Filed under: LA Auto Show, Sedan, Performance, Tokyo Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury



There's little question that the new Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG is one seriously capable performance sedan. But as impressive as it is, at the level it competes, there are other options to consider. The Audi S8, BMW Alpina B7, Jaguar XJR and Maserati Quattroporte all offer similar levels of performance and power. The S65 on the other hand, with its plutocratic V12 engine, is on a different level entirely. And Mercedes has just revealed the new model.

As with the outgoing version, the new Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG is propelled by a 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 packing a massive 621 horsepower and a positively biblical 738 pound-feet of torque. But this time, AMG has paired it to the new seven-speed automatic transmission instead of the outdated five-speed unit in the outgoing model. Performance is quoted at the same 4.2 seconds for the 0-60 run and a top speed electronically limited to 155 miles per hour. There's no telling how fast it would gobble up miles of Autobahn if the limiter were removed, but the speedometer goes all the way up to 220 mph. That acceleration run, however, is actually slower than the quoted time for the less-powerful S63, which could come down to traction as much as weight: though the new S63 packs 4Matic all-wheel drive, the S65 spec sheet makes no mention of driving more than the rear wheels.

On this level, the top Benz really competes only with the Bentley Flying Spur, which also packs a 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged twelve-cylinder engine - albeit in a different configuration and with slightly less power and much less torque. Or the Rolls-Royce Ghost, for that matter, whose twin-turbo V12 may be larger, but produces less muscle. But neither the Bentley nor the Rolls are tuned for performance like the new S65 is.

The new top Benz really competes only with the Bentley Flying Spur or Rolls-Royce Ghost ... neither are tuned for performance like the new S65 is.

Of course the S65 also benefits from all the advancements made for the latest S-Class, which is widely regarded as one of the finest, most technologically advanced automobiles on the market. The top-spec model further upgrades with an AMG-tuned suspension with Magic Body Control and Road Surface Scan, adaptive steering, the same lightweight lithium-ion battery as the new S63, a carbon and aluminum engine cover, 20-inch forged alloys and optional ceramic brakes to keep it all in check. The S65 also introduces a new head-up display and touchpad - both of which will find their way into other Mercedes models - in a cabin upholstered in diamond-quilted nappa leather and with an IWC Schaffhausen clock embedded in the dashboard.

If you're into the finer things, there's more to digest in the press release below, and of course you can check out all the angles in the high-resolution image gallery above. The new S65 will debut at the upcoming LA Auto Show and Tokyo Motor Show, and while pricing has yet to be announced, we know that deliveries are set to commence in the US during the second quarter of 2014.Continue reading Mercedes turns twelve again with 2015 S65 AMG

Mercedes turns twelve again with 2015 S65 AMG originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Nov 2013 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



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11-08-2013 04:00 AM