Mercedes-AMG has kick-started its electrified era.

HERE by this time next year – that’s the schedule for local availability of Mercedes-AMG's first plug-in hybrid car; the performance marque’s most powerful series-production car yet.

Based on the V8-powered GT 63 S four-door Coupe, the GT S E Performance 4-Door Coupe supplements the reserves of the twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre petrol engine with a 150kW electric motor on the rear axle – an arrangement it calls the P3 drive system. 

The V8 in isolation makes 470kW and 900Nm, however pairing to the electric motor ramps those outputs to 620kW and more than 1400Nm. 

The result is a 0-100kmh sprint time of just 2.9 seconds – the quickest in the company's history. It clocks 0-200kmh time is less than 10 seconds and has a top speed of 316kmh.

Will it ever be topped? Actually, quite probably. The AMG One hypercar, also coming out some time next year, will be quicker still, AMG has indicated.

The electric-assisted drivetrain continues with the variable four-wheel-drive and nine-speed automatic transmission that goes into the V8-specific Coupe.

 AMG says the car’s set-up is derived from the hybrid drivetrain of the Mercedes-AMG Formula One  race car. Packaging the electric motor on the rear axle with a two-speed transmission and limited-slip rear differential in a "compact electric drive unit" is claimed to improve response, reduce losses across the vehicle's drivetrain, and allow motor torque to be redirected to the front wheels as required. It also gives optimised weight distribution and the quickest possible deployment of torque.

The electric motor is paired to a 6.1kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which delivers 70kW of "continuous" power, or up to 150kW for 10-second bursts. Though lending incredible zap is the primary function, the 89kg battery also  lends the GT a zero emissions driving range of 12 kilometres. The new model is projected to achieve 7.1 litres per 100km on the WLTP combined cycle while emitting 196g/km of CO2. The battery replenishes by a 3.7kW AC socket rather than a DC public fast-charger.

Seven drive modes are on offer – Electric, Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus, Race, Slippery and Individual – the first allows all-electric driving at up to 130kmh and Race unleashes max attack.

It has four regenerative braking modes, ranging from one that simulates a normal internal combustion-engined car, to an extreme setting that recuperates energy at up to 100kW under deceleration to recharge the battery. Overseas reports say the The system can even harness energy from the engine to recharge the battery while drifting.

E Performance badging, red accents on the GT63 S badge, new exhaust outlets, exclusive 20in and 21in wheel designs and a charging flap on the rear bumper are the telltales to differentiate it from the V8 pure editions.

The MBUX infotainment setup gains AMG hybrid-specific views showing electric range, energy consumption, electric motor outputs and battery temperatures.