Let's do a reign check

The new Mercedes-AMG S63 looks unassuming on the outside, but has all the trappings of a supercar. Watch it roar

- HORMAZD SORABJEE

The silent, dignified arrival of a Mercedes-Benz S-Class has long been a hallmark of understated luxury. It’s a vehicle synonymous with serenity, where the cacophony of the outside world is shut out and passengers are cosseted in comfort.

Then, there’s the Mercedes-AMG S 63 E-Performance. This isn’t merely an S-Class; it’s what happens when the engineers of Mercedes’s performance division, AMG, are given free rein to infuse a flagship sedan with supercar DNA. Bearing the “63” badge, highlighted in red, is a signal that this 802hp limousine has shed its regal composure for something far more assertive, turning the traditionally rear-seat-focused S-Class experience squarely onto the driver.