S-Class Sedan

Segment
Sedan

Mercedes-Benz finally unveiled the long-awaited new S-Class yesterday, and it once again leads the way as the most advanced car in its segment. Just two powertrains - the S500 4MATIC with 429 horsepower and the S580 4MATIC with 496 hp - were announced at launch, but we all knew that more powerful versions were in the pipeline. Now, we can confirm that the AMG-badged S63e and S73e are on the way.

With hybrid power, the latter will boast a combined 805 hp according to a report by Autocar UK. Yes, over 800 horses in an S-Class! Before this, we'll see the return of the V12 engine in the all-new Maybach S650 - the new Maybach S was spotted being tested several months ago. A V12 will no longer be offered in the regular S-Class.

Expected to be unveiled in November at the Guangzhou Motor in China, the Maybach S650 will once again do battle with esteemed mega luxury sedans from Rolls-Royce and Bentley. Its 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged V12 motor is expected to produce 621 hp, a similar output to the outgoing Maybach flagship which could hit 60 mph in only 4.6 seconds.

At a lower price point, the AMG versions of the S-Class will compete with the BMW M760i, although with the latest expected outputs, the S-Class should be quicker. Both AMGs will feature a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 and an electric motor mounted at the back. It will feature a 400V system and a lithium-ion battery with a capacity expected to be about 20 kWh.

The S63e's electric motor will make 134 hp on its own, sending the combined output to almost 700 hp. That's already close to 100 hp up on the outgoing S63, which was the quickest version of the S-Class.

The S73e should be an absolute monster, with its 201-hp electric motor sending the combined output to a dizzying 805 hp. It easily becomes the most powerful version of Mercedes' flagship sedan ever. It's expected that this powertrain will make it into the new SL, too. Like the newly launched S500 and S580, the AMG twins will send power to all four wheels.

UK deliveries of these high-performance versions are not expected before the middle of next year, which gives us an idea of how long we'll have to wait to get behind the wheel.