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First Drive Review: 2015 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG 4Matic Coupe by Henny Hemmes +VIDEO


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2015 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG

By Henny Hemmes
Senior European Editor
The Auto Channel

     • SEE ALSO: Mercedes-Benz Buyers Guide


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2015 Mercedes-Benz AMG S 63 Coupe

FLORENCE - July 14, 2014: A few days ago, The Auto Channel took our readers for a short tour in the brand new Mercedes S-Class Coupe Mercedes S-Class Coupe Now, it is time for our first test drive of the S63 AMG Coupe.

As with the S 550, AMG also has 4Matic all-wheel drive, which will be the only variants available until January 2015, when the RWD model is expected to reach the European and North American market. It is no surprise that the 4Matic models will arrive first, as it is the technology of choice of nearly ninety percent of the S-Class customers on both continents.

The availability of AWD for the new Coupe, will help AMG to increase sales, which obviously excites Tobias Moers, the chief of Mercedes-AMG, who said: “We rigorously pursue our all-wheel-drive initiative.”

It speaks for itself that petrol-heads and sporty drivers are interested in the S63 AMG Coupe, and it will be the dream car of many car enthusiasts, young and old. The latest addition to the AMG model range is equipped with the AMG 5.5-liter V8 biturbo, the most powerful member of the BlueDirect engine family.

The S63 AMG benefits from the implementation of the AMG lightweight performance strategy, which in this case, reduced the vehicle weight by 143 pounds compared to it’s the outgoing CL63 AMG. This was possible by using aluminum for the outer skin and the front end of the body, as well as equipping the car with a light weight lithium-ion battery, AMG’s high performance composite braking system and forged light alloy wheels. The heart of the S63 is the 5.5-liter V8 biturbo engine with 430 kW/585 hp and 900 Nm/664 lb-ft of torque. Which is 30 kW/41 hp and 100 Nm/74 lb-ft up from the CL 63 AMG.




You don't need a stopwatch to accelerate to 62 mph; simply step on the throttle and count. And do not forget to look at the odometer, as the needle will have past the 100 km (62 mph) mark as soon as you say ‘four’!

Officially the S63 4Matic takes 3.9 seconds, the RWD model is 0.4 seconds ‘slower’. Or I should say: less fast. The maximum speed of the coupe is electronically limited to 250 km/h/155 mph, but when you pay extra, the limiter will be adjusted to 300 km/h/186 kmh.

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2015 Mercedes-Benz AMG S 63 Coupe

The ‘basic’ S 550 already well prepared for a sporty driving style, but the AMG coupe seems to tease you to let it show its best. The super potent engine reacts instantly to any push of your right foot, the AMC Speedshift MCT 7-speeds sports transmission (indeed a mouthful) matches the shift point perfectly. Given its size, the car offers superior control to conquers bends as if they are straight pieces of motorway and with excellent grip the AMG coupe feels even more responsive and more agile.

I especially like to feel the unlimited power and to hear the ‘blib’ in the exhaust when the transmission shifts. Inside it is very quiet and only because you are driving you are aware of the speed. A passenger may not be aware if he or she is not looking outside, or at the odometer…!

With the AMG transmission, drivers can configure their own personal set-up, depending on driving style: C for controlled efficiency, S(port) and M(anual). Also this engine has a standard start-stop function.

       • SEE ALSO: Mercedes-Benz AMG S 65 Twelve-Cylinder Coupe

The S63 AMG is the ultimate Mercedes driving machine, with its technology nicely packed in a gorgeous design. Its competitors, such as the Aston Martin DB9 and Bentley Contintental GT will have to brace…. But, as usual, being beautiful and fast has its price: in this case around $ 142,000. This is $45,000 more than the S 550 4Matic Coupe, which for many customers, will work as well. AMG GmbH realizes it, but nevertheless expects the new coupe to add to its continuing growth.

Beginning in January 2015 the rear-wheel-drive S63 AMG Coupe will be available, and like the S550 also with the optional curve tilt function as described for the S 550 Coupe.


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Technical details Mercedes-Benz S 63 AMG 4Matic Coupe

Engine V8

Capacity 5463 cc

Power 430 kW/585 hp @ 5,500 rpm

Torque 900 Nm/664 lb-ft @ 2,250-3,750 rpm

Transmission MCT 7-speed automatic

L/w/h 198.6/74.7/55.5 inches

Wheelbase 115.9 inches

Curb weight 4,398 lbs

Tires fr/rr 255/45 R19 (front), 285/40 R 19 (rear)

Acceleration 0-62 mph 3.9 sec

Top speed 155 mph (optionally 186 mph)

Fuel cons. combined (EU Cycle) 10.3 l/100 km (or 22.84 mpg)

CO2-emission 242 g/km

Price (msrp) n/a, estimated $ 142,000