2014 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG Coupe 6.0 V12 7AT (630 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Mercedes-Benz threw its gloves off when it made the S65 AMG coupe and launched it on the market in 2014, continuing a long range of high-performance luxury coupes.

In late 2013, Mercedes-Benz stormed the Frankfurt International Motor Show floors when it unveiled the concept version of the S-Class coupe, testing reactions for a production model. People reacted positively, and as a result, in March 2014, at the Geneva Motor Show, the German automaker unveiled the final product. Starting in September of the same year, the three-pointed star brand released two AMG versions: the S63 and the S65. While a turbocharged V8 powered the former, the latter featured a mighty turbocharged V12.

The S-Class coupe was already known as a luxurious personal vehicle fit for long-distance runs, but the car didn’t impress in terms of aggressiveness. AMG tried to fix that and installed its known A-shaped lower grille on the air dam flanked by a pair of scoops. All these details were covered with a chicken-grille-style mesh. At the same time, the upper grille featured the same pattern but with a double-slat trim in the middle that supported the three-pointed star badge. The headlights featured LEDs for the daytime running lights, which looked like pearls. On the sides, the V12 TWINTURBO badges mounted on the front fenders warned bystanders that this was no ordinary vehicle. It wasn’t just another GT; it was a faster one.

Inside, Mercedes-Benz threw every luxury item it had in its baskets when it made the car. There was a completely digital display for the instrument cluster and the infotainment system that sat atop the dashboard, covered by a visor to protect it from the sun. The seats featured massage and inflatable areas to keep their occupants in place. In the back, the bench seat was wide enough for three but profiled for two, with a massive center console between them. A superior entertainment system with 24 speakers indulged the cabin’s occupants with a high-quality sound.

But the S65 AMG was more than just a luxo-barge; it was mean and powerful. In fact, the twin-turbo V12 under the hood provided so much torque that the automaker had no other choice than to pair it with an AMG-tuned seven-speed automatic gearbox (AMG Speedshift) and rear-wheel drive only. Its less-powered sibling, the S63, was available with an all-wheel-drive system. But the massive 1000 Nm (738 lb-ft.) of torque was just too much for front shafts. Still, AMG tweaked not just the powertrain but also the intelligent suspension system, enhancing Mercedes’ Active Body Control (ABC) unit. This system “read” the road through two cameras on the windshield and adapted the dampers accordingly to compensate for bumps and potholes. In the AMG version, the same system let the massive, 2.2-ton (4,817 lbs) vehicle lean into the curve like a motorcyclist, albeit not at the same angle. As a result, the only body roll felt by those inside the vehicle was caused by the low-profile tires, so it was minimal.