Mercedes-AMG S 63 history: the AMG S-Class by generation

Mercedes-AMG S 63 history

Mercedes' flagship saloon line has continued uninterrupted since 1951 and first carried the S-Class name in 1972. AMG versions of the top S-Class trace back to the 1971 AMG 300 SEL 6.8 race car; in production form, the S 65 AMG of the 220 series made 612 hp from 2003.

The 222-series S-Class (2013–2020) was offered as the AMG S 63 4MATIC; for 2017 Mercedes-Benz USA listed it with a 5.5-liter V8 biturbo (5,461 cc), 577 hp, 664 lb-ft and 0–60 mph in 3.9 seconds.

The 223-series AMG S 63 E PERFORMANCE is a P3 hybrid — AMG 4.0-liter V8 biturbo up front, electric motor at the rear axle — with 791 hp and 1,055 lb-ft combined. Mercedes calls it the most powerful S-Class of all time.[1],[2],[3],[4]

Years and production numbers

Key variants

Engine and drivetrain facts

• The 2017 AMG S 63 used the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed and was electronically limited to 186 mph.
• The 2025 S 63 E PERFORMANCE uses the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9G and AMG Performance 4MATIC+ fully variable all-wheel drive.
• The S-Class itself introduced many Mercedes firsts: optional ABS from 1978 (W 116), the driver airbag (W 126), the first Mercedes V12 (W 140) and PRE-SAFE from 2002 (W 220).

Sources:[1],[3],[4]

What changed, year by year

1. 220 seriesS 65 AMG V12 flagship from 2003.
2. 222 seriesAMG S 63 4MATIC with 5.5-liter biturbo V8 and AMG all-wheel drive.
3. 223 seriesS 63 E PERFORMANCE hybrid replaces the pure-V8 S 63.

Sources:[1],[3],[4]

What to check before you buy one

• S-Classes lose value quickly; in our latest US listing study, a five-year-old S-Class (all trims) was listed a median 71.1% below the current new-car median. That makes used S 63s tempting — budget for flagship-level maintenance accordingly.
• Confirm the car is a factory AMG S 63, not an S 550/S 560 with AMG Line styling — the VIN and build record show this.
• On the S 63 E PERFORMANCE, ask for the high-voltage battery and hybrid service history.
• Check air suspension (AIRMATIC or Active Body Control, depending on the car) for leaks or fault messages, and compare against the S-Class known-issues list.

Model-specific problems by generation are tracked on our Mercedes-Benz S-Class known issues page.

Mercedes-AMG S 63 prices and values today

Our latest study of live US dealer listings covers all S-Class trims (not just AMG models). It shows how steeply the flagship depreciates: about 45.7% below the new median after one year and 84.3% after eight.

Medians of asking prices, not transaction prices. "Below new median" compares each model year's median used listing with the median listing price of a new 2026 S-Class today. More in our Mercedes-Benz S-Class depreciation study.

How to verify the factory options of any Mercedes-AMG S 63

AMG S-Classes carry long option lists — Executive rear seating, Burmester 4D audio, MAGIC BODY CONTROL, carbon trim. The factory data card lists each option code the car was built with.