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In fairness to the other S-Class coupe models, including the 449-hp S550 coupe and the 577-hp S63 AMG coupe, all S-Class coupes are fast. So by installing its twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V-12 and seven-speed automatic transmission under the S65’s impossibly long hood, Mercedes is just showing off, really.
There’s no reason or need to go any faster than anyone would in the S63, a car that even shares much of the S65’s sportified body and interior modifications.
But that big meaty V-12, with all of its 621 hp and monstrous 738 lb-ft of torque, makes the S65 AMG the undisputed flagship of the S-Class coupe line. More importantly, it gives Mercedes-Benz a suitable, 12-pot answer to the 616-hp Bentley Continental GT Speed and the 624-hp Rolls-Royce Wraith.
The S65’s 6.0-liter V-12 is actually the same engine that powered the outgoing CL65 AMG, with no significant changes. None, really, were needed, of course, given its potency.
Thus equipped, Mercedes-Benz believes the big rear-driver can hit 60 mph from a standstill in 4.0 seconds, a that could even be a touch conservative.
We won’t know for sure until we drive it, of course, but make no mistake: the S65 AMG coupe will accelerate like a NASA rocket, and its slippery body will able to cut a hole through the lower atmosphere at speeds up to an electronically limited 186 mph.
It also promises to change the paradigm in terms of cornering stability for big GTs, thanks to its unique, AMG-tuned version of the S-Class’ innovative Magic Body Control that actually leans the car into corners, simulating banked curves.
Stuffed into the wheelwells are gorgeous 16-spoke turbine-style 20-inchers wrapped by 255/40 front and 285/35 rear tires. Park one next to the cheaper, V-8-powered S63 AMG and only eagle-eyed Benz-ophiles will know that the S65 AMG is packing an extra four cylinders, 44 horses and 74 lb-ft of torque (hint: look for the “Biturbo V12” badges on the fenders, or the “S65” badge on the deck).
Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG Coupe
You may not expect that sort of speed and tenacity by looking at it. The styling is remarkably understated, looking more or less identical to the S550 coupe, save for its unique front bumpers with large front air intakes, extended side sills, and a revised rear valance with diffuser elements and fat quad parallelogram-shaped tailpipes.
Stuffed into the wheelwells are gorgeous 16-spoke turbine-style 20-inchers wrapped by 255/40 front and 285/35 rear tires. Park one next to the cheaper, V-8-powered S63 AMG and only eagle-eyed Benz-ophiles will know that the S65 AMG is packing an extra four cylinders, 44 horses and 74 lb-ft of torque (hint: look for the “Biturbo V12” badges on the fenders, or the “S65” badge on the deck).
That said, it’s freakin’ beautiful. And not just on the outside. The interior is gorgeous, surrounding its four lucky occupants in the best stuff Mercedes-Benz has to offer in terms of materials. As with the exterior, the cabin accentuates elegance before sportiness (as do the Bentley and the Rolls), yet certain features hint of the S65’s performance orientation, including AMG sports seats, a flat-bottom steering wheel, illuminated AMG door sills, and AMG badges sprinkled throughout.
Mercedes hasn’t told us yet much it plans to charge for the 2015 S65 AMG, but considering that the MSRP of its predecessor, the 2014 CL65, was a heady $215,500, we expect it to come in somewhere in that neighborhood. For that money, most every feature offered on any new Mercedes-Benz is expected to be standard, though we do know that carbon ceramic brakes will be optional, as are vampy red brake calipers, as well as a number of “Designo” interior themes.
We expect to have final pricing and equipment details sometime closer to the car’s arrival date, which Mercedes says will be close to the end of the year. We hope to be able to tell you how it feels to drive it sometime before then.
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