Sonderklasse’s AMG versions, although they have been seen mostly as luxurious muscle cars instead of innovative super sedans until now.
That will soon change, because Mercedes-AMG is about to reinvent the wheel when it comes to hybrid performance vehicles.
Sure, you could say that AMG’s hybrid odyssey first started with the current ‘53’ models, which use a 48V mild-hybrid system and an electric compressor substituting for a regular turbocharger.
Well, that is nothing compared to what 2021 is going to bring when it comes to electrified performance in the AMG lineup, though. We will first get a preview of what is to come when the mid-cycle facelift of the GT Four-Door is unveiled in the Summer.
Pairing the twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 with a powerful electric motor, the total output of the tentatively named Mercedes-AMG GT 73 is expected to sit at around 805 horsepower (816 PS).
Why do we mention the GT Four-Door in a piece about the 2022 Mercedes-AMG S-Class, you ask? Well, that plug-in hybrid beast powering it will also be found on other Mercedes models, including the SL 73 and the S 73, which was recently spotted cold-weather testing in northern Sweden.
Unlike other hybrid or plug-in hybrid Mercs, the 73 will have a 201-horsepower (204 PS) electric motor sitting behind the gearbox, connected directly to the rear axle.
Able to power the car on its own, thanks to a 20-kWh lithium-ion battery, the positioning of the electric motor is a lot better suited for a performance car.
Since it’s located behind the transmission, the maximum torque input of the gearbox does not limit the power of the motor, and energy recuperation is much more efficient since there are no mechanical losses.
With all-wheel-drive and so much combined output, you can pretty much guess that the Mercedes-AMG S 73 will be more than a worthy successor to the V12-powered S 65. Under 3-second 0-100 kph (62 mph) acceleration times should be expected, making it the quickest production S-Class of all time without using as much fuel as before.
That will soon change, because Mercedes-AMG is about to reinvent the wheel when it comes to hybrid performance vehicles.
Sure, you could say that AMG’s hybrid odyssey first started with the current ‘53’ models, which use a 48V mild-hybrid system and an electric compressor substituting for a regular turbocharger.
Well, that is nothing compared to what 2021 is going to bring when it comes to electrified performance in the AMG lineup, though. We will first get a preview of what is to come when the mid-cycle facelift of the GT Four-Door is unveiled in the Summer.
Pairing the twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 with a powerful electric motor, the total output of the tentatively named Mercedes-AMG GT 73 is expected to sit at around 805 horsepower (816 PS).
Why do we mention the GT Four-Door in a piece about the 2022 Mercedes-AMG S-Class, you ask? Well, that plug-in hybrid beast powering it will also be found on other Mercedes models, including the SL 73 and the S 73, which was recently spotted cold-weather testing in northern Sweden.
Unlike other hybrid or plug-in hybrid Mercs, the 73 will have a 201-horsepower (204 PS) electric motor sitting behind the gearbox, connected directly to the rear axle.
Able to power the car on its own, thanks to a 20-kWh lithium-ion battery, the positioning of the electric motor is a lot better suited for a performance car.
Since it’s located behind the transmission, the maximum torque input of the gearbox does not limit the power of the motor, and energy recuperation is much more efficient since there are no mechanical losses.
With all-wheel-drive and so much combined output, you can pretty much guess that the Mercedes-AMG S 73 will be more than a worthy successor to the V12-powered S 65. Under 3-second 0-100 kph (62 mph) acceleration times should be expected, making it the quickest production S-Class of all time without using as much fuel as before.
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