MERCEDES-BENZ S63 AMG 4Matic Review

Right now we're out on the open road and we are... ahem... investigating the powertrain area. From the very beginning, the S63 AMG, be it 4Matic or not, looks at its AMG stable mates with a defiant attitude. Sure, other 63s have 577 HP (585 PS), but the S is the only one that gets 664 lb-ft (900 Nm), instead of 590 lb-ft (800 Nm).

Unlike rival engines from Audi / Bentley or BMW M, AMG's M157 biturbo 5.5-liter V8 doesn't hold its turbos in between the cylinder banks. Don't worry though, there's no trace of turbo lag here. The muscle is there whenever you need it.

All the aforementioned torque is on tap between 2,250 and 3,750 rpm, while the peak power arrives at a predictable 5,500 rpm. From behind that fat wheel, you feel the engine's spell starting from 2,000 rpm. As you hit 3,000 the V8 enters full fury and the next frame will see you having a giggle thanks to the turbo sound you get past 5,000 rpm.

Make that 4.4 seconds if you only have rear-wheel drive. When it comes to the top speed, the rather annoying 155 mph (250 km/h) electronic limitation is still here.

The seven-speed gearbox delivers the expected silk-smooth experience and, when you're in a rush, it offers surprisingly fast shifts. The fastest ones, in Manual mode, sit at 100 ms.

Further down the power line, we find an AMG 4Matic all-wheel drive system, which gifts the rear axles with 67 percent of the power. This 67:33 (front: rear) torque distribution, as well as the added weight of 154 lbs (70 kg) make it similar to that used on the CLS63 AMG 4Matic.

Unfortunately, unlike in the case of the CLS63 S Model, you can not have a rear differential lock on the S63 AMG 4Matic. You do get a standard ESP Curve Dynamic Assist though. This is AMG's version of torque vectoring, braking the inside wheel during cornering.

When it comes to the suspension area, there's quite a difference between the standard S63 AMG and the 4Matic version. The first gets an AMG-tuned suspension based on Mercedes Magic Body Control. So the Road Surface Scan is still there, searching for faults in the road, but the overall setup is now sportier. We didn't get to play with this, but we've reminded ourselves of the conclusion we had after testing the non-AMG Magic Body Control. The system does add to the comfort, though admittedly only making a small difference.

Our 2014 Mercedes S63 AMG 4Matic tester featured an AMG Sport Suspension. Instead of the magic stuff, we relied on the ADS Plus adaptive damping. What's more, the all-wheel drive version receives bespoke front axle tweaking. Specifically, there's extra camber, the anti-roll bar is heftier and the subframe is stiffer.

All the aforementioned tech stuff can be put to work in various ways, depending on the driving modes you choose. You can play with the transmission modes, which also change the exhaust valve behavior. The soundtrack of the S63 AMG is a mix between the totally muffled gas flow sound of the S500 and the ubiquitous AMG growl.

Unfortunately, regardless of your tweaks or the surrounding environment, the S-Class feels like a heavy car. It lacks that suppleness you get in an Audi S8, despite being equipped with tech that's obviously superior. It's this heavy feel of the car that arises when you're doing some serious braking.

Nevertheless, the process of acceleration through the gears has to be experienced in order to be understood. The throttle mapping stays rather soft, even in the Sport transmission mode, but the ever-present torque lets your back feel you're being naughty.

You will not feel too guilty about pushing the S63 AMG 4Matic into the triple-digit zone though. This car has a fixation on concealing its speed. Ask yourself about the exact speed you are traveling at, double the amount and you end up with the real value. Don't worry though, hefty throttle applications have a pleasureful effect.

Then there are the Sport and Comfort suspension-steering modes, which make a clear difference. The suspension is an obedient piece of hardware, serving both ride and handling rather well. Alas, the nausea-inducing effect we got in the Mercedes S500 Long is back. The AMG partially solves the problem, but you still feel much dizzier than you should when going through a twisty area.

We are well aware of the fact that some people may have a higher tolerance, but the problem is definitely here. Perhaps the tilting suspension on the new Mercedes S-Class Coupe will change the way in which the cornering forces act on the occupants' bodies. Or perhaps not, we'll have to see about that.

Meanwhile, that stereotypical image showing businessmen using laptops in the back is just a joke. Alas, we simply can't say we would chose the S-Class for a long trip. It all has to do with this rather strange effect of Mercedes' air suspension.

Aside from this, the S-Class makes perfect use of its assets, offering imperial comfort. As for the feelings and emotions this AMG offers behind the wheel, you can handle this behemoth with ease, as long as you don't dip into the performance driving part.

When you want to go fast, the S63 AMG 4Matic becomes a bit tearing. Usually when a car has this kind of effect, it's because the engineers haven't sorted things out properly. In this case, this is far from the truth.

Instead, Mercedes' S63 AMG 4Matic puts a strain on its rushing driver due to two factors. We've already mentioned the first, while the second is the surprisingly high steering stiffness in the Sport mode. A mountain road stint reveals that the added effect of the two does show.

AMG's electromechanical steering offered a nice implementation on any model we've driven in the past. Thus, we really don't see why they had to make it so heavy here. The feedback is decent, but feeling the wheel opposing you so heavily isn't all that cool when you are in an S-Class.

Going past this, the S63 AMG displays a nice set of dynamic manners. There's no understeer and you can even convince the thing to keep pushing through tight bends. The handling itself feels neutral, like it did in the Mercedes CLS63 AMG 4Matic. However, while the CLS felt sporty, the S-Class is just fast. The overall grip is impressive and you can guide the car through the corners with precision. Use the three-pointed star on the hood as your aim.

Talking about how safe the S63 AMG 4Matic feels to drive may seem like a piece from Captain Obvious, but we can't help ourselves. This thing makes hilariously safe use of its 664 lb-ft, even in the nastiest of bends.

Before we got to celebrate though, we played with the Steering Assistance and, well, nothing has changed. The feature is still not reliable enough for daily use. We prefer Audi's system, where things are On for a much longer while. What's more, with Audi you have a clear indication on the system's status, via the Heads Up Display – the HUD is another feature that missing from the S-Class' arsenal.

Mercedes has always had a tech fetish and you can easily regard this model as a statement of that philosophy.

The best part of the car is the way in which all its advanced functions come to assist you throughout the day. Whether it's separating you from the city's buzz or making you feel you've never left your office chair, this Merc is in the know.

In the process of doing its job, the S63 AMG never asks you to pay tribute to the technical enhancements it offers over the non-AMG version. In fact, many of the car's bits and pieces could very well be fitted to the standard S-Class.

This AMG is also a capsule of protection and dependability. In spite of all this, we can not say it is a refreshing experience to drive it or be chauffeured in it. That's because you do feel the thing's weight and its air suspension can make you dizzy at times.

As far as the pricing is concerned, we've said it before and we'll say it again: only the US gets the version that matters. We are talking about the long wheelbase one, which arrives with 4Matic. This is offered for a MSRP of USD 139,500 plus taxes and a USD 925 transportation charge.

In Europe, the S63 AMG starts at EUR 151,189. As for the Mercedes S63 AMG Long (4Matic), this has a starting price or EUR 154,460 – both the aforementioned values include 19 percent VAT.

The bottom line is that the AMG incarnation of the S-Class isn't just for the thrills, it is for the better.