2010 Mercedes S63/S65 AMG Facelift in Depth

New details have been released for both the 2010 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG and S65 AMG facelifts.  With a starting price of €115,700 before tax, the S63 AMG short-wheelbase brings a 525 horsepower, 6.3-liter V8 engine producing up to 630 Nm of torque.  A long wheelbase model is available for an additional €6,000.

At €185,900 the S65 AMG is hardly cheap, but the 612 horsepower delivered by the 6.0-liter biturbo V12 may be enough to convince new customers.  The V12 delivers a massive 1000 Nm of torque, guaranteeing a 0-100 km/h time of 4.4 seconds, 0.2 seconds faster than the S63.  Both cars are electronically limited to 250 km/h.  On the S63 the driver controls the AMGSPEEDSHIFT 7G-Tronic transmission, while the S65 utilizes a five-speed automatic.

Impressively, Mercedes did not have to degrade the performance of these two vehicles to improve fuel economy.  Both "consumption and CO2 emissions" were reduced "by up to 3 percent."

From the looks of these two cars, it seems many of the 8,000 current S-Class AMG customers may get a little jealous.  A new arrow-shaped radiator grille - with twin chrome louvres on the S65 - is an effective status symbol on a car that commands respect.  AMG-spec LED daytime lights are mounted just above the air outlets on either side of the front apron.

At an angle, this leads nicely into the new sidesills, which blends with the new side mirros to form a defined line to the car's rear.  At the back, a new rear apron has a body-color diffuser built in, replacing the black diffuser on previous models.  52 LEDs are shaped in a "double 'C'" pattern to make up the taillights.  Redesigned quad exhaust pipes appear in chrome.  "6.3 AMG" and "V12 Biturbo" badging is featured prominently.

The two cars separate at the wheels, where the S63 uses 19-inch multispoke wheels, while the S65 uses a 20-inch set.  Both wheels are painted in Titanium grey, with glossy finishes.  The bigger wheels can be purchased as an option on the S63.

A healthy amount of equipment comes standard, including the Active Body Control AMG sports suspension.  ABC provides stabilizes the car when gusts of wind blast the vehicle from the side.  The system adjusts "the wheel load distribution within milliseconds" and works with the Electronic Stability Program to reduce the effects of crosswinds.  Torque Vectoring Brakes improve cornering by adjusting the caliper pressure on the inner rear wheel.  AMG Adaptive Brakes are also included, using a double floating brake caliper at the front.

Inside, the S-class AMG comes with a healthy amount of leather, and multifunctioning AMG sport seats which will gladly give you a massage should you need one.  Both vehicles feature the AMG analogue clock, and AMG aluminum shift paddles that connect to a Direct Select gearshift.  A piano black lacquer crossed with carbon fiber AMG trim is also available.

You can read more details, including information about the Split-View COMAND system, in the press release below.  The 2010 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG and the 2010 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG go on sale at the end of the month.