Austria is clearly a wealthy country. Its
citizens are informed, sophisticated and impeccably dressed. Walk the
pedestrian-friendly streets of Salzburg and the clothing-shop windows show
formal suits, ties, cravats and scarves … all of which make it the perfect city
for launching the latest edition of the imperious Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the
S63 AMG. Sitting in this, the most powerful version of the new W222 range, you
cannot but draw comparisons between the urbane elegance of the surrounds and
the degree of intelligent engineering imbued in Stuttgart’s flagship.
Two months ago, we drove the S350 Bluetec
at its international launch in Canada and the car blew us away with a blend of
comfort and the highest level of technology currently offered in passenger AMG
did not mess with this philosophy. Instead, for the customer who prefers to
actually drive their S-Class rather than be driven (which many S-Class owners
will opt for), it has improved the car in a number of fundamental ways.
The
Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG takes to passes better than we had any right to expect
The AMG heart
The M157 engine – also used in the E63 AMG
S – has undergone a host of software changes before being fitted to the S63 AMG
and the entire exhaust system was re-engineered for a softer and more
restrained note. The big surprise, though, is that, rather than blunting the
engine, the result of all this work is the most powerful iteration of AMG’s
5.5-litre biturbo V8 to date.
For the first time, the S63 AMG is
available with Mercedes-Benz’s 4Matic all-wheel-drive system (as are
left-hand-drive E63 AMGs), which gives it a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of
only 4.0 seconds. This model is not destined for our shores, but fortunately
the 70 kg lighter short-wheelbase, rear-wheel-drive version is. Even though the
SA-spec S63 AMG will tip the scale at a hefty 1,970 kg, it’s still 100 kg
lighter than the outgoing S63 AMG thanks to such mass-reducing measures as a
carbon-fibre spare-wheel recess, much lighter wheels and, for the first time,
optional carbon-composite brakes.
The
sumptuous interior is loaded with new technologies, but we’re not too sure
about the configurable mood lighting
Ride Dynamics
In terms of the driving experience, you can
choose between various suspension and transmission settings. And no, there
isn’t ESP Sport or Race Start. And that’s totally understandable; this, after
all, is more of a gentleman’s cruiser than a lithe sports car.
Maintaining a cushioning ride quality is
always challenging on such sportily inclined tyres, but AMG has managed it
perfectly. Even with the AMG sports suspension, combined here with Magic Body
Control, the car soaks up bumps in a way I’ve rarely experienced before. In the
process, you discover how well isolated both front and especially rear-seated
passengers are from the outside world, especially once you’ve rested your head
on the rear seat’s head-rest cushion.
So, yes, the S63 AMG can do luxury like few
other vehicles. But there is another layer to the car’s character. And I needed
little provocation after this juicy piece of advice from AMG’s new chief,
Tobias Moers: “You should experience this car on track; it is actually quite
phenomenal.”
This
model boasts specially developed, forged-alloy wheels
On the road
With the suspension set to sport, the
transmission to manual and active lumbar support cradling my lower back, I
slowly increase pressure on the accelerator. Even in fourth gear, the revs
smoothly climb past 3,000 r/min and the engine feels totally relaxed and
unstressed. After a long corner that carves its way through the forest, I brake
for a slow right-hander and pull the left steering-wheel-mounted paddle twice
to select second gear … and floor it.
There is no hesitation from the engine and,
with the road still greasy due to earlier rainfall, the tyres struggle for a
brief moment as they deploy 900 Nm to the tarmac. From then on, however, the
two-tonne super saloon pushes my passenger and I into the cream-coloured seats.
A “3rd Up” signal flashes for a fraction of a second on the information screen
and immediately I pull the right paddle. The acceleration hardly tapers.
As with the standard S-Class, the S63 AMG
has a long list of proprietary technology and safety features, giving new owners
a field time going through the extensive list of possible options and choices.
Although
still bursting with character and intent, the exhaust sound is more subdued
than in other AMGs, suiting the S63’s character perfectly
Stellar achievement
Simply put, there is no other luxury saloon
that blends performance and game-changing technology with such overwhelming
luxury. I, for one, certainly can’t wait to drive it on the “correct” side of
the road when it arrives this month as part of the S-Class range’s local
launch.
