2010 Mercedes S63/S65 AMG Facelift in Depth

Press Release

Engine and drive system: V8 naturally aspirated engine and biturbo V12 engine: high tech from the world of motorsport for unrivalled performance

Powerful eight and twelve-cylinder engines are a traditional strength of AMG – and no less so than with the S 63 AMG and the S 65 AMG, the S-Class top-of-the-line models. The S 63 AMG is powered by a high-revving V8 naturally aspirated engine developing 386 kW/525 hp, the S 65 AMG comes with a biturbo V12 engine that delivers 450 kW/612 hp. Despite no changes having been made to the engine and performance values, it has still been possible to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of the two high-performance saloons.

Developing a peak output of 386 kW/525 hp at 6800 rpm and maximum torque of 630 newton metres at 5200 rpm, the S 63 AMGranks among the most powerful series-production saloons with an eight-cylinder engine. These impressive figures translate into a high level of driving pleasure and exceptional performance. The S 63 AMG accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds before going on to a top speed of 250 km/h (electronically limited). The V8 naturally aspirated engine with its displacement of 6208 cubic centimetres offers an exhilarating mix of high power from low engine speeds, instantaneous responsiveness and pronounced high-revving flexibility – up to a maximum engine speed of 7200 rpm.

Precise fine-tuning of the engine and transmission setup, aerodynamics and
rolling resistance has reduced fuel consumption by 0.5 litres/100 km – without compromising driving dynamics. NEDC combined fuel consumption for the new S 63 AMG is now 14.4 litres/100 km (long wheelbase: 14.5 l/100 km), equivalent to CO2 emissions of 344 g/km (long wheelbase: 347 g/km).

AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine: technology transfer from the world of motorsport

The technical basis for the dynamic DNAcomes courtesy of the thoroughbred
motorsport technology of the AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine. This includes the lightweight, extra-rigid aluminium bedplate crankcase with closed-deck technology and the twin-wire-arc-sprayed coating on the cylinder walls used exclusively by AMG. The streamlined design of the intake and exhaust ducts together with the magnesium variable intake manifold featuring two parallel-action internal throttle flaps results in superlative cylinder charging and high power output.

The 32 valves in the cylinder heads are operated by bucket tappets for a rigid valve train and high engine speeds. Continuous adjustment of the camshafts on the intake and exhaust sides ensures an optimal supply of fuel/air mixture to the eight combustion chambers.

Key data at a glance:

Figures in brackets refer to long-wheelbase version; * electronically limited.

Electronically controlled fuel supply for outstanding agility

Outstanding agility and instantaneous responsiveness are the undoubted strengths of the AMG6.3-litre V8 engine, thanks in no small part to the electronically controlled fuel supply. It operates with an on-demand system pressure of 3.8 to 5.0 bar. According to power requirements and external temperature, fuel pressure is adjusted and regulated almost instantly. The engine management system translates the command from the accelerator within milliseconds into the corresponding fuel pressure setting. Such control ensures rapid vehicle response and a sporty thrust across all load ranges and at all engine speeds.

In the interests of optimal reliability, the S 63 AMGhas a particularly efficient water cooling system and large engine and transmission oil coolers. Located behind the apertures in the AMGfront apron, these coolers ensure non-critical operating temperatures at all times – even under the extreme stress of the racetrack. The AMG sports exhaust system with two oval twin chromed tailpipes delivers the telltale eight-cylinder vocals.

S 65 AMG: exclusive effortless superiority

A twelve-cylinder engine has always been the pinnacle of the engine builders' craft. The V12 powerpack on the S 65 AMGis 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 AMGV12 delivers maximum power of 450 kW/612 hp between 4800 and 5100 rpm and maximum torque of 1000 newton metres. The torque has been reduced from 1200 to 1000 newton metres 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 570 newton metres of torque to the crankshaft, while 750 newton metres are on tap at 1500 rpm. The performance figures are impressive testimony to the phenomenal power harnessed by the AMG twelve-cylinder unit: the S 65 AMG accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.4 seconds; the top speed is 250 km/h (electronically limited).

Key data at a glance:

* electronically limited.

The S 65 AMG leaves you in no doubt about the effortless superiority of the 12 cylinder engine, kilometre after kilometre: the powerful, effortless acceleration in the highest engine speed range is another strength of the AMG12-cylinder unit along with its relaxed cruising at low engine speeds. Just as impressive as the phenomenal flexibility is the smooth and refined running characteristics which guarantee the high level of touring comfort traditionally associated with Mercedes.

Like its stablemate the S 63 AMG, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions on the new S 65 AMGhave been reduced thanks to optimisation of the engine and transmission setup as well as improvements to the aerodynamics and rolling resistance – all despite no changes having been made to the engine data and performance values. The NEDC consumption of the S 65 AMGis now 14.5 litres per 100 kilometres
(CO2: 346 g/km), an equivalent reduction of 0.3 l/100 km.

Know-how from the world of motorsport also with the AMG biturbo V12 engine

The AMG6.0-litre biturbo V12 engine also leverages the vast know-how amassed
by Mercedes-AMGfrom the world of motorsport. 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 optimised 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.

Air/water intercooler for optimum engine efficiency

A typical feature of the AMGbiturbo V12 engine is the sophisticated air/water intercooler. A large cooler at the front of the vehicle effectively cools down the intake air – which has been compressed by the turbochargers – before it enters the combustion chambers. The water-cooled low-temperature cooler results in a 25 percent reduction in intake temperature at full throttle and guarantees high power and torque output under all operating conditions and regardless of the outside temperature. The housings of the compressor and turbine in both turbochargers as well as the turbine and compressor wheels have been enlarged, resulting in a maximum charge pressure of 1.5 bar.

The electronically controlled AMG-specific fuel supply operates with a variable system pressure of between 3.6 and 5.0 bar. According to power requirements and external temperature, fuel pressure is variably controlled almost instantly. The engine management system translates the command from the accelerator within milliseconds, delivering an extremely fast response from the engine in all load situations. The sports exhaust system with two sets of twin chromed tailpipes in the V12 design provides the telltale AMG twelve-cylinder vocals on the new S 65 AMG.

Engine production at Mercedes-AMG: tradition of hand-built excellence

Traditionally all engines are built by hand at Mercedes-AMG in Affalterbach – just like the AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine in the S 63 AMG and the AMG 6.0-litre biturbo V12 engine in the S 65 AMG. In the state-of-the-art AMG engine workshops, which were opened in 2002, a highly qualified engineer assembles each engine according to the company's philosophy of "one man, one engine" in compliance with the most stringent quality standards. The engineer's signature on the AMGengine plate is testimony to the highest standards of workmanship. It takes around three hours to produce the V8 engine; the V12 unit normally takes somewhere in the region of six-and-a-half hours.

Transmission and power transfer: tailor-made solutions

To match the wide engine speed range of the AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine, the S 63 AMG teams up with the AMG SPEEDSHIFT 7G-TRONIC, while the high-torque S 65 AMG is paired with the AMGSPEEDSHIFT 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 AMGshift paddles on the steering wheel, rather like in a Formula 1 car.

Three different drive modes are available in the two AMGsaloons: these shift modes - "C" (Comfort), "S" (Sport) and "M" (Manual) are selected using a switch in the centre console and differ in terms of their gearshift characteristics and speed. In the manual "M" mode the transmission reliably 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 drivers with a particularly sporty streak to make even better use of the high power at their disposal. The AMG instrument cluster displays the currently engaged gear and recommended upshifts in "M" mode.

In line with the exceptional 1000 Nm torque, the S 65 AMG comes with a systematically reinforced drivetrain. In the automatic transmission this includes purpose-built clutch plates with a high-quality metallic coating and the modified shift and torque converter logic. Redesigned drive shafts, larger hub carriers as well as strengthened steel spring links supplement these measures.