Latest news with #Mercedes-BenzPress
The South African
23-07-2025
- Automotive
- The South African
POWER broker: Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance driven
Ahead of me is a convoy of Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance super sports cars, on the world-famous Clarence Drive near Gordon's Bay. Along for the ride is the new SL 63 and CLE 53. It's a regular AMG Christmas in July. The concept behind the event was for media to sample a selection of the latest AMG products. In reverse power order, there's the six-cylinder 48V mild-hybrid CLE 53 AMG with 330 kW and 600 Nm. Then the AMG SL 63 Roadster (non-hybrid) twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8, good for 430 kW and 800 Nm. And finally, the top dog Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance with a scarcely believable 600 kW and 1 420 Nm of torque, aided by a 6.1 kWh plug-in battery on top of its twin-turbo V8. So, let's get driving … The fixed rear wing, 21-inch wheels and more aggressive bodywork takes the AMG GT's aesthetics up a notch. Image: Mercedes-Benz Press We pull hard through a series of sweeping bends towards a tight hairpin surrounded by unforgiving rock. Ahead of me is the SL 63 Roadster, which is certainly no hairdryer with its force-fed V8 guffawing at maximum voice. I've got the best bucket seat in the house as we attack the famed coast road that once played host to the Mercedes SLR world launch. Double-clutch transmissions rata-tata up and down shifts like a pair of intoxicated drum majorettes … Our duo roars in happy unison in the damp conditions, until the SL enters the next hairpin too cautiously and I line up alongside. The road is clear of traffic all the way around, so I squeeze the throttle and trust the Michelin Cup rubber is warm enough to grip up. Boy, does it ever! The electric-boosted Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance performs its teleportation trick and I slingshot tens of metres ahead in the blink of an eye. I drop anchor hard in the next hairpin with the standard carbon ceramic brakes and shove my surrounds into reverse. This gains me yet more distance on my open-top pursuer. This is exciting! Any worries the new-generation AMG GT would be too soft has been well and truly eliminated. Image: Mercedes-Benz Press Beyond the awe-inspiring figures – zero to 100 km/h in 2.8 seconds and 320 km/h plus top speed, the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance is simply a joy to drive. It clings hard to the tarmac with active aerodynamics, in the form of a movable front chin spoiler. There is a multi-mode traction control system so you can dial in just the right amount of electronic aid for the conditions. And rear-wheel steering helps pinch your line in tight corners and stabilise the chassis in the fast stuff. Now, in clear air with glorious open road ahead, I pin the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance's ears back. I trust the brute and I'm well and truly up to speed. The steering in Race mode is tight, suspension taut like a freshly tuned guitar string. We flow like electrified mercury, with speed and physics my guide. And allow me to report that the combination of twin-turbo V8 with instant electrical assistance on throttle is simply incredible. There is no lag, no hesitation, and all the while it's as if the drivetrain is pure and naturally aspirated. Yet, the savagery underfoot matches that of battery electric acceleration. Wow, just wow, what a piece of engineering, Affalterbach. The only part of the AMG super sports car most will get to see on the road. Image: Mercedes-Benz Press At the end of the pass, adrenalin purged, we pull over for some photography with the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance and vanquished SL 63 sister. Together, their AMG Panamericana grilles, long forward prow and cabin-back stance are unmistakably attractive. The high-tech, opulent cabins are wonderful, too, with more computing power on board than a space agency. Of course, they've shared a platform since the last AMG GT and both therefore qualify as ultimate dream cars. The SL 63 is for the exhibitionist in you and the Mercedes AMG 63 is if you love playing g-force dodgems with your internal organs. However, amongst their overflowing bag of talents, I'd proffer the real takeaway is how unintimidating they are to drive in every-day conditions. The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance shows that electrification isn't something to shy away from. It can be utilised for all the right reasons in a super-sports-car application. And by Jove, if you could just keep it out of Race mode, it would be darn economical, too. Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance (600 kW & 1 420 Nm) – R4 369 287 Mercedes-AMG SL 63 Roadster (430 kW & 800 Nm) – R3 943 156 Mercedes-AMG E 53 Hybrid (450 kW & 750 Nm) – R2 499 596 Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 (330 kW & 600 Nm) – R2 065 982 Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news. Pic: Peter Frost
The South African
26-04-2025
- Automotive
- The South African
Diamonds from diesel: Mercedes-Benz E220d ‘hypermile' test
We appreciate that 'hypermiling' the brand-new Mercedes-Benz E220d is a contradiction in terms. It's a bit like going to a Michelin-star restaurant and then counting calories. Or vacationing in a 17th century castle and sleeping in the basement to not wear out the Egyptian-cotton bedding. However, it's not as contradictory as you might think. Because as ornate and luxurious as the Mercedes-Benz E220d is, at heart, it's still a hypermiling hero. Some of the longest drives I've ever done on a single tank were in E220d forebears. So, how does the new one get on? Cape Town to Arniston before breakfast has the Mercedes-Benz E220d twiddling its thumbs. Image: Ray Leathern Well, feather-footing the Mercedes-Benz E220d through the Western Cape's Overstrand region, I'm watching the fuel consumption like it's a Netflix finale. You see, the Mercedes-Benz E220d and its economy credentials are beyond repute. Therefore, it's more a test of the driver's patience as to how restrained you keep your right foot. Although, I've been around long enough to appreciate just how far eco technology has come over the decades. Manufacturer claims versus real-world results used to be loosely acquainted. Nowadays, however, there is so much technology to actually help you attain great fuel economy. The Mercedes engineers want you to squirrel away every last drop of diesel potential with their latest EQ Boost, 48-volt mild-hybrid technology. Flick the car into Efficiency mode and it turns into a superhero. No jokes, Eco is the new Sport mode. As I shall in a moment … Even the front passenger has their own screen. However, a Big Brother camera is watching all the time. Image: Mercedes-Benz Press I choose to point the Mercedes-Benz E220d and its elegant prow towards the Overstrand. Because, one, free-flowing open road. And, two, I just love how undulating and curving the roads are. If there's anywhere to find out whether this oil-burning executive express can deliver on its promises, it's here. Upon first inspection, the latest E220d has evolved into a properly handsome luxury sedan. It's refreshingly restrained with no swage lines and creases to distract from its powerful silhouette. Instead, there's a dignified simplicity that's both traditional and contemporary. The shape is also exceedingly aerodynamic. The front grille lights up, too. Bonus! Inside, the latest MBUX system ensure the three screens up front are a complete tech-fest. Their resolution would embarrass any Nu Metro cinema. And yet, the cabin still feels traditional, usable and not overwhelming. Of course, the seats are supremely comfortable, which is important when you're spending many hours in the saddle. The luxurious Merc would keep going, if it weren't for the road ending. Ah well, must simply turn back. Image: Ray Leathern En route, I've got the Mercedes-Benz E220d in its not-so-secret Efficiency mode. The 48-volt system doesn't just power ancillaries or provide instant boost when you plant your foot, it's the key to its 'lift-and-coast' functionality. Essentially, when you crest a rise and lift off the throttle, the car decouples the engine, and you sail along using no fuel at all. However, the genius is you actually gain a lot of speed in this phase. Much more than if you kept the cruise control active. It's like a whole new way to drive a luxury vehicle. And it's completely eco-friendly … and very fun. Past Caledon, I turn onto the R316, and that's where the E-Class starts to show its true genius. The road toward Napier is a rhythmic symphony of undulations and fast sweeping bends. It's no wonder it's a favourite of bikers. But in a car, you don't have to go flat-out to enjoy it. The trick to efficient driving isn't going slowly – it's about reading the road and maintaining momentum. In the E220d it becomes more of a physics exercise. You're trying to go up the hills as efficiently as possible and then spend the rest of the time in 'coast mode' with the engine off, just gliding. The grille is subtly lit from the inside to make the frontend pop even more than usual. Image: Ray Leathern The charming agricultural hamlet of Napier appears and disappears in my mirrors. The road continues to writhe across the lush landscape toward Bredasdorp, and I'm perfecting my rhythm now. Better still, the digital readout for my trip has settled at a brilliant average of 5.5 l/100 km. And I haven't gone slowly. That's the genius of modern efficiency with the mild-hybrid technology. From Bredasdorp, it's a straight shot down to Arniston, one of those achingly picturesque fishing villages. Sadly, it's as far as this particular road goes. So, I park the Mercedes-Benz E220d atop the point, looking over the azure waters of the Indian Ocean. Honestly, I don't even feel remotely tired and it's been several hours in the car already. That's always a great sign. On the return leg I start to wiggle around a bit. I detour to the wonderfully tidy little town of Elim. And then down to Pearly Beach and along the coast, back up to the R316. The 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel is good for 145 kW and 440 Nm of torque. And it's barely audible on full-throttle acceleration. It also feels like it's hardly breaking a sweat, even when you hustle it to 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds. It's a proverbial light show from the latest Mercedes-Benz E220d, both front and rear. Image: Ray Leathern By the time I return to the hustle and bustle of Cape Town, and its dawdling traffic, the deed is done. The trip computer has settled at an average of 5.5 l/100 km and will not shift. This means a real-world cruising range per tank well in excess of 1 150 km. Sure, it's 0.5 higher than claimed, but a remarkable figure for a car that weighs nearly two tonnes. And is packed with enough technology to rival the online NATIS licencing portal. Is this a relevant test for a luxury sedan? I certainly think so. It demonstrates the inherent efficiency and comfort of the three-pointed star. And in a world increasingly obsessed with electric vehicles, the Mercedes-Benz E220d makes yet another compelling case for the latest generation of modern diesels. Efficient, refined, and with a range that would leave most EVs green with envy … 2025 Mercedes-Benz E220d Price: R1 541 260 R1 541 260 Engine: 2.0-litre turbodiesel + EQ Boost 2.0-litre turbodiesel + EQ Boost Power: 145 kW (+ 17 kW) and 440 Nm (+ 205 Nm) 145 kW (+ 17 kW) and 440 Nm (+ 205 Nm) Transmission: 9-speed auto, rear-wheel drive 9-speed auto, rear-wheel drive Fuel Economy: 5.0 l/100 km (claimed) / 5.5 l/100 km (tested) 5.0 l/100 km (claimed) / 5.5 l/100 km (tested) Performance: 0-100 km/h in 7.6 seconds / top speed 238 km/h Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
