AMG updates its luxury bahnstormers!

Abhishek Nigam    7 July 2009

Mercedes-Benz have always been the pioneers as far as luxury vehicles are concerned and the S-class for long has been touted as the best car in the world. But as the saying goes "More is never enough". AMG is renowned for converting the subtle Merc's into manic monsters and what it has done to the S-class is no less. The S63 and the S65 AMG have been around for quite a while and the in-house tuner has just given both these machines a through onceover.

On the outside the cars get a more pronounced arrow-shaped radiator grille, featuring twin chromed louvres in the case of the S 65 AMG. The new front apron incorporates striking, AMG-specific LED daytime driving lights and two transverse air outlets on each side. Further striking features include the "6.3 AMG" or "V12 Biturbo" lettering on the front wings, and redesigned exterior mirrors. . New tail lights with 52 LEDs in the form of a double "C" also give the S-Class an unmistakable appearance from behind. A distinctive element of both models comes in the guise of the AMG sports exhaust with two chromed twin tailpipes, featuring a V12 design in the case of the S 65 AMG. Visual aspects which distinguish the V8 from the V12 model also include the attractive AMG light-alloy wheels: the S 63 AMG has 19-inch AMG multi-spoke wheels paintedtitanium grey with a high-sheen finish and come fitted with massive 255/40 section front and 275/40 rear tyres. The S 65 AMG, on the other hand, comes with 20-inch AMG forged wheels painted titanium grey with a mirror finish and fitted with 255/35 front and 275/35 rear tyres.

The interiors receive exclusive treatment as well. As soon as its door is opened, the S 65 AMG welcomes the driver with large, animated AMG V12 BITURBO lettering in the instrument cluster's central display. In the case of the S 63 AMG, the extensive range of standard equipment includes not only PASSION leather appointments, with natural leather in the seat side bolsters, but also front AMG sports seats with climate control, massage, multicontour and dynamic handling function. The Exclusive PASSION leather upholstery in the S 65 AMG, meanwhile, with its AMG V12 diamond pattern design, exudes an air of even greater refinement. Ample use of trim elements and the AMG-specific analogue clock, featuring an IWC design, are a given in both AMG models. Both the AMG Speedshift 7G-tronic of the S 63 AMG, as well as the five-speed automatic AMG Speedshift transmission of the S 65 AMG, are fitted with Direct Select gearshift.

Under the hood lie two of the most powerful production engines that seem to be engineered for an airplane rather than a car. The S 63 AMG possesses a 6.3-litre V8 naturally aspirated engine which develops a mental 525 PS and a stump pulling 630 Nm of torque which enables this behemoth to hit 100 km/h in just 4.6 seconds. If you thought those are mad figures for a luxobarge then wait till you have a look at the S65. Snarling beneath that large expanse of a hood lies a 6.0 litre biturbo V12 unit which makes a supercar crushing 612 PS and an almost Bugatti Veyron matching 1000 Nm of torque. While you sip away in the lavish rear seats, the S65 will be busy blowing up two seater supercars to smithereens. Both cars are electronically limited to 250 km/h.

And it's no slouch around the corners either. The AMG sports suspension based on Active Body Control (ABC) provides crosswind stabilisation as standard equipment for the first time thanks to this function, influences caused by crosswinds are compensated for, or in the case of strong gusts reduced to a minimum. Also making up the standard equipment is the new Torque Vectoring Brake: when cornering, brief direct application of the brakes has an effect on the vehicle's inner rear wheel so that the saloon corners precisely and under control at all times.

With the rich fatcats all over the world already owning hordes of S-classes, the AMG is the natural choice if you want to stand out among the creme de la creme.