Mercedes' all-new S 63 AMG revealed

According to Mercedes, the all-new S 63 AMG is a Jekyll & Hyde kind of car. They’ve even created a web-special to showcase its split personality – luxury with an über dosage of sport.

It’s up to 100 kg lighter than the previous S 63 AMG and noticeably more powerful too, which makes it indecently quick. How quick? How about 0 to 60mph in less than four seconds (0 to 62 in 4.0 secs exactly), a time set in the all-wheel drive (4MATIC) version. Limited by the traction of just two wheels and that time drops to 4.4 seconds for the 0-62mph sprint.

AMG’s 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine now produces 577bhp (up 40bhp) with a whopping 900 Nm (664 lb-ft) of torque available between 2,250 and 3,750 rpm. Mercedes quote a fuel consumption of 27.9 mpg (4MATIC, 27.4 mpg) combined and CO2 emissions of between 237 g/km and 242 g/km.

The big Merc’s weight loss routine perpetuates the Jekyll & Hyde theme, while it’s packed full of the latest high-tech comforts, Mercedes have fitted it with a spare wheel recess made of carbon fibre. There’s also a set of AMG forged light-alloy wheels, a lightweight lithium-ion battery and a weight-optimised AMG high-performance composite brake system.

In common with the standard S-Class, the entire outer skin, including the roof and the front end of the body, is made of aluminium. This combined with the savings made throughout the S 63 result in a kerb weight of 1,970 kg for the short wheelbase model.

Not sure whether to play sportscar or luxury limo? Try the new AMG sports exhaust system with exhaust flap. At the flick of a switch, the driver can toggle the exhaust flaps in both rear silencers, with the flaps opening earlier and more spontaneously in ‘S’ (Sport) and ‘M’ (Manual) modes.

For the first time Mercedes’ sporty limo is fitted with a ceramic high-performance composite brake system, these arrest the S 63’s momentum free from fade, while being 20 per cent lighter than before. At 420mm in diameter they’re bigger than the wheels on a super-mini and are clamped by 6-piston fixed calipers on the front and a single-piston floating caliper at the rear.

Inside you’ll find newly developed AMG sports seats with electrical adjustment, memory function and seat heating. The atmosphere is luxury meets hot rod, featuring AMG door sill panels, AMG floor mats and AMG sports pedals in brushed stainless steel. There’s an IWC design analogue clock which features three-dimensional, milled metal hands and metal appliqués on the dial.

There’s a true limo rear-cabin with the option of a ‘Business Centre Console’ combining airline personal comfort with practical convenience. The backrest angle of the Executive seat can be reclined between 37 and 43.5 degrees, giving it the largest backrest inclination of any car in the luxury segment. It’s even got thermo-cup holders which use Peltier technology to cool or warm drinks over a longer period of time.

The S 63 AMG will debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, before going on sale in the UK from late 2013. Prices and final specification will be announced nearer the time of sale.