2009 Auto Shanghai – New Mercedes-Benz S63 and S65 AMG Debut in China
The top S-Class models from Mercedes, the S63 and S65 AMG, made their official debut at the 2009 Shanghai Motor Show. For those geographically challenged, that is in China, an emerging market that more and more automakers are targeting. There is nothing groundbreaking with the new models but the refresh is both noticeable and noteworthy. Some cool technological enhancements are found in the Active Body Control system which provides cross-wind stabilization, the Torque Vectoring Brake system that applies the brakes to the inner rear wheels for precise cornering and the Direct-steer system for responsive handling.
The 2010 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG features the Company’s 6.3-liter V8 engine which is good for 525 hp and a 0 to 62 mph time of 4.6 seconds. The S65 AMG offers a 6.0-liter V12 engine putting out 612 hp and an insane 738 lb-ft of torque, which leads me to believe that they will soon begin developing thrusters for the Space Shuttle. This allows the car to perform 0 to 62 mph in 4.4 seconds. Both engines are very close to the previous year’s but provide a 3% reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emmisions. Hey, you gotta start somewhere. Both models are electronically limited to 155 mph and feature automatic SPEEDSHIFT transmissions (7-speed for the S63 and 5-speed for the S65) with steering wheel mounted paddle-shifters.
2010 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG Gallery
The two models share the same basic shape but a number of components, particularly aesthetic touches, separate the two. I guess that’s where the $70k price spread is made up because the performance delta between the two is minimal. The S65 AMG comes with chrome plated louvres in the radiator grill while both models have LED daytime driving lights with air dams on each side. Written across the front wings and mirrors is either V12 Biturbo or 6.3 AMG for the lesser model. Both models feature 52 LEDs making out a double C in the tail lamps and a revised rear bumper with integrated diffuser, while the V8 comes with 19 inch multi-spoke wheels and the V12, 20 inch wheels.
2010 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG Gallery
Pricing for the new 2010 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG and S65 AMG has not been officially released but look for the V8 model to hover around $130,000 while the V12 commands upwards of $200,000.
Source: Mercedes-Benz