Monday 14th July 2014

S65 AMG joins S Class Coupe range

Mercedes bolsters the two-door S-Class line up with a 630hp bi-turbo V12. Probably quite fast

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With the introduction of the S65 AMG coupe, Mercedes now sells four models with its 6.0-litre bi-turbo V12. There are two variants of S-Class, the SL and, amazingly, the G-Class. So much for downsizing and efficiency.

You'd be proud to put your name on this

If the numbers for this engine are becoming familiar they're no less ridiculous. 5,980cc of swept capacity, two turbos, 630hp at 4,800rpm-5,400rpm, 737lb ft from 2,300-4,300rpm. Never has a 0-62mph time of 4.1 seconds been less reflective of a car's performance, or a limited 155mph top speed appeared more inappropriate.

The 12-cylinder car is less overtly sporting than the S63, with a 'host of expressive design elements in high-sheen chrome' and wheels that are more classic in design than the ten-spoke AMG rims. In fact the optional carbon ceramics look rather strange behind these wheels but if the customer demands it...

Much else is carried over from the '63 also including the 7G-Tronic auto, curve tilting and lighter lithium-ion battery. But of course there's an assortment of 'V12 Biturbo' badges to remind all around this is not a measly V8.

Relax here and ignore the depreciation

The opulence of the range-topping S-Class is most prominent inside with 'an incomparably exquisite ambience' including AMG Exclusive Nappa leather (extending to the grabhandles and roof liner), chromed door pins and illuminated AMG door sill panels. Classy.

Mercedes hasn't yet confirmed a price for the S65 coupe. With the S63 expected to cost around £125K, we'd expect an RRP in the region of £150K for the V12 flagship. And wouldn't you know, a Bentley Continental GT Speed is £152,600. If that seems jolly expensive, don't forget a Mercedes V12's stunning propensity to depreciate. This 2008 CL65 AMG has covered just 33,000 miles and is being sold for £37,995. Ouch.

 

 

[soad]

I wonder what the good people at Brabus could do with this thing.

[FrankUnderwood]

The day a diesel ends up in a CL will mark the beginning of the end for great cars.

[dbdb]

Car Magazine's the Good, the bad and the ugly section once described the Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham d'Elegance as being, "as flash as a rat with a gold tooth." It is a fairly apt description of this too. Whatever happened to Mercedes' elegance?

[mwstewart]

What a brute - a beautiful car!

Minor point but I don't like the dash and sat Nav binnacle - shame they couldn't get it curved towards the centre of the car.

[gsuk1]

I thought these used to limited to 185?

What's the point if the performance is so similar to the V8?

Not for me thanks.

[Schermerhorn]

This is the same engine that appeared in the W215 shape Mercedes CL65.

So it is essentially over 10 years old.

Aston Martin do the same thing and people complain about their V12s but Mercedes and AMG get a pass?

[J4CKO]

Not sure about those digital, er analogue dials, hopefully better in the flesh.

[JDMDrifter]

Its on my lottery list!

[zeduffman]

soad said:

I wonder what the good people at Brabus could do with this thing.

Regularly pumping out 850hp from the V12 I believe.

[loudlashadjuster]

gsuk1 said:

I thought these used to limited to 185?

What's the point if the performance is so similar to the V8?

Not for me thanks.

I suspect that, much as the article alludes to, the printed numbers don't tell the full story of the way in which these kinds of enormous, heavy, cosseting lumps gather speed.

I had a passenger ride in the S63 at the recent Sunday Service at MB World and asked the very amiable driver about the difference between the x63 and x65s. His answer, which I can't recall exactly because g-forces, certainly inferred that the 65s were a totally different proposition. Much, much faster.

[soad]

zeduffman said:

soad said:

I wonder what the good people at Brabus could do with this thing.

Regularly pumping out 850hp from the V12 I believe.

Wouldn't surprise me.

[epom]

zeduffman said:

soad said:

I wonder what the good people at Brabus could do with this thing.

Regularly pumping out 850hp from the V12 I believe.

hehe thats just great

[Aids0G]

I would really like to show up at a track day somewhere like Snetterton in this and just see what it was like, probably terrible but wouldn't it be surprising being overtaken by a S65

[andrew.delamare]

Are they going to do a 4matic version of this beast?

Now that would probably be able to make better use of that V12 off the line!

[LayZ]

155 limiter would irk on this. Very high speed in extreme comfort is the raison d'etre of this car surely?

[Gandahar]

Sister mag autocar reporting the RRP at £183k .... golly.

[FrankUnderwood]

LayZ said:

155 limiter would irk on this. Very high speed in extreme comfort is the raison d'etre of this car surely?

Power and capacity makes for a more relaxed drive though.

On the other hand, trying to justify this car is a bit pointless. But then cars that can be totally justified are usually a bit vanilla. This isn't.

[aston addict]

Am I the only one who thinks the 2008 model better looking?

[Armen]

The most beautiful one remains the original CL 65 AMG (C215) which appeared in 2004... 612 bhp and 1000 Nm of torque (738 foot pound)... a very very very rare car !

[JD]

You know when you absolutely, positively, must get to the South of France as quickly as possible because there has been some fresh snow in Chamonix?

This is the car for that.