Online Out of Office_M-Benz S Coupé

Mercedes-Benz S Coupé: Sensual, Poised and Aggressive

The launch of the Mercedes-Benz S Class Coupé was a really grand occasion, and that is as it should be, for this is truly the world leader in the supreme-luxury segment of the motor industry.

The S Class Coupé is the pinnacle of this already great car and, with the three models in the range, it remains exclusive. We did not have the S 500 Coupé to test, so only concentrated on the two performance models: the S 63 AMG Coupé and the S 65 AMG Coupé. The lines complement the Coupé and it is most sensual when seen at a distance from the side. This car looks poised and ready to aggressively attack whatever it is up against. From the front or the back, the sleek form is unmistakably a Mercedes – and it oozes charm.

OUT OF OFFICE | CAR REVIEW

by Carl Wepener

* Prices as at date of publishing

Coupé, Sedan, Roadster and Off-roader: following the S 65 AMG, the SL 65 AMG and the G 65 AMG, the new S 65 AMG Coupé is the fourth AMG high-performance car with a V12 engine.

The S 65 AMG Coupé is the new 12-cylinder, top-of-the-range model in the S-Class Coupé series. It leads the pack with its ultimate drive comfort, exquisite appointments and excellent road manners. The AMG 6.0-litre, V12 biturbo engine, with an output of 463 kW and 1 000 Nm of torque, is unique, as is the AMG sports suspension, which is based on MAGIC BODY CONTROL with curve-tilting function and ROAD SURFACE SCAN. What does that mean? It means that, when you drive through a curve, it feels as if it is banked even when it is not. There is no body roll, which makes this a really exciting experience going through really tight curves. The curve-tilting function can be selected as one of three drive modes using the ABC switch. The function is active in the speed range from 15 to 180 km/h.

Ever driven a car that evens out the bumps and impurities of the road? Well, this is done so well and to such an extent that we jokingly admitted that there are no bad roads in South Africa if you drive these amazing S Coupé cars.

Equally impressive is the AMG 5.5-litre, V8 biturbo engine boasting an output of 430 kW and 900 Nm of torque. The S 63 AMG Coupé delivers exceptional performance and, as far as sound goes, is the more aggressive car. The curve-tilting function, a part of the MAGIC BODY CONTROL suspension system, is standard in this model but optional in the S 500 Coupé.

The super-swift AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC is responsible for transmitting power to the wheels and offers three individual modes: the driver can choose from Controlled Efficiency (C), Sport (S) and Manual (M) by pushing a button on the centre console. Sport and Manual emphasise the vehicle’s dynamism. The ultimate emotional appeal and tangible sportiness are ensured by the brief, precisely defined cutback of ignition and injection when shifting up a gear and getting ready to be a super sports car. This shortens shift times and lends an audibly more emotive tone to gearshifts. The ECO start/stop function is activated in transmission mode ‘C’.

The S 63 AMG Coupé even has a choice of bespoke sounds and that is one of the reasons why it is the darling of most of the AMG lovers. The AMG sports exhaust has automatic logic-controlled exhaust flaps in both rear silencers. When the transmission is in ‘C’ (Controlled Efficiency) mode, the flaps remain closed in most situations, in which case the engine’s sound is a bit understated. In ‘S’ (Sport) and ‘M’ (Manual) modes, the exhaust flaps open earlier and more spontaneously, especially if the driver prefers a dynamic driving style, and the result is clearly heard and seen and is the hallmark AMG emotive engine sound.

All AMG V8 and V12 engines are assembled by hand at the AMG engine shop in Affalterbach according to the strictest quality standards based on the ‘one person, one engine’ philosophy. Apart from serving as an AMG hallmark, thus confirming superlative precision and production quality, the AMG engine plate bearing the engine technician’s signature also attests to the peerless DNA of Mercedes-Benz’s high-performance brand.

Key Data at a Glance
The S 65 AMG Coupé

Displacement
Output
Maximum torque
Fuel consumption (NEDC combined)
CO2 emissions
Acceleration 0–100 km/h
Top speed

5 980 cc
463 kW at 4 800–5 400 r/min
1 000 Nm at 2 300–4 300 r/min
11.9 l/100 km
279 g/km
4.1 seconds
250 km/h*

The S 63 AMG Coupé

Displacement
Output
Maximum torque
Fuel consumption (NEDC combined)
CO2 emissions
Kerb weight
(according to EC)
Power-to-weight ratio
Acceleration 0–100 km/h
Top speed

5 461 cc
430 kW at 5 500 r/min
900 Nm at 2 250–3 750 r/min
10.1 l/100 km
237 g/km
1 995 kg
2 070 kg
3.41 kg/hp
4.3 seconds
250 km/h (AMG Driver’s Package limited to 300 km/h)

Mercedes-Benz is known for its outstanding engineering feats, but also for its incredibly luxurious and refined interiors. Opening the door reveals the beguilingly luxurious interior of the S 63 and 65 AMG Coupé: the instrument panel almost seamlessly transitions into the doors in a wrap-around design. High-quality materials and fine workmanship are combined with a sporty, exclusive design idiom. The newly developed AMG sports seats with electrical adjustment and memory function offer the driver and front passenger optimum lateral support. Fine nappa leather in AMG design with piping and AMG badges on all four seat backrests, together with the embossed AMG emblem on the armrest of the front centre console, create an exquisite atmosphere on board.

The new three-spoke AMG sports steering wheel with its distinctively contoured rim and perforated leather in the grip area allows perfect vehicle control. There is an AMG logo in the lower metal insert. New aluminium shift paddles shorten the reaction time when changing gear and enhance dynamism. Another feature displaying the hallmark AMG look is the high-resolution TFT colour display as an AMG instrument cluster with two animated round dials. In addition to the specific lettering and the needles in red/silver, further distinctive design features include the AMG start-up display, the AMG logo in the speedometer and the ‘V8 BITURBO’ or ‘V12 BITURBO’ lettering in the rev counter, and an animated S 65 AMG Coupé appears in the instrument cluster for the S 65.

The new, innovative touchpad, fitted as standard, makes it significantly easier to operate the radio, telephone and navigation system. The safety and assistance systems are the same as those for the S 500 Coupé.

Standard equipment for the S 65 AMG Coupé
includes (selection):

A 360° camera.
Active Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC.
A Burmester® high-end 3D surround-sound system.
Driving Assistance Package Plus, including DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot, PRE-SAFE Brake, BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist and PRE-SAFE PLUS.
Seat Comfort Package for driver and front passenger.
Upholstery in AMG Exclusive nappa leather.
KEYLESS-GO Package.

The S 65 AMG Coupé is introduced at R3 070 700, including 14% VAT, but excluding CO2 emissions tax.
The S 63 AMG Coupé is introduced at R2 499 100, including 14% VAT, but excluding CO2 emissions tax.

I have had the opportunity to drive over a thousand kilometres with both the 65 AMG and the 63 AMG and got the fuel consumption to an average of 11.5l per 100 km. I even had a BMW 5 M stop next tome telling me what a superb car I have. I really had the chance to experience all of the great technologies that is part and parcel of these cars and most impressive was the lights and the way the suspension make bumps and bad road conditions go away. The day to day driving pleasure is second to none and then I have the lovely sound of those 4 pipes at the back singing and barking to me all the time.

The driving experience for me was not only exciting but also relaxed – even when taking the cars to limits not experienced in everyday driving. This is truly a Coupé that is the leader of the pack and is an icon for those who have one and for those who want one.

PS. I want one.