In this day and age of 5000 horsepower hypercar from Dubai, it's easy to think that 630 horsepower isn't all that much. However, the latest AMG is an amazing powerhouse. Revealed today on the inter-webs ahead of the LA Auto Show and at the Tokyo Motor Show (both: 20 November to 1 December 2013), the S 65 AMG is powered by a 630 PS V12 engine with two turbos.
They've had to limit this steam engine of the 21st century to 1000 Nm, otherwise the gearbox or the tires could have been in trouble. But don't think of this as an archaic machine. Even though this is probably the last major V12 project, they've made it so it emits only 278 grams of CO2 per kilometer and complies with Euro 6 standards, which are not due until 2015.
But you don't buy the ultimate horsepower S-Class for the green stuff, you buy it because Mercedes promises you it will get from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds. The strange thing is that time is slower than the best S63 AMG because that car gets optional 4Matic all-wheel drive. But we really only need compare the S65 to models like the Rolls-Royce Ghost and Bentley Flying Spur, where the Merc shows it has superior performance.
Other headlines for the S65 include a carbon fiber engine cover, Magic Body Control fitted as standard, ceramic brakes and a head-up display. But really, we'd buy it just because it looks that 10% more special than the S63.
But you don't buy the ultimate horsepower S-Class for the green stuff, you buy it because Mercedes promises you it will get from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds. The strange thing is that time is slower than the best S63 AMG because that car gets optional 4Matic all-wheel drive. But we really only need compare the S65 to models like the Rolls-Royce Ghost and Bentley Flying Spur, where the Merc shows it has superior performance.
Other headlines for the S65 include a carbon fiber engine cover, Magic Body Control fitted as standard, ceramic brakes and a head-up display. But really, we'd buy it just because it looks that 10% more special than the S63.