That which fundamentally sets this $213,700
S63 AMG apart from its S500 sibling to the tune of some 129bhp and the odd
$51,290 is, of course, its familiar yet fabulous 5461cc 32v twin-turbo V8,
which develops 577bhp at 5,500rpm and a colossal 663lb ft of torque from 2,250
to 3,750rpm.
Predictably, the unit delivers all the
shove you could ever wish for, and will hurl two tonnes of car at the horizon
with relentlessly intoxicating alacrity. Desperate Dan portions of torque are
this unit’s most engaging hallmark. The 0-62mph dash is dispatched in just 4.2
seconds, but what really impresses happens thereafter; right-foot pressure
insufficient to bruise a peach easing the big coupe over the ton with
hilariously insouciant rapidity, and on into a loping stride of
continent-munching nonchalance.
Nav
includes terrain modelling and photorealistic buildings, all on an enormous TFT
screen
And all the while, of course, the noises
are absolutely glorious, particularly with sport mode exhaust baffles agape to
elicit the oooofff of the winded pugilist on downchanges. Thanks to a
devastatingly well insulated interior allied to the exceptional aerodynamic
shackling of wind noise, proceedings are notably more muted on board.
Sadly, the updated version of AMG’s
seven-speed auto proves occasionally (and inconsistently) prone to marring the
enjoyment of this magnificent V8. Low-gear, low-speed changes can be
uncomfortably snatchy and abrupt and, at all speeds, the gearbox is
consistently and surprisingly slow to respond to stouter throttle demands for
kickdown. Sport mode somewhat ameliorates the latter condition, while
commensurately aggravating the former.
Magic Body Control is a wonderful
contrivance, more than earning its moniker a good 95% of the time. Its camera
reading the road ahead to prepare the suspension for whatever is about to tax
it, the system washes away all but the most overtly aggressive of road
undulations with grader-blade efficiency; you can even charge down sleeping
policemen of a more vegetarian bent at unabated speed and simply not feel a
thing.
Broad
front seats are firmly cushioned and offer excellent lateral support
For all that, this is the second Mercedes
I’ve driven in as many months that just doesn’t feel quite as planted at high
speed as I would expect. A big Benz in the cruise should be as implacable and
firmly rooted as a mass NUM sit-in. Yet there’s a floating sensation here
which, today combined with blustery crosswinds, leaves the car gently yet
constantly squirming as if it were trying to covertly polish individual
fingerprints off a mirror.
The optional new ‘curve tilting’ function
which leans the car into bends in the manner of a motorcycle is, um...
interesting. Maximum tilt angle is only six degrees, but, because one is used
to the bodyshell rolling at least that much the other way on conventional
struts, the perception from on board is of a far more pronounced lean.
Odd sensation at first, but it works,
making twisting sequences of bends far more bearable for the barf-prone
passenger. Up to a point. Because, since the system is designed with occupant
comfort rather than outright agility in mind, it actually reduces the maximum
amount of tilt as speeds rise.
Power
for the S63 AMG comes from a twin-turbocharged 5.5-litre V8 engine
Perfect, then, for stooging at a slightly
less-than-intrepid pace over the Alps with your popsy, but destined for instant
disconnection should you wish to take full advantage of levels of agility,
sure-footedness and body control which largely belie the size.
It’s a pity the steering doesn’t have more
to say for itself, but it’s accurate enough, and never seriously detracts from
the easy, languid pleasure of covering vast a-road distances in a large car at
prodigious speeds.
The S-class Coupe might be more cramped than
you expect for such a big machine, but it’s nonetheless a supremely enjoyable
place from which to cross continents.
