Mercedes-Benz S 65 AMG – 630 horsepower V12 power for when a V8 AMG isn’t enough

Mercedes-Benz S 65 AMG (V 222) 2013

Mercedes-Benz has pulled the wraps off its second W222 AMG model – the S 65 AMG, which also happens to be the first V12-engined latest generation S-Class to be unveiled. No S 600 has been announced yet, though we expect this could change with the launch of the extended wheelbase and Pullman models.

The S 65 AMG’s 6.0 litre twin turbo V12 produces 630 hp from as early as 4,800 rpm and sustains it to 5,400 rpm. Peak torque is a massive 1,000 Nm from 2,300 to 4,300 rpm – 100 Nm higher than the S 63 AMG’s twin-turbo V8.

And unlike the last generation which used a five-speed auto, the new S 65 AMG gets the seven-speed AMG Speedshift Plus 7G-Tronic gearbox. 0 to 100km/h takes just 4.3 seconds. The motor has a grand total of 24 spark plugs!

Mercedes-Benz S 65 AMG (V 222) 2013

On the exterior, several design cues separate the S 65 AMG from other models of S-Class, including the V8 AMG model. The grille is unique to the V12 model – it has a six twin-louvre design. The grille on the bumper is also chrome by default, though a customer may specify it in black instead.

Wheels are 20 inches by default – 8.5 inches wide at the front and 9.5 inches wide at the rear. The light alloy wheels are wrapped with 255/40 and 285/35 tyres. They are of a 16-spoke design, but three other designs can be specified – two 10-spoke designs and a 5 twin-spoke design.

There are two ‘firsts’ in this car that’s never been seen before on any production Mercedes-Benz, not even other W222 S-Class. The first is a new touchpad for the COMAND system – an input area about 6.5 x 4.5 cm in size in place of the COMAND dial’s palm rest. It can recognise one and two finger gestures, swipe gestures and zoom gestures.

mercedes-touchpad

Aft of the touch pad are three touch-sensitive keys that function as a back button, a favourites button and an audio menu button, rather like the layout of a modern Android phone actually.

You can continue to use the area as a palm rest as Mercedes-Benz has programmed the system to recognise whether you are just resting your hand or performing some kind of touch input. The next car to debut this will probably be the C-Class as we’ve seen it featured in official teaser photos.

Another ‘first’ is a colour heads-up display, which projects in an area the size of 21 x 7 cm about two metres in front of the driver. The display shows information like speed, speed limits, navigation info, traffic signs, Distronic Plus info, gear indicator, and in manual mode it even shows a shift indicator to signal when you should change gears.

The new S 65 AMG will debut simultaneously at the LA and Tokyo shows this month, and will go to market in March next year for 232,050 euros (RM985k), including 19% VAT.


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Paul Tan

After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history.

 

Comments

  • There was a saying that an Engineer in the AMG factory once shouted ‘Nein, zat iz too much Power!!’ and some say he is still hiding from the mass witch hunt that is after him ever since.

    Seriously that much power is really not necessary after the S63 AMG, but than again why the hell not? Its a final display of wealth and power, and a show of AMG prowess with the dying breed of 12-cylinders. AMG, Vosprung durch Ubermacht .

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 4
    • Jimmy on Nov 10, 2013 at 12:44 pm

      To me, an ordinary S-class is enough. Younger ones will want AMG which carries some image that older people may not want.
      Toys are different, we don’t drive our toys to important functions.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
      • Too anyone that can’t afford it(99% of the worlds population, me included) an ordinary S-class is definitely enough. Hack a 2nd hand W221 is already enough. But put yourself in a deffrent position, a random sheik in Dubai, a rich casino owning playboy in Moscow or a wealthy CEO in China. where all their friends and counterparts are already having the ‘normal’ S-class, they want to just go the extra mile, too just say I have the better toy and the S65 does that.

        And no they do drive their toys to important function, its to show their status hierachy.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 23 Thumb down 1
    • S Class having a V12 is like an Ah Pek wearing a nice shining Nike shoes

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 12
  • GT-Rider on Nov 10, 2013 at 1:58 am

    Too many spark plugs but still…..sigh

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 2
  • Gavin on Nov 10, 2013 at 8:08 am

    24 plugs, I was expecting they were gonna use some laser ignition as a first

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • benzs on Nov 10, 2013 at 10:28 am

    Mainly not compatible for most driver. Too huge engine consume more petrol, the quantity of spark plug is like having normal 6 unit 4 pot engine. Only mercs enthusiast will go for this.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • Just A Nobody on Nov 10, 2013 at 10:49 am

    Higher class people are getting fatter, so yeah, that 6.0l TT V12 might come in handy hauling them around.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • Jimmy on Nov 10, 2013 at 12:36 pm

    There is definite difference between CBU and Malaysian CKD which to a lot of people is good enough since some of them are not so fussy.
    Pay attention to details.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • Millions on Nov 10, 2013 at 6:01 am

    This certainly will be RM 2mil in price. So, this or the Mclaren 12C?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
    • azman on Nov 10, 2013 at 7:41 pm

      Mclaren 12C of course.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 4
      • Fahmi on Nov 11, 2013 at 12:59 am

        The riches mostly need the comfortable ride of S65 AMG more than performance of MP4-12C, they have driver to do the job, they just sit back and relax in the comfy individual back seats…

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
    • Sam Loo (used kimchi) on Nov 11, 2013 at 1:09 am

      Lexus ES is better than this junk anytime. It won so many awards and even the russians are impressed by it.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 19
  • Anton Sevidov on Nov 10, 2013 at 2:23 pm

    Badass looking car!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • Jilbaber on Nov 10, 2013 at 11:05 pm

    still haven’t officially reach this beloved country but already come with so many variant already..man I can’t wait to spend my whole EPF on this!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
  • Fahmi on Nov 11, 2013 at 1:02 am

    Its not your everyday Mercedes.. Its a monster!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • farghmee on Nov 11, 2013 at 10:21 am

    Absolut Luxus!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 2
 

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