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The Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG features Exclusive leather as standard: leather appointments cover not only the lower and upper sections of the dashboard, the entire door trim, the seat side and seatback coverings but also the ruffled pockets and the parcel shelf. In addition, Alcantara adorns the roof liner and the A, B and C-pillars. The 12-way electrically adjustable AMG sports seats come with distinctive seat fluting and leather upholstery in the AMG V12 diamond pattern design, which also extends over the rear seats . The S65 AMG comes as standard with front active multicontour seats with massage and dynamic handling function and NECK-PRO head restraints and rear multicontour seats with massage function. All seats feature active ventilation and heating as well as the PRE-SAFE positioning function.

AMG Sports Steering Wheel

The AMG sedan comes with an AMG sports steering wheel with silver-colored aluminum shift paddles, specially shaped grip area and perforated nappa leather around the steering wheel spokes. The multifunction buttons on the left and right enable the driver to select numerous settings and call up information, say in the AMG main menu: the activated transmission mode is displayed in the middle of the instrument cluster - the currently engaged gear and recommended upshifts are also shown in "M" mode.

The AMG main menu also provides the driver with information about engine oil temperature or the battery voltage, and the RACETIMER, which enables the driver to calculate lap times - on a private racing circuit, for instance. The RACETIMER records the time for the fastest lap, the average and maximum speeds and the lap distance. The AMG instrument cluster on the S65 AMG comes with a 225 mph speedometer scale. One of the most eye-catching features in the interior of the S65 AMG is the exclusive analogue clock with its "IWC Ingenieur" design in the centre console.

Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG: Exclusive Effortless Superiority

A twelve-cylinder engine has always been the pinnacle of the engine builders' craft. The V12 powerpack on the Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG is regarded by engine experts as a prime example of this rare art: thanks to its displacement of 5980 cc, twin turbochargers and powerful air/water intercooler, the AMG V12 delivers maximum power of 604 hp between 4800 and 5100 rpm and maximum torque of 738 lb-ft. The torque has been reduced from 885 to 738 lb-ft out of consideration for the drivetrain and is available between 2000 and 4000 rpm. At a mere 1000 rpm, the AMG 6.0-litre biturbo V12 engine delivers 420 lb-ft of torque to the crankshaft, while 553 lb-ft are on tap at 1500 rpm. The performance figures are impressive testimony to the phenomenal power harnessed by the AMG twelve-cylinder unit: the S65 AMG accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds; the top speed is 186 mph (electronically limited).

The AMG 6.0-litre biturbo V12 engine also leverages the vast know-how amassed by Mercedes-AMG from the world of motorsports. The V12 engine has a precision-balanced crankshaft made out of high-strength materials, forged pistons made out of special material which is extremely resistant to temperature and pressure, a more effective oil-spray cooling system with a separate individual nozzle for each piston plus larger piston pins. The main and big-end bearings are also made out of improved materials to compensate for temperature and pressure peaks more effectively.

The charge cycle in the cylinder heads benefits from optimized combustion chambers and longer opening times of the intake camshafts. A modified oil pump ensures that all lubrication points are supplied with oil - even in highly demanding conditions. An engine oil cooler is integrated into the AMG front apron, with an additional engine coolant radiator located in the wheel arch.

Transmission and Power Transfer

The high-torque Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG is paired with the AMG SPEEDSHIFT 5-speed automatic transmission. The driver can nudge the DIRECT SELECT shift lever on the steering column to select the transmission settings "P", "N", "R" and "D". In typical AMG style, individual gears can be shifted using the AMG shift paddles on the steering wheel, rather like in a Formula 1 car.
Three different drive modes are available in the AMG saloon: these shift modes - "C" (Comfort), "S" (Sport) and "M" (Manual) are selected using a switch in the center console and differ in terms of their gearshift characteristics and speed. In the manual "M" mode the transmission remains in the selected gear, enabling the driver to ideally harness the immense pulling power. Automatic downshift under full throttle or during kickdown is similarly prevented as is an upshift when reaching the engine speed limit. This allows performance-minded drivers to make even better use of the immense power at their disposal. The AMG instrument cluster displays the currently engaged gear and recommended upshifts in "M" mode.

Active Body Control Function

The AMG sports suspension now comes as standard with automatic crosswind stabilization based on Active Body Control (ABC). The ABC control electronics vary the wheel load distribution so that the effect of crosswinds is virtually compensated or reduced to a minimum. If the S-Class is affected by a crosswind, the ABC control unit utilizes the yaw rate, lateral acceleration, steering angle and speed sensors of the Electronic Stability Program ESP to trigger diagonal wheel load distribution instantly - for instance on the left front and right rear wheel. The associated steering effect reduces the effect of the crosswind. Crosswind stabilization is activated at speeds above 50 mph while traveling in a straight line or on slight bends. The function is deactivated if the driver himself makes heavy, dramatic steering corrections.

The active suspension on the S65 AMG all but entirely eliminates the body movements that occur when accelerating, cornering and braking. Bends are negotiated with far less roll; the body roll caused by fast evasive maneuvering is effectively suppressed. Other notable features of Active Body Control are the variable roll moment distribution between the front and rear axles, which the system carries out automatically according to the speed.

The load adjustment system enables the current vehicle weight to be factored into the calculation processes for the active suspension. As such the S65 AMG handles just as dynamically even when the car is fully loaded. Briefly pressing the Sport button next to the AMG instrument cluster changes the characteristics of the AMG sports suspension: the roll angle through fast corners is reduced further, the shock absorbers and springs also respond firmer to promote agility.

AMG High-Performance Braking System

Based on the ADAPTIVE BRAKE system, the AMG high-performance braking system continues to set the benchmark for stopping power, sensitivity and fade resistance. The front axle features a double floating brake caliper; this technology combines the advantages of a sliding-caliper disc brake - reduced heat transfer to the brake fluid and clear advantages in terms of comfort thanks to the brake lining guide mechanism - with the efficiency of an extra large fixed caliper brake. At the rear, braking is handled by a large sliding frame-type caliper. Internally ventilated, perforated two-piece brake discs at the front and rear with a diameter of 15.4 and 14.4 inches respectively ensure the shortest stopping distances, remarkable resistance to fading and out-standing sensitivity.

Eye-Catching Light-Alloy Wheels

The S65 AMG comes with 20-inch AMG five-twin-spoke forged wheels, painted in titanium grey with a mirror finish, measuring 8.5 and 9.5 inches wide. 255/35 R20 tires are fitted at the front, while 275/35 R20 tires feature at the rear.

Drowsiness Detection

Thanks to an innovative technology the S-Class can even monitor the attention level of its driver, and provide a warning if drowsiness is detected. The ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection system continuously monitors more than 70 different parameters. Once the system recognizes the steering behavior pattern that typically indicates the onset of drowsiness, a warning signal is sounded and "ATTENTION ASSIST. Time for a rest?" appears in the instrument cluster. ATTENTION ASSIST is fitted as standard equipment.

Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications