With the first drive event of the all-new Mercedes-Benz S-Class just a week away, the Stuttgart manufacturer has titillated us even further by unveiling details, images and video (see below) of the range-topping S-Class limousine: the Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG. Using an AMG Bi-Turbo 6.0-litre V12, or as the Germans pronounce it, ‘bee-turbo;’ the V12 super-limo is power, performance and elegance personified and works if the 436 kW S63 AMG is a little underdone for your liking.
The S65 AMG may very well be eclipsed by the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Pullman later on in its product life or yet another Maybach for that matter, but for now, the massively powerful S65 AMG is the top-dog of all three-pointed stars. Much like the Jaguar F-Type Coupe, the new S65 AMG and will get its public debut at both the Los Angles and Tokyo Motor Shows later this month.
The AMG 6.0 litre V12 produces a hearty 456 kW of power and a piffling 1000 Nm of torque, of no that number isn’t piffling at all. Such firepower under the bonnet means the S65 AMG will rocket to 100 km/h in just 4.3 seconds and still average 12.5 L/100 km on a combined fuel economy cycle and emits only 279 g/km of CO2. Mercedes-Benz says this makes the S65 AMG the most efficient V12 in the world.
This is achievable because the Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG gets stop/start tech, some clever alternator management, an aluminium crankcase, a lithium-ion battery that’s 20kg lighter than before, multi-spark ignition and a carbon fibre engine cover. Standard AMG drivetrain fare to handle the volcanic power and torque is the Speedshift Plus 7G-Tronic seven-speed gearbox with three driving modes – Controlled Efficiency (C), Sport (S) and Manual (M). Expect the new Mercedes S65 AMG will go on sale in spring 2014, and will cost around £200 000 (or R3.2-million in a direct conversion). Watch the Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG in action in this video:
