S65 AMG here now!

MERCEDEZ-BENZ has pulled a swifty by releasing a 6.0-litre twin-turbo V12-powered AMG flagship for its new S-class sedan range - just weeks ahead of an all-new 6.2-litre AMG V8 for the E63, CLK63, CLS63 and ML63.

In Benz dealerships now, the S65 AMG sedan offers 450kW and a scintillating 1000Nm of torque, but comes with a prietag to match. It's positioned $86,100 upstream of the 380kW/830Nm 5.5-litre twin-turbo V12 S600L ($363,900) upon which it's based.

Dubbed as the world's most powerful series-production saloon, the S65 AMG builds on the strengths of the redesigned S-class launched here in February, and brings the number of engine variants available to four.

The new S-class flagship blasts to 100km/h in a rapid 4.4 seconds on its way to an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h.



Offering peak power between 4750 and 5100rpm, its outstanding 1000Nm torque peak is available from just 2000rpm and all the way to 4000rpm. At 1000rpm, 570Nm of torque is delivered, while 1500rpm sees 750Nm available.

Standard features include AMG sports suspension system based on Benz's Active Body Control system, AMG high-performance composite brakes, Distronic Plus radar cruise control and the AMG Speedshift five-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel gearshift paddles.

"The Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG showcases what Mercedes-AMG stands for when it comes to developing extraordinary cars and powerful drive systems," said Horst von Sanden, managing director for the Mercedes Car Group in Australia.

"The S65 AMG is the final word when it comes to performance motoring in a luxury car. The benchmark in this segment was re-set earlier this year with the launch of the all-new Mercedes-Benz S-class, and the S65 AMG raises the bar even higher."

2006 S-class pricing:
S350 (a)	$187,900
S350L (a)	$230,900
S500 (a)	$253,900
S500L (a)	$269,900
S600L (a)	$363,900
S65 AMG (a)	$450,000