2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG S 65

Introduced in 2003, the S65 AMG was then the most powerful S-Class model as well as the world’s first powerful sedan. Jumping forward in the timeline, late 2017 introduces the 2018 AMG S 65 Coupe. It is a $238,900 high-end luxury automobile, continuing the tradition of AMG branding, a specially tuned performance division by the German manufacturer to showcase pure power and performance, which it sure doesn’t disappoint.

The new AMG S 65 is powered by the tried-and-tested 6.0L V12 engine, boasting a staggering 621 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque right into the aft wheels. The luxury coupe is geared by a 7-speed automatic transmission which also allows manual shifts via the paddle-shifters. The luxurious interior and cabin scream out Mercedes' sheer attention to elegant craftsmanship, which is terrific.

At $238,900, The S 65 does see quite a stiff competition, with the likes of Aston Martin DB11 V12 Coupe, and the Bently Continental GT V8 Coupe. Over the AMG S 65, the DB11 offers better acceleration, fuel economy, and is greener to drive, while the Continental GT remains behind both the vehicles. The S 65 outperforms both its rivals in terms of power, better seating, and comfort.

Trim	Mercedes Benz AMG S 65
MSRP	$238,900
Key Features	Dual Stainless Steel Exhaust w/Chrome Tailpipe Finisher Fixed Glass Panorama 1st And 2nd Row Sunroof w/Power Sunshade Chrome Side Windows Trim and Black Front Windshield Trim Power Open And Close Trunk Rear Cargo Access Radio: COMAND System w/AM/FM/GPS Navigation -inc: iPod/MP3 media interface, Burmester surround sound system and SiriusXM satellite radio 24 Burmester Speakers Bluetooth Wireless Phone Connectivity 2 LCD Monitors In The Front Real-Time Traffic Display Turn-By-Turn Navigation Directions AMG Sport Nappa Leather/Metal-Look Steering Wheel w/Auto Tilt-Away Remote Keyless Entry w/Integrated Key Transmitter, 2 Door Curb/Courtesy, Illuminated Entry, Illuminated Ignition Switch and Panic Button

The AMG S 65 comes in a single trim, only a rear-wheel drive option, with few expansive optional features like:

• AMG High-Performance Ceramic Composite Braking System
• Red-painted brake calipers
• Various alloy wheel selections
• Active multicontour front seats with massage
• Refrigerator box for rear cabin
• Electrically heated windshield

Introduced in 2003, the S65 AMG was then the most powerful S-Class model as well as the world’s first powerful sedan. Jumping forward in the timeline, late 2017 introduces the 2018 AMG S 65 Coupe. It is a $238,900 high-end luxury automobile, continuing the tradition of AMG branding, a specially tuned performance division by the German manufacturer to showcase pure power and performance, which it sure doesn’t disappoint.

“The 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class has nimble handling for a car of its size, as well as a smooth ride and powerful engine options. There are also high-performance trims with lightning-quick acceleration. The S-Class' adaptive suspension keeps the ride enjoyable over bumps and dips in the road.”- cars.usnews

Engine and Transmission

The Mercedes-Benz AMG S 65 is powered by a 6.0L, V12 SOHC Biturbo engine paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission system. The powertrain produces a mighty horsepower and torque of 621 hp and 738 lb-ft respectively. All that power is pushed through the car’s rear-wheel.

To say that S 65 is fast would heavily be an understatement. No really, the car is that quick! The V12 roars past leaving behind dust, with no hiccups in driving. The transmission, on the other hand, has an occasional clunky feeling.

Models	Mercedes Benz AMG S 65	Bentley Continental GT V8 coupe	Aston Martin DB11 V12
MSRP	$238,900	$201,225	$216,495
Engine	6.0L SOHC Biturbo 36-Valve V12	Twin-Turbocharged 4.0L V8	5.2L V12 48 Valve Bi-Turbo
Transmission	7- speed automatic	8-speed automatic	8-speed automatic
Horsepower	621 hp @ 5500 rpm	500 hp @ 6000 rpm	600 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque	738 lb-ft @ 2300 rpm	487 lb-ft @ 1700 rpn	516 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm

Sitting right in the middle is the Aston Martin DB11, which boasts a good 100 hp more than the Continental GT but just 21 hp less than the AMG S 65. What is more surprising is how the Mercedes, being a luxury coupe, is more powerful in comparison to the DB11, which falls under the sports car segment. The Continental GT clearly lacks the power which its rivals offer but it still offers a decent performance in itself.

Acceleration

Powered by a V12 producing a mammoth 621 hp, the S 65 jumps from 0-60 mph in 4.0s and sees 11.9s in the quarter mile. While this isn’t too bad, the Aston Martin DB11 appears a  tad faster in both comparisons. This is surprising to see because the German automobile provides such a great powertrain but loses out to its English counterpart.

The two driving modes, Sport and Sport+, in the S 65 AMG, give the throttle a Herculean kick, where the car squeezes out the massive 738 lt-ft torque and throws it into the rear-wheels, swiftly propelling the car.

Models	Mercedes Benz AMG S 65	Bentley Continental GT V8 coupe	Aston Martin DB11 V12
0-60 MPH	4.0 sec	4.4 sec	3.9 sec
Quarter mile	11.9 sec	13.0 sec	11.7 sec
Engine	6.0L	4.0L	5.2L
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	11.1	9.3	10.4

Emission generated by the Continental GT at 9.3g/mi is better than the S 65 and the DB11. This is because of the different capacity of the engine and the powertrain each car uses. The Mercedes emits the worst amount of CO2, at 11.1, when compared to its rivals.

Handling and steering

The steering wheel of the S 65 is an electromechanical power-steering system configured by AMG and comes with a choice to adjust it according to the driver’s style. It is well balanced and is speed-sensitive.  To provide an enhanced comfort, the car has a feature called Active Ride Control, which will automatically scan the path ahead and adjust the ride accordingly to give a smooth and comfortable drive.

Depending upon the changes made to the different driving modes, the suspension, and the powertrain react accordingly. Sport and Sport+ will tighten the suspension and react more like a racecar. Comfort, on the other hand, will give a nice, normal laid-back driving performance and feel like a well-built luxurious passenger vehicle that Mercedes is famous for.

Braking

AMG have completely redone the brakes in the new 2018 S 65 AMG. The front brake discs are 15.4 inches while the rear measures 14.2 inches. The overall weight is 4,817 lbs which aren’t too heavy while not being too robust.

The S 65 is responsive, comfortable and easy to drive. The pedals are responsive without a hassle, where AMG has done a great job.

Model	Mercedes Benz AMG S 65	Bentley Continental GT V8 coupe	Aston Martin DB11 V12
Brake Front (in.)	15.4	15.9	15.7
Brake Rear (in.)	14.2	13.2	14.2
Curb Weight (lbs.)	4,817	5,060	3,902
60-0 MPH (ft.)	N/A	N/A	N/A

Weighing a good 5,060lbs, the Continental GT still offers great braking and handling, whereas the Aston Martin with excellent handling and ride outperforms both its rivals while remaining lightest at 3,902lbs.

The V12 with all that horsepower and torque will come at a massive expense; fuel economy. While the S 65 isn’t really made for efficiency in mind, it still provides a mere modest mpg. If efficiency is a concern, it’ll be a wise choice to choose the Comfort mode, which switches to using less performance from the engine while also providing a nice and comfortable drive.

Model	Mercedes Benz AMG S 65	Bentley Continental GT V8 coupe	Aston Martin DB11 V12
MPG (city)	13	15	15
MPG (highway)	21	25	21
MPG (combined)	16	19	17

The DB11 with a similar engine and performance gives a tad better mpg compared to the S 65. The Continental GT with a V8 and lesser horsepower and torque evidently gives a better highway mpg yet remains similar to the rest of the field. The DB11 clearly isn’t a bad choice for it gives pretty much similar numbers and is a bit more powerful when compared to its rivals here.

“The 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class has arguably the nicest interior in the super luxury car class or of any car in any class. The cabin is spacious and quiet, and every surface is dripping with luxury. Both rows of seats are roomy and supremely comfortable, and there are a million features (almost literally).”- cars.usnews

Seating and comfort

As soon as one steps in the S 65, one word sure springs to mind; Elegance. The cabin is neatly packed in luxury while looking as elegant as an S-Class would look. It is spacious, comfortable and perfect for long-distance driving. The 4 seats are wrapped with Nappa leather while the upholstery is high-quality stitch. From the steering wheel, to the upholstery, the German manufacturer has made sure no corners are cut in providing top-knotch quality craftmanship and elegance.

All the seats in the car are made with comfort in mind while trying to remain as roomy as possible. The distance between the head and the roof is spacious and doesn’t feel stuffy. The rear seats provide a spacious legroom and can accomodate 2 people with ease; maybe 3 if you actually do stuff in.

Model	Mercedes Benz AMG S 65	Bentley Continental GT V8 coupe	Aston Martin DB11 V12
Passenger capacity	4	4	4
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	39.7/59.7/-	39.6/-/41.3	N/A
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	39.2/59.1/-	36.5/-/32.5	N/A

While all the three cars can accommodate 4 passengers, the Mercedes is a tad more spacious compared to the Bentley and the Aston Martin. In fact, the DB11 barely has any space in the rear, where there’s not much headroom nor legroom for adults but can merely accommodate smaller children or be used as an extension to the boot space. Overall, the S 65 is more spacious and can accommodate passengers rather easily.

Interior features

Some standard interior features include:

• Nappa leather seats and headliner
• Heated front armrests
• All-LED interior lighting
• Apple CarPlay
• Android Auto
• NFC technology
• 12.3-inch infotainment system
• AMG illuminated door sills
• Automatic interior temperature control

Some optional interior features include:

• Active multicontour front seats with massage
• Refrigerator box for the rear cabin
• AMG Head-up display
• 4G LTE Wifi Hotspot
• Electrically heated windshield

Cargo Volume

The S 65 comes with a generous 14.1ft boot space as compared to 12.6ft in Bentley. The Aston Martin, on the other hand, is just not made for distant trips. It can stuff luggage for a road trip but that’s about it. The S 65 and the Bentley offer larger cargo volume than the Aston Martin, where the S 65 triumphs both the cars in offering a larger boot space.

Model	Mercedes Benz AMG S 65	Bentley Continental GT V8 coupe	Aston Martin DB11 V12
Cargo Volume (ft.3)	14.1	12.6	9.5

“Yet despite the visual impact of this car, the style is in the same spirit as the rest of the S-Class lineup: powerful and elegant, not in-your-face. Sedan, coupe and convertible alike show a clean, smooth face to the wind, with graceful lines flowing from nose to tail.”- Kelley Blue Book

Dimensions and Weight

The S 65 weighs 4,817lbs while measuring 198.9in in length. 75.3in in width, and 56.1in in height. The Coupe doesn’t seem too long nor too small, but perfect for a coupe. From the ground, it measures 4.6in, which is a tad too close to the ground; watch out for those huge bumps along the way!

The wheelbase is far longer than its rivals, measuring at 115.9. Even with these measurements, the car is easy to maneuver without a hassle, while maintaining a good turning radius.

Model	Mercedes Benz AMG S 65	Bentley Continental GT V8 coupe	Aston martin DB11 V12
Curb weight (lbs.)	4,817	5,060	3,902
Length(in)	198.9	189.3	186.6
Width(in)	75.3	76.7	76.4
Height(in)	56.1	55.2	50.4
Ground clearance (in)	4.6	5.5	4.7
Wheelbase (in)	115.9	108.0	110.4
Track width (in) F/R	64.1/64.7	65.5/65.2	N/A

The S 65 sits along the likes of Continental GT and DB11, but measures a bit longer in its wheelbase, ensuring a better and stable ride, and length. The DB11 weighs the least amongst the other two cars, and measures the shortest, while the S 65 is the tallest amongst the rest. The Continental GT has the best ground clearance amongst the rest while also maintaining a sort of middle-ground between the DB11 and S 65.

Exterior features

Some standard features included are:

• All-LED exterior lightning
• OLED taillamps
• Panamericana grille with vertical strakes
• Side mirrors with turn-signal indicators
• Panorama roof

Some optional features include:

• Various selections of spokes and colors for the 20inch alloy wheels
• AMG exterior carbon fiber build
• Red-painted brake calipers
• Gloss black mesh grilles

All the safety features in the S 65 come as standard and no optional features are provided. Some of them are

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• ABS and Driveline Traction Control
• Dual Stage Driver and Passenger Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
• Blind Spot Assist/Blind Spot Sensor
• eCall Emergency System/Emergency SOS
• Parktronic w/Active Parking Assist/Automated Parking sensors
• Collision Prevention Assist Plus Forward Collision
• Driver and Passenger Knee Airbag and Rear Side-Impact Airbag

The Mercedes Benz AMG S 65 is yet to be rated by the NHTSA and IIHS.

AMG S 65 Coupe vs Bentley Continental GT V8 Coupe

The Continental GT V8 costs more than $35,000 less than the S 65, while offering a 4.0L V8, 8-speed automatic transmission. It offers 121 less horsepower and a massive difference of over 250lb-ft in torque. While not offering as powerful powertrain as compared the S 65, the GT V8 does offer a better mpg and few features seen in the Mercedes, and does manage to stay head-to-head in those segments. It offers a balanced ride and handling while giving a modest performance for the powertrain offered, all for less CO2 emission as well.

By no means is the Continental GT a bad choice if affordability is a problem when considering the Mercedes.

AMG S 65 Coupe vs Aston Martin DB11 V12

The Aston Martin DB11 V12 costs $216,498 and basically sits right in the sweet spot when considering either the Bentley or the Mercedes. It offers a pretty powerful engine, a better pick up, great design, comfort albeit only for 2 people, lesser cargo volume, and an excellent ride and balance in driving. It offers almost the same mpg, if not better by a bit, and emits less CO2 as compared to the S 65.

The car weighs way lighter compared to the S 65 and performs similarly in driving. Paddle-shifting enthusiasts will be disappointed to know that the DB11 does not come with a manual transmission, something the S 65 offers. Yet it is a great alternative to the S 65.

Without a doubt the new S 65 proves to be a complete package; it’s got the looks, the design, the powertrain, the comfort, the elegance, and the style. But is it worth the hefty price tag of $238,900? Well, that depends on who you ask that. It is not a car you buy every once in a while (unless you have that sort of money) but it’s something you invest in and drive it out at your own leisure time. Sure it has got everything the S-Class segments offered by Mercedes, but for that price range, there are definitely other fishes in the sea!

The S 65 just does not seem to be justifiable a buy given how expensive it is, but it sure does have that appeal to want to buy it! For instance, its sister model, the S 63 which costs a good $70,000 less, offers a V8 but has mostly all the features in the S 65 and is even quicker than the V12! So why the S 65? One word when it comes to choosing the best Mercedes has to offer - Premium, and that’s exactly why you’d rather buy the S 65; not because you need it or can afford it, but you want the best Mercedes there is.