Joining the ‘standard’ 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Coupe and Cabriolet models at Frankfurt will be the refreshed AMG S63 Coupe and
Cabriolet and AMG S65 Coupe and Cabriolet.
The facelifted S63 models ditch
Mercedes-AMG’s twin-turbo 5.5-liter in favor of the latest 4.0-liter biturbo V8
with 603 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque. This new engine is mated to the AMG
Speedshift MCT 9G transmission and a variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+
transmission, allowing the new S63 Coupe and Cabriolet to reach 96
km/h in a blistering 3.4 seconds. Top speed of both models sits at a limited 300 km/h.
The S63 Coupe also incorporates the AMG Cylinder
Management cylinder deactivation system which deactivates cylinders two, three,
five and eight when they’re not needed.
As for the refreshed S65 Coupe and Cabriolet, they
continue to be powered by the firm’s handcrafted twin-turbo 6.0-liter V12
delivering the same 621 hp and 738 lb-ft as the current car. Rear-wheel drive
is standard alongside a seven-speed transmission. Naught to 60 mph is dealt
with in 4 seconds flat.
The most striking visual difference between the new
models and the old ones is the adoption of the brand’s Panamericana grille,
first used on the AMG GT R. Like the non-AMG models, OLED taillights are
standard for both the S63 and S65 and new wheels are also on offer. The
16-spoke, 20-inch wheels of the S65 Coupe and Cabriolet are of particular
interest and feature spokes that appear to twist to the center of the wheel hub
which AMG says creates the illusion of them being bigger than they actually
are.
None of the facelifted S63 or S65 models are light
so good braking systems are obligatory. The entire range therefore include
composite brake discs measuring 15.4-inch at the front with 6-piston aluminium
calipers and 14.2-inch at the rear with single-piston calipers.
