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Rapid limousines from AMG

2009-06-24 07:23

Vehicle Specs
Manufacturer Mercedes-Benz
Model S63/65 AMG
Engine 6.2l V8, 6l biturbo V12
Power 396kW, 455kW
Torque 630Nm, 1 000Nm
Transmission 7G-Tronic
Zero To Hundred 4.6 sec, 4.4 sec
 

Mercedes-Benz’s hooligan limousines have been enhanced with better steering and a touch more power.

Both the S63 and S65 AMG models benefit from subtle exterior detailing upgrades and engineering tweaks, ushering in increased power and efficiency.
 
The styling changes factor in a new double louvered grille and LED lights, which will surely come as a shock to the aristocrats comprising the S-Class ownership profile.

Under the long S-Class bonnet are two high performance engines well know to power fiends and AMG fans alike – the venerable 6.2l naturally aspirated V8 and biturbo V12 displacing 6l.


S63 now has multi-spoke 19-inch alloy wheels as standard. LED detailing a very acquired taste...

Both engines benefit from slight ECU tweaks to liberate more power than before, with the V8 up from 390- to 396kW and the blown V12 now peaking at 455kW, up 5kW from before. 

Rotational force numbers remain as before with the V8 twisting a peak of 630Nm and the biturbo limited to 1 000Nm in the interest of gearbox longevity.

More direct steering

Beyond the slight increase in power, the handling dynamics of these superfast luxury barges have been shored up too.

Mercedes-Benz engineers reconfigured a direct-steer system to reduce lock-to-lock rotation by 25%, whilst Merc claims the variable-ratio rack now operates by purely mechanical means, providing a surfeit of old-school steering feel.

With the wheel in a straight-ahead position the power assistance utilises and indirect ratio to provide reassuring high-speed tracking and stability.

This indirect ratio is operational within a five degree radius from the centre position too, ensuring high-speed sweeps can be negotiated with optimal feedback.


S65 rolls on five-spoke 20-inch wheels. If you see this in your rear view mirror, just move over.

Banishing understeer

Another newfangled dynamic driving aid is Merc’s torque vectoring brake system, which works in partnership with the ESP set-up.

Considering the size and substantial wheelbase of the S-Class AMG performance models, understeer is an undesirable handling characteristic amplified in certain conditions by the significant levels of performance these engines provide.



To counter this, when the ESP system detects wheel scrub or understeer, a sudden brake intervention on the S-Class AMG’s inside rear wheel enacts a sufficient yawing moment around the car’s vertical axis to tuck the nose in little tighter for the reminder of the corner.

Pretty clever stuff, and it shows AMG has its heart in the right place, as this feature is standard on both S63 and S65 AMG models.

What AMG's racetimer function (within the main menu driver interface, enabling one to calculate lap times) is doing onboard is harder to fathom though. Or is it precisely the feature you've always craved on your standard S-Class, yet were too embarrassed to ask for?



 
vickash
6/26/2009 4:19 PM
S65 is too expensive. if u want that kind of power u mite as well buy a Golf 1 like me for about R15 000 and spend some cash on turbos and super chargers and you easily beat that S65. My Golf 1 will drop anything. what a waste of money these peeps and their M3s and M6s and AMG. if i had that kind of cash id buy a brand new Velocity 1.6 fit all the new electrics with turbos and NOS and it will only cost around R150k so y waste that kind of cash on BMs and Mercs. Golf 1 still the best looking car with the best power.
GTO
6/25/2009 10:45 AM
Yes Bimmaman, en when you woke up you pissed yourself in you bed!!!
Anonymous User
6/25/2009 10:41 AM
Bimmaman is a such nutcase,330i for an s65,i mean realy..js how do u beat over 400kw of power with about 200kw of your 330i..u guys have to think before you talk sometimes,perhaps the guys was js driving normaly n u was racing so picture this: a normal drive for an s65 looks like its racing to you,now how's dat for a poewerful insane mucle luxury saloon..
Anonymous User
6/25/2009 9:31 AM
Yes bimmaman, yesterday I smoked one with my 1.3 Chico....
AW
6/25/2009 9:29 AM
bimmaman - Are you sure this guy knew you where trying to 'smoke' him? People can sometimes talk so much #$%$ on this wesite.
Shark
6/24/2009 6:03 PM
Some people argue what’s the point of a car like this (Me included) but I cannot help but be drawn to insane muscle Luxury Saloons from Merc (Then again a lot of cars are pointless on today’s roads). The Thought of 1000NM just is insane. Insane Power. With such Torque your literally stand still and accelerate the earth beneath u. Wonder how much Torque it can produced if there was no limiter. Pity about the Gearbox. Merc should sort that out. Otherwise Merc oozes MUSCLE!!!
Bimmaman
6/24/2009 5:02 PM
These things are too slow. I just smoked a S65 with my 330i. The oke inside looked scared of me as I shot past him.
ExboyRacer
6/24/2009 1:50 PM
As ANON 8h15 stated, and to all that have critisized Audi. These LED's are becoming compulsary. As with bikes that have to have their lights on ALL the time, the same is happening to cars. It just adds to safety as idiots can't say.."aaahhh, I didn't see you coming". I agree with all of you about the 63's rims. Mercs need big fat spokes/arms on their wheels. The skinny spokes were never intended to be on a Merc, other than an old 300SL.
John
6/24/2009 1:12 PM
PETER, if you think this is 'utterly pointless', you should not be reading motoring columns. Tell us: what car is NOT pointless in your view? What do YOU drive? Have you considered that maybe YOU are 'utterly pointless'? Where's your spirit? Really sad...
Anonymous User
6/24/2009 10:41 AM
When BMW M7 arrives it really is going to have its work cut out for it to match this beast.
Anonymous User
6/24/2009 10:05 AM
probably the only car you can be driven in and also drive yourself, without looking like you borrowed it or are a yuppy trying to look classy. The best balance between majestic class and individual independence. Only Jaguar has managed to come close, but not as majestic as this. BMW will probably never succeed, and Audi should keep trying. This is the best limo in the world.
Anonymous User
6/24/2009 9:30 AM
Stunning, but I won't want to be driven around in one of these monsters - I would want to DRIVE it. Mercedes Limos - where the chauffeur enjoys the drive more than the passangers...
daffy
6/24/2009 9:14 AM
Those S63 mags just don't suit the car, the other mags are better and who will buy the S63 when there is the S65 available? Good, solid cars from Merc, a friend of mine has the pre-face lift S65, so I know how it drives, but those christmas lights...not so sure about them, pity there isnt a Audi or BMW to compete with here.
Anonymous User
6/24/2009 8:53 AM
S65 FOR ME ANYDAY.
Anonymous User
6/24/2009 8:22 AM
Merc builds them because S class sales are high enough that a user base exists for them. Were audi or bmw able to sell half as many A8s or 7 series' as merc sells S class models, they too would be pumping out the performance models too
AW
6/24/2009 8:20 AM
I wouldn't mind being driven around in the S65. Don't like the rims on the S63.
Anonymous User
6/24/2009 8:15 AM
The LEDs are due to euro NCAP requirements. Significant point are deducted if daytime running LEDs are not present on the car. Any idiot knows this but then wheels24 commenters seem even less endowed...
Anonymous User
6/24/2009 8:15 AM
Stunning...........
Stealth
6/24/2009 8:13 AM
The jackhammer of all vibrator's! At least Merc have the balls to still make machines that ignite the human sole.
GTO
6/24/2009 8:07 AM
This is absolutly badass. To have a laptimer in your S-class is brillant!!!! you just got to love it. Heard the SL65 amg pull away from a stop street quite quick, the sound is amazing..... and the it was gone. Does this qualify for a modern day mucsle car? Hells yes!!!!
Anonymous User
6/24/2009 7:31 AM
Absolutely hilarious Merc still lets AMG do this stuff, where is the RS8 or M7 from the other Germans?
Firth
6/24/2009 7:30 AM
S63 multispokes too busy for me, like the S65 wheels, new grille and lights don't work for me. Engines still madder than mad for a luxury car range.
Peter
6/24/2009 7:29 AM
Utterly pointless and the LEDs are ghastly, but heroic none the less.

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