C217 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe and A217 S-Class Cabriolet facelifts revealed – including AMG versions

At long last, Mercedes-Benz has finally unveiled the facelifted C217 S-Class Coupe and A217 S-Class Cabriolet, just a few months after the updated W222 S-Class Sedan made its debut in China. Unsurprisingly, both receive revisions that are pretty similar to what was done on the sedan, and the AMG versions also get their share of changes as well.

There’s quite a bit to dive into, and we’ll start with the non-AMG versions of the S-Class Coupe and Cabriolet. On the outside, both receive new front and rear bumpers, the former featuring a chrome-plated front splitter and sizeable air inlets. With the AMG Line styling package, the front apron becomes more striking with the addition of two chrome-plated fins within the inlets.

Meanwhile, the rear sees a “V12 look” thanks to the chrome-plated twin tailpipe trims, which replace the dual outlets on the pre-facelift model. As we’ve been shown previously, OLED (organic light emitting diode) taillights are another addition here, where each of the 66 OLED elements (33 in each cluster) are printed on a glass plate to create the interesting look you see here.

Aside from putting on a show when locking or unlocking the car, the OLED units also illuminate at different levels of intensity for brake lamps and turn signal indicators depending on the driving condition and ambient brightness.

Other changes include new side skirts and wheel options, the latter includes two new ones that are available with the AMG Line. These are 20-inch AMG 10-spoke alloy wheels with either AMG wheel arch flares painted in titanium grey with a high-sheen finish (optional for AMG Line) or painted in high-gloss black with a high-sheen finish (optional for AMG Line Plus).

Moving inside, the Widescreen Cockpit no longer sees a separator between the two 12.3-inch screens, and there’s a new steering wheel that features Touch Control Buttons, just like on the sedan. The COMAND Online infotainment continues to offer a wide range of services like 3D hard-disc navigation, Car-to-X warnings, smartphone connectivity and concierge-on-call. Access is still done via the touchpad with controller on the centre console or LINGUATRONIC voice control.

Another carryover from the latest S-Class Sedan is the optional Energising comfort control, which calls upon multiple systems (climate control, fragrancing, seats, lighting and media) to ensure you’re in the right mood. There are six programmes here – Freshness, Warmth, Vitality, Joy, Comfort and Training – each running for ten minutes.

On the driving front, both the coupe and cabriolet receive an expanded Intelligent Drive suite of driver assistance systems, which is pretty much similar to what is found on the sedan. This also includes the improved Magic Body Control that works at speeds of up to 180 km/h to pre-empt the suspension to deal with bumps sighted further up the road. The S-Class Cabriolet is fitted as standard with the Airmatic air suspension featuring infinitely variable damping control.

Once again, like the sedan, the M176 4.0 litre biturbo V8 engine which provides 469 hp and 700 is fitted to the new S 560 4Matic Coupe and S 560 Cabriolet. This engine replaces the previous 4.7 litre V8 found in the pre-facelift variants of the coupe and cabriolet. The new engine comes with cylinder deactivation technology to save fuel, and is mated to a nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic transmission.

The S-Class Coupe is the only model that is offered in S 450 4Matic guise, which is powered by a 3.0 litre biturbo V6 engine with 367 hp and 500 Nm of torque. It too is paired with the 9G-Tronic automatic transmission, and has a gliding function to contribute to efficiency.

Now we enter the AMG side of things, where both coupe and cabriolet body styles are available in S 63 4Matic+ and S 65 guises. On the former, a M177 4.0 litre biturbo V8 churns out 612 hp and 900 Nm of torque, while the latter is a more potent 6.0 litre biturbo V12 with 630 hp and 1,000 Nm of torque.

The smaller of the two engines is paired with a nine-speed AMG Speedshift MCT automatic, whereas the V12 gets older seven-speed AMG Speedshift TCT 7G-Tronic auto instead. Curiously, only left-hand drive versions of the S 63 Coupe and Cabriolet will come with the AMG Performance 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system, with rear-wheel drive being standard on right-hand drive versions. No confusion for the S 65 models, as rear-wheel drive is standard on both body styles.

Performance wise, both body styles are nigh identical, with the S 63 4Matic+ accomplishing the 0-100 km/h sprint in 3.5 seconds. The V12-powered S 65s will do the same a tad slower at 4.1 seconds, and the top speed is limited to 250 km/h on all AMG variants (300 km/h with the AMG Driver’s package).

On the S 65 Coupe, you’ll find the exclusive AMG Active Ride control that continuously monitors and adjusts the car’s suspension to deal with bumps ahead of time. It is also adjustable depending on driving situations, raising by up to 40 mm for better ground clearance, and lowering by up to 15 mm to reduce drag.

Other AMG items include the electromechanical speed-sensitive sports steering and AMG high-performance compound braking system. As with other AMGs, Dynamic Select adjusts the engine, transmission, suspension, steering, ESP and all-wheel drive (if present) corresponding to different driving modes selected.

As for the visual makeover, the AMG versions of the coupe and cabriolet now feature the AMG Panamericana radiator grille, as well as a “hovering jet wing” in the front apron. The face also includes large air inlets and a front splitter that helps reduce lift on the front axle.

At the rear, there’s now an updated rear apron with a new diffuser insert and redesigned, model-specific twin tailpipes of the AMG exhaust system. OLED taillights are also present here, and you get a variety of wheel choices ranging from 19- to 20-inch sizes with several finishes and designs.

Inside, all the changes on the non-AMG versions are carried over, but with a few model-specific additions. Among them are AMG power sports seats, an IWC design analogue clock, Performance steering wheel and AMG Track Pace, the last of which allows one to record vehicle data and lap times.

As a specialty, the carmaker is also introducing an exclusive Yellow Night Edition of the S 63 4Matic (LHD) and S 63 (RHD). Painted in a choice of selenite grey magno or night black magno, the car comes with lots of yellow accents to ensure you know its special. It also comes with the Aerodynamic package and AMG racing stripes. Other add-ons are found in the interior, with more yellow cues and Exclusive Package.

Mercedes-AMG S 65 Coupe

Mercedes-AMG S 65 Cabriolet

Mercedes-AMG S 63 4Matic+ Coupe

Mercedes-AMG S 63 4Matic+ Cabriolet

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet

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