Merc S 63 AMG’s 5.5-litre V8 engine produces a thunderous 585hp and 900Nm of torque.
Mercedes-Benz has pulled back the curtain on the S 63 AMG Coupé ahead of its debut at the New York motor show. The souped-up S Class is yet to receive a UK price or specification, but the German manufacturer was kind enough to provide us with various details and numbers to drool over.
An AMG 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine outputs a whopping 585hp (576bhp) and 900Nm (663lb/ft) of torque, the latter of which is available from just 2,250rpm. That’s a 41hp increase in power and 100Nm in torque compared with the CL 63 AMG. Gear changes are taken care of by a seven-speed automatic.
0 to 62mph is achieved in as little as 3.9 seconds and the top speed is electronically limited to 155mph. Drive sensibly and the S 63 AMG could, in theory, deliver a respectable 27.9mpg, thanks in part to start-stop fitted as standard. Not that you ever would.
Somehow the Mercedes-Benz S 63 AMG is 65kg lighter than the C63 AMG, with both the rear-wheel drive and 4Matic four-wheel drive models weighing the same 1,995kg. This is in thanks to the use of different suspension systems, with the former getting AirMatic air suspension and the latter a steel-sprung setup.
The S 63 AMG Coupé can, like the new S Class, lean into corners. Magic Body Control tilts the car as you go around a bend by as much as 2.5 degrees from between 19 and 112mph — a bit like a skiier or motorcyclist negotiating a corner.
Other clever technology built into the S 63 AMG includes Road Surface Scan, a system for detecting the road surface with a camera and adjusting the suspension accordingly, and three driving modes: ‘C’ (short for controlled efficiency), ‘S’ (short for sport) and the ‘M’ manual.
A number of styling cues warn of this beast’s potency, including various AMG badges, AMG forged alloy wheels, V8 Biturbo lettering in a new font, high-gloss black rear diffuser, two chromed twin tailpiles, AMG sports exhaust system and high-gloss black cooling grilles at the front.
On the inside expect a TFT colour display instead of dials and a new touchpad for navigating the infotainment system, which includes radio, navigation and phone connectivity. We’re guessing the S Class Swarovski crystals located in the headlights will feature, too.
As luxury cruisers go, the S 63 AMG is about as deranged as you can get. We can hardly wait to drive it. Expect it to go on sale before 2014 is out.
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