22:05 17-05-2026

Mercedes-AMG S 63 E Performance Prototype Spotted at Nürburgring

Spied Mercedes-AMG S 63 E Performance prototype at Nürburgring shows new grille, rear diffuser, ducktail spoiler. May get new flat-plane crank V8 hybrid.

Mercedes-Benz has already updated the standard S-Class, and now the turn has come for the most aggressive version from Affalterbach. A prototype of the Mercedes-AMG S 63 E Performance, likely for the 2027 or 2028 model year, was caught on camera at the Nürburgring and on nearby roads.

Even under heavy camouflage, the AMG variant clearly differs from the regular S-Class. Up front, there's a new take on the Panamericana grille with vertical slats—similar in shape to the standard sedan's but more aggressive. The side intakes and lower bumper duct are also revised. At the rear, the differences are even more apparent. The S 63 keeps its four square exhaust tips, a classic AMG 63 hallmark, now integrated into a larger, more aggressive diffuser.

A neat ducktail spoiler has appeared on the trunk lid, and the test cars ride on special wheels with upgraded brakes and retuned suspension. On the Nürburgring, the big sedan looked composed. This is still a flagship S-Class, but AMG is clearly aiming for more than straight-line speed. The car corners more tightly than you'd expect from a full-size luxury sedan, though its full potential will only be revealed at the official launch.

The big question is the powertrain. The updated Mercedes-AMG S 63 is expected to feature a new 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with a flat-plane crankshaft. Exact specs are still under wraps.

The current S 63 E Performance delivers 802 hp and 1,430 Nm from its hybrid setup. It sprints to 100 km/h in just over 3 seconds and tops out at 290 km/h. If AMG retains the hybrid system and adds the new V8, the updated S 63 could become even sharper in response and more characterful in sound. For a car like this, that's crucial: buyers pay not just for performance figures but for the experience of a true AMG heart beating under the hood.

The new S 63 once again plays on contrast. On the outside, it's a stately large Mercedes, almost calm and elegant. But once the V8 comes to life, the flagship sedan transforms into a machine that feels as at home on the Nürburgring as it does in front of a five-star hotel.