Mercedes-AMG S63 Coupe
on the PH test fleet at the moment and a rather lovely thing it is too, with a finely balanced combination of elegance and twin-turbo V8 muscle. Who could want for more?
Barging its way to a Frankfurt stand soon
Seems a few folk do and while some of Mansory's creations appear crafted in some carbon fibre chamber of horrors we'll sneak guilty admiration of the transformation wreaked on this S-Class Coupe, debuting next week at the Frankfurt show. Maybe somebody slipped something into our morning brew but, well, if you're going to do Death Star sinister you may as well do it properly.
The modern-day inheritor of a tradition started by Koenig, Styling Garage and others with their widebody SECs back in the 80s, the Black Edition S-Class Coupe is 50mm wider than the standard car thanks to Mansory's signature carbon bodywork. Engorged, vented and unapologetic it's not for the shy and retiring. But when you hear what's under that NACA ducted bonnet you'll perhaps understand why.
The 585hp S63 we're tootling around in at the moment hardly feels slow. But Mansory has felt it necessary to upgrade it to what it describes as a "vigorous" 985hp. Perhaps the only example of understatement in this whole exercise... Turbos, con-rods, crank, exhaust system and more are upgraded in the conversion, which sees standard torque climb from 664lb ft to 1,032lb ft. From 1,500rpm. If you can maintain traction it'll see off 62mph in just 3.2 seconds while the top speed has - perhaps wisely - been limited to 186mph.
Guilty pleasure? Moment of madness in the PH office? Your chance to set us straight follows; for now it's been added to our 'must-see' list for next week's show.