If for some reason the facelifted W222 Mercedes-Benz
S-Class doesn’t tickle your fancy, well, these ought to do the job. Launched
alongside the S 450 L and Maybach S 560 are their sleeker two-door
counterparts, the facelifted A217 S 560 Cabriolet and the beastly C217 AMG S 63
Coupé. Needless to say, both the cars sit within the MB Dream Cars line-up.
Much like the W222 sedan, these million-ringgit plus
models receive similar revisions in general, but let’s start with the topless
German. On the outside, the S 560 Cabriolet gets new front and rear bumpers,
the former highlighted by the familiar diamond grille, chrome-plated front
splitter and bigger air inlets. It sits on 20-inch twin five-spoke wheels as
standard.
The rear gets a more distinctive look, thanks to the
new OLED (organic LED) tail lights. Each cluster features 33 ultra-flat OLED
elements that are printed on a glass plate to create the visually impressive
design you see here. The luminance varies depending on ambient brightness,
driving condition, braking and turn signals. An animated ‘light show’ will also
be put on when locking and unlocking the vehicle.
Inside, the dual 12.3-inch screens that form the
widescreen cockpit are no longer separated, and there’s a new steering wheel
with touch control buttons that respond to swiping motions. There’s a COMAND
Online infotainment system (with updated interface) that offers 3D hard-disc
GPS navigation and smartphone connectivity, along with Apple CarPlay and
Android Auto as well as Qi wireless charging for phones.
There are three new trim lines available, which are
high-gloss brown burr walnut wood, satin-finish grey ash wood and flowing lines
designo magnolia wood. These get complemented with three upholstery options.
Powering the S 560 Cabriolet is the M176 4.0 litre
bi-turbo V8 engine which provides
469 hp and 700 Nm of torque, replacing the previous 4.7 litre V8 found in the
pre-facelift model. The new motor comes with cylinder deactivation technology
for further fuel savings, and it’s mated to a nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic
transmission.
Airmatic air suspension with infinitely variable
damper control is standard here. Driving assistance systems for the Cabriolet
include semi-autonomous driving technology, Active Distance Control DISTRONIC
and Active Steering Assist.
Next up, the Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupé. Immediately
evident on this Yellow Night Edition variant is the new AMG Panamericana
radiator grille (new AMG family look), V-shaped air intakes, gloss black
garnish around the jet wing apron, carbon side mirror caps, 20-inch twin
eight-spoke AMG alloys as well as an updated rear apron. The gorgeous OLED tail
lights are also fitted here, and the rear look is made to look sportier with
carbon-fibre diffusers accompanied by the trademark AMG quad exhaust system.
In continuing the black and yellow highlights of the
exterior, the cabin gets a beautiful set of perforated leather seats, complete
with yellow piping and stitching. This theme continues to be seen on the
steering wheel, which includes yellow inseams and a 12 o’ clock marker.
The dash, meanwhile, gets carbon trimmings which
extend to the door cards, and it get an embossed AMG emblem on the armrest, IWC
analogue clock with three-dimensional, milled metal hands and genuine metal
appliqués on the face.
An item specific to the AMG S 63 Coupé is the AMG
menu displayed on the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, providing
information such as engine and transmission oil temperature, lateral and
longitudinal acceleration, engine output and torque, boost pressure, tyre
temperatures and pressures as well as the current vehicle setup.
Under the bonnet lurks a M177 4.0 litre bi-turbo V8,
tuned to pack 612 hp and 900 Nm of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels
(only left-hand drive models get 4Matic+ all wheel drive) through a nine-speed
AMG Speedshift MCT automatic (not a dual clutch; now updated with a wet clutch
instead of a torque converter), enabling a century sprint time of 4.2 seconds
before reaching an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h (300 km/h with
the AMG Driver’s Package).
Cylinder deactivation tech is present as well – in
the partial-load range, cylinders two, three, five and eight are deactivated to
help lower fuel consumption. In Comfort mode, these cylinders are deactivated
between 1,000 to 3,500 rpm.
Speaking of the drive modes, there are six of them
to choose from, including Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Individual, Race and Curve.
Race mode primes the driveline for maximum driving dynamics, with all
parameters configured for peak performance. In Curve mode, the car engages the
Magic Body Control suspension to tilt the vehicle inwards – by up to 2.65
degrees – during cornering, reducing perceived lateral forces and improves ride
quality. Braking power comes from huge 390 mm x 36 mm composite brake discs
with six-piston aluminium calipers up front and 360 mm x 24 mm discs with
single-piston calipers at the back. And of course, being an AMG, the
S 63 Coupé is fitted with an AMG Performance exhaust system for the full aural
shebang. The infinitely adjustable flaps will open or close depending on the
drive mode, but can also be activated separately through a switch.
This Exclusive Yellow Night Edition model you see
here is painted in selenite grey magno, but a night black magno with the
accompanying yellow accents can be had as well. The yellow brake calipers on
the other hand, are standard for Edition 1 variants.
Finally, pricing, where we did say at the start
these are million-ringgit plus models. The S 560 Cabriolet is priced at RM 1.31
million and the S 63 Coupé retails for RM 1.46 million.
