Photo: Stefan Baldauf/SB-Medien
Introduced to the public in 2013, the W222 S-Class is the crown jewel of the Mercedes-Benz lineup. Since then, BMW renewed the 7 Series with an all-new generation, while Audi is just about to reveal an all-new A8. Ergo, the W222 will be facelifted for 2017.
Slated to arrive just in time for the 2018 model year, the refreshed S-Class will try to keep the newcomers at bay with an unapologetic display of luxury and power. Regarding the latter, the S63 4Matic+ Lang will do the trick just fine.
The pre-production prototype spied on this occasion has minimal camouflage masking the front and rear bumpers. While it’s easy to see the changes brought to the lighting system, it's similarly easy to notice the massive carbon ceramic brakes, quad tipped AMG exhaust system, and the big intake vents.
Notice anything else? Yup, that’s a full roll cage. Expected to borrow the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 from the 2018 Mercedes-AMG E63 S 4Matic+, the refreshed S63 will also adopt 4Matic+. In other words, the driver will be able to turn the S63 4Matic+ Lang into a drift-happy monster by engaging Race mode, deactivating the ESP, then by putting the transmission into Manual.
With 612 PS (450 kW) and at least 850 Nm (627 lb-ft) of punch, the facelifted S63 has all the makings of a wild ride. And just like the E63 S 4Matic+, the S63 is expected to swap cogs with the help of the AMG Speedshift MCT, not the 9G-Tronic. The difference between the two is made by a multi-clutch pack.
Mind you, customers from countries that drive on the wrong side of the road won’t be able to feel the benefits of AMG Performance 4Matic+. That’s because the platform on which the W222 S-Class rides on can’t do AWD and RHD at the same time. The same applies to the pre-facelift model. Alas, the UK-, Australia-, and Japan-spec 2018 Mercedes-AMG S63 won't be available in 4Matic+ Lang form. RWD and the regular wheelbase will have to do.
Other than the facelifted version of the W222 S-Class, 2017 will see Mercedes-Benz launch a handful of all-new models and variants. These include the GLA Coupe, GT C Coupe, E-Class Cabriolet, and the X-Class.
The pre-production prototype spied on this occasion has minimal camouflage masking the front and rear bumpers. While it’s easy to see the changes brought to the lighting system, it's similarly easy to notice the massive carbon ceramic brakes, quad tipped AMG exhaust system, and the big intake vents.
Notice anything else? Yup, that’s a full roll cage. Expected to borrow the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 from the 2018 Mercedes-AMG E63 S 4Matic+, the refreshed S63 will also adopt 4Matic+. In other words, the driver will be able to turn the S63 4Matic+ Lang into a drift-happy monster by engaging Race mode, deactivating the ESP, then by putting the transmission into Manual.
With 612 PS (450 kW) and at least 850 Nm (627 lb-ft) of punch, the facelifted S63 has all the makings of a wild ride. And just like the E63 S 4Matic+, the S63 is expected to swap cogs with the help of the AMG Speedshift MCT, not the 9G-Tronic. The difference between the two is made by a multi-clutch pack.
Mind you, customers from countries that drive on the wrong side of the road won’t be able to feel the benefits of AMG Performance 4Matic+. That’s because the platform on which the W222 S-Class rides on can’t do AWD and RHD at the same time. The same applies to the pre-facelift model. Alas, the UK-, Australia-, and Japan-spec 2018 Mercedes-AMG S63 won't be available in 4Matic+ Lang form. RWD and the regular wheelbase will have to do.
Other than the facelifted version of the W222 S-Class, 2017 will see Mercedes-Benz launch a handful of all-new models and variants. These include the GLA Coupe, GT C Coupe, E-Class Cabriolet, and the X-Class.
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