Some invitations come disguised as routine – a line or two in your inbox, perhaps even forgettable. But every so often, one arrives that rewrites your expectations and becomes a headline moment in your motoring journey. That’s precisely what happened when Justin Jacobs, the ever-discerning PR specialist at Mercedes-Benz South Africa, extended an exclusive invitation to an AMG Driving Experience. The occasion? A celebration of the upcoming release of the movie F1 – and an adrenaline-infused encounter with the fastest-accelerating Mercedes-AMG series model yet: the electrified, exalted GT 63 S E Performance.
Hosted at Pretoria’s Zwartkops Raceway, the experience began with cinematic flair – a press briefing and preview of F1 – before morphing into something far more visceral. As our group was called out, we stepped into a symphony of snarling exhaust notes and automotive sculpture. Lined up in glistening formation were the thoroughbreds of the AMG family. And then I saw it: the GT 63 S E Performance, one finished in an arresting Manufaktur Blue Magno and another cloaked in an elegant mocha brown – each embodying the soul of performance artistry.
Moments later, with seatbelts fastened and hearts racing, we were strapped in and let loose. From the very first corner, it became clear: this wasn’t just another fast car. It was Michael Jackson’s Thriller come to life – exhilarating, theatrical and utterly unforgettable. With 600 kW of power and a mind-bending 1 420 Nm of torque at your command, the GT 63 S E Performance doesn’t drive – it performs. This hybrid beast, powered by a 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine paired with an AMG Electric Drive Unit, blurs the line between track machine and road car.
More than just numbers, it’s a vehicle that has already claimed its crown. At the prestigious Simola Hillclimb, it took the “King of the Hill” title in the road and supercar category on its South African debut, piloted by Clint Weston. Veteran motoring journalist Mark Jones, who has spent over two decades putting cars through their paces at Gerotek, clocked an astonishing 0–100 km/h sprint in just 2.7 seconds – quicker than the official figure – declaring it the fastest standard production car he’s ever tested.
This is AMG’s manifesto of innovation: a blend of Formula 1 DNA, cutting-edge electrification and timeless driving passion. It’s about raw velocity delivered with surgical precision. Every input is met with an immediate response. Every acceleration feels like a launch sequence. Yet, beneath all the tech and torque is an automotive creation that feels alive, eager to dance between apexes, devour straights, and stir your soul!
Earlier this year, I had declared the Aston Martin Vantage as the benchmark of my recent drives. Today, I must confess – the GT 63 S E Performance has raised the bar. It isn’t just another AMG. It’s the future of performance luxury, forged in Affalterbach, inspired by motorsport and engineered to captivate.
Now, whenever I see an email from a car brand, I pause. Because one of them just might be a golden ticket to something extraordinary.
The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance is priced from R4 369 287 and includes a comprehensive 5-year/100 000 km Premium Drive Comfort Care Service and Maintenance Plan.
