First look: Benz lets S-class AMGs slip
BY MARTON PETTENDY | 16th Apr 2009
Expected on sale in Australia as part of the facelifted S-class limousine range that arrives here in August following its reveal at last week’s New York motor show, the S63 and S65 AMGs emerged on Daimler’s online model configurator this week.
In the absence of an AMG-fettled version of the new E-class Coupe, which would have replaced the current CLK63 AMG but has been deemed too close for comfort to the CLS63, the upgraded S63 and S65 AMGs will hog all of Mercedes’ limelight at Auto Shanghai 2009 next week.
Providing greater visual impact than their predecessors are the same upgrades that apply to the rest of the facelifted S-class range, including new LED daytime running light, more aggressive front and rear bumper treatments and fresh alloy wheels.
To this, the S63 and S65 add three and four-bar chromed grilles respectively, as well as carrying over traditional AMG cue like quad exhaust outlets and bootlid badging.
Alas, there are no changes to the 386kW/630Nm 6.2-litre V8 that powers the S63 AMG, which scores Mercedes’ 7G-Tronic seven-speed auto, nor the 450kW/1000Nm twin-turbo 6.0-litre V12 found in the S65 AMG, which sticks with its five-speed auto.