2016 Mercedes-Benz S63 Reviews

The S63 isn't even the top of the S Class coupe range at $370,500.

The S Class Coupe has had an update, with the S560 and S63 here to terrify other road users with technology and pace. Peter Anderson has driven them both for the first time.

The numbers make you take notice of the Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG coupe. The 900Nm, the 4.2-second sprint time, the $409,000 price... Get your cranium comfortable with those figures and you can appreciate the bottom line. This is about as good as Benz gets. Yes, it is a classically stylish grand tourer, from the swoopy

Paul Gover road tests and reviews the 2015 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Two-door coupes, or their four-door counterparts, are becoming increasingly sought after by the car buying public. Coupes of all classes are popping up in a bid to satisfy the appetite of those looking for a sleek and sporty vehicle.Mercedes-Benz has traditionally been a leader in this field at the luxury end, and with its new S-Class Coupe, continues to serve up attractive packages.Origins of the Mercedes-Benz big coupes lie in the early 1950s when the company came up with the 300 S Coupe spruiked as "a car for the world's elite". A horde of descendants culminated in the SEC coupes, based on the S-Class of 1981, of which around 74,000 were sold.The 1990s saw the arrival of the 12-cylinder S 600 Coupe which introduced Electronic Stability Programme to the automotive world. This coupe later was to become the CL-Class.The new S-Class Coupe – consisting of the S 500, S 63 AMG and S 65 AMG – continues this leading-edge technological development with a dazzling array of innovations.First to land in Australia is the S 63 AMG, recently wheeled out for media attention. The S 500 and S 65 AMG will follow midyear.The car races to 100km/h in a mere 4.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 250km/hMaking use of the most powerful member of the BlueDIRECT engine family, the AMG 5.5-litre V8 biturbo puts out 430kW – 30 kW up on the CL 63 AMG – and 900 Nm.Driving through a seven-speed multi-clutch automatic transmission, the car races to 100km/h in a mere 4.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 250km/h, while using a claimed 10.2L/100km on the combined urban/highway cycle.The sense of power and performance is passed on to the driver and passengers by means of flaps in the exhaust system that open and shut tailoring the note, from laidback to full-on feral, according to the manner in which the vehicle is being driven.Drivers can personalise the car's performance, selecting one of three modes – 'C' for Controlled Efficiency, 'S' for Sport and 'M', Manual.Smaller than the saloon in all dimensions but rear track, the S 63 AMG Coupe incorporates a world-first curve tilting function as part of Magic Body Control. This enables the car to lean into bends like a motorcyclist or skier. Lateral forces on occupants are reduced as in negotiating a steep curve and occupants sit more firmly. It works between 50 and 180km/h.On a launch drive over undulating, twisting terrain south of Sydney, the tilt function was hardly noticeable inside the car, but was quite discernible in an S 63 Coupe being followed through bends.Magic Body Control also incorporates Road Surface Scan and Active Body Control, which combine to act on the suspension to take in tilt and road conditions ahead of the vehicle and provide optimum ride and handling.The S 63 AMG Coupe, can be equipped with a ceramic high-performance composite brake system as an option. Stopping distances of the test vehicle were cut but the brakes tended to grab if the pedal was not treated with restraint. It would be a different matter on the racetrack.As in the S-Class saloon, no end of attention has been paid to passenger safety, with a number of new technological aids such as PRE-SAFE detection, Distronic Plus with Steer Assist and Stop&Go Pilot, Brake Assist, BAS Plus with Cross-Traffic Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Adaptive High-beam Assist Plus and Night View Assist Plus.Also standard is Collision Prevention Assist Plus, which is brought into play when danger of collision persists and the driver doesn't respond. It uses autonomous braking at speeds of up to 100km/h, thereby reducing the severity of collisions with slower or stopping vehicles.At speeds of up to 50km/h the system also brakes in response to stationary vehicles, and is able to prevent rear-end collisions at up to around 40km/h.Unique headlamps with 47 Swarovski crystals are available for $5900The S-Class Coupe features a panoramic roof, 150 per cent larger than on the previous model, which seamlessly joins with the windscreen. Magic Sky Control, an option, can switch the transparency of the roof at the push of a button. When light, the roof is almost completely transparent and allows an open-air experience, even in the coldest weather; when dark, light transmission into the interior, falls to less than one per cent and can reduce heating in the vehicle by up to 10 degrees. The interior can be completely shaded by a roller blind.Also on the test vehicle was a launch-only Edition 1, in combination with the standard LED Intelligent Light System, unique headlamps with 47 Swarovski crystals are available for $5900. Seventeen angular crystals form the flared daytime running lamps, with 30 round-shaped crystals making up the turn indicators.Also included are Night View Assist, special design floor mats, Nappa leather trim, premium quality roof lining, black poplar timber highlights and a range of exclusive colours.Serious wind tunnel testing has resulted in the S-Coupe Class passenger cabin being given insulation that makes it among the quietest around, just the place to enjoy one of the three high-end audio systems on offer.All take advantage of an innovative Mercedes-Benz developed Frontbass system in which the woofers are mounted in the firewall and use the space within the cross-member and side member as a resonance chamber.With no woofers in the doors, annoying vibrations are eliminated. Mid-range speakers in the doors are relocated upwards, improving sound clarity and leaving additional stowage space. Jackie Wilson never sounded so good; Higher and Higher, indeed!The S 63 AMG should prove attractive to owners wishing to downsize from a luxury saloonS-Class Coupe prices start at $319,000 for the S 500, 3.4 per cent less than the previous model; $409,000 for the S 63 AMG, 2.6 per cent less than before; and $499,000, the S 65 AMG, which is 4.7 per cent down.

Having engine stop/start on a car like the Benz CLS 63 AMG doesn't seem to fit.

It's one of the most recognisable cars on the road -- an imposing presence usually found at airports and their environs and in upmarket suburbs around town.The S model name appeared first in 1972 in the W116 series which was the first car with ABS. This breaking technology trend has continued through each subsequent S-Class which has ushered in new technology like cruise control, crumple zones and air bags among a retinue of other now almost ubiquitous features. Now, there's a new S-Class which makes a quantum leap ahead in technology terms.DESIGN / STYLINGS-Class is a four or five seat sedan with stately proportions and is available here in three model variants, the V6 diesel 350Bluetec, the petrol V8 500 and the petrol V8 63AMG with long wheelbase versions available on all but the 63. It has a distinctive look this time around with touches of Maybach ultra-limo about its flanks. It retains a star motif on the bonnet (not the grille) like a gun sight and the roofline is in the curving coupe idiom.The rear end tapers in giving a smaller than expected appearance from behind while the beltline is high punctuated by dynamic style lines.  Complex, high-tech LED headlights give S-Class an earnest-looking front. Up to 95kg has been sliced from the S-Class hybrid alloy/steel body but it still comes in close to two tonnes in the lightest variant. Super low drag aerodynamics rate Cd 0.24 which contributes to the nearly silent interior.ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONAll three engines have a seven-speed auto transmission and all offer superlative performance with relatively low fuel consumption. The 350 has a 3.0-litre turbo diesel with 190kW/620Nm output and an incredible 6.0-litres/100km fuel economy.The 500 is a 4.7-litre biturbo petrol V8 with 335kW/700Nm and 9.2 litres/100km economy while the 63 runs a 5.5-litre biturbo petrol V8 (same as E63) with 430kW/900Nm and 10.2-litres/100km. The 63AMG differs with an AMG Speedshift seven-speed auto designed for high performance.Possibly one of the most interesting features is so called Magic Body Control that scans the road ahead with a camera and adjusts the suspension according to the road conditions -- in advance.SAFETYSafety equipment is vast and there's even a pedestrians warning through the night vision system that automatically flashes the headlights.ON THE ROADGet in and it's a whole new world with possibly the world's biggest in-car wide-screen, virtual instruments with night vision as standard and a new two spoke, multi-function wheel. There's an integrated dash with door trims forming one unbroken sweep from side to side, and a number of  different fascia media are used.The high quality interior is lounge-like, classy and ultra luxurious, especially in the rear seats. It's a cavern of high end components like Burmester audio, sumptuous leather upholstery, telematic control, on board WiFi hotspot for the internet, seven ambient lighting choices, luxury head restraints.Ouside there's a hands free boot opening/closing, panoramic glass sunroof, adaptive high beam, 360 degree camera view from four cameras, active park assist and a swag of safety and driver assist features. There's even climate control seats for added comfort. We were chauffeured in the back seats and also drove the new S-Class and as expected, you don't want to get out.From the rear seat it's sheer luxury with large reclining seats, individual screens, air conditioning and other entertainments. We drove the 350 diesel and can't see why you'd want anything else. It has excellent performance across the range and is smooth and silent. It's big though with a wide expanse of bonnet in front of you and you know it's a big, heavyweight that can still deliver a somewhat sporty feel.VERDICTS-Class is the recipient of all new Benz technology, cutting edge stuff that's designed to optimise safety, performance, luxury and economy. Costs plenty though starting at $215 grand for the short wheelbase 350 Bluetec.The complete Mercedes-Benz S-Class range is:S350 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four-door sedan: from $215,000 (automatic)S350L 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four-door sedan: from $222,500 (automatic)S500 4.7-litre twin-turbo petrol four-door sedan: from $285,000 (automatic)S500L 4.7-litre twin-turbo petrol four-door sedan: from $310,000 (automatic)S63 AMG 5.5-litre bi-turbo petrol four-door sedan: from $385,000 (automatic)Mercedes-Benz S-ClassPrice: from $215,000 (S350)Engines: 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel  (190kW/620Nm), 4.7-litre V8 twin turbo petrol (335kW/700Nm)Transmission: Seven-speed automaticEconomy: 6.0L/100km (diesel), 9.2L/100km (petrol)Emissions: 159g/km (diesel), 215g/km (petrol)Safety: Nine airbags (two rear seatbelt airbags optional), radar crash avoidance, lane-keeping, blind zone alert, self parking, up to eight cameras, 12 parking sensorsWarranty: Three years/unlimitedServicing: 12 months/25,000kmSpare tyre: No. Runflats

The new Mercedes S-Class has some very big shoes to fill because the old one was just so good. It's also got to beat it's traditional rivals like the Audi A8 and Range Rover.

Ever wondered how a mega-dollar Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG would fare against a purpose-built drift car in a drift battle?

Look at a new Mercedes-Benz S-Class today and you're getting a glimpse into the cars everybody may be driving in five to ten years time.