Mercedes reveals its ballistic S65 AMG Coupe

MERCEDES-AMG has revealed its new V12-powered S-Class-based S65 AMG Coupe, ahead of its expected Australian arrival in the middle of next year.

The S-Class Coupe replaces the CL-Class and the ballistic S65 AMG Coupe will sit at the very top of the line-up, above the 430kW/900Nm V8-powered S63 AMG Coupe.

Under the bonnet of the S65 lurks Mercedes-AMG’s twin-turbo 6.0-litre V12 which packs 463kW of power and a whopping 1000Nm of torque.

With its aluminium crankcase, forged high-grade alloy steel crankshaft, multi-spark ignition and air-to-water intercooler, the V12 sends all that oomph to the back wheels through a seven-speed automatic transmission.

The S65 AMG Coupe will nail 0-100km/h in 4.1 seconds, which is 0.2 second faster than the four-door S65 AMG sedan, but 0.2 second slower than its little brother – the 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 S63 AMG Coupe.

The German luxury car-maker is predicting average fuel consumption of 11.9 litres per 100km on the combined European cycle.

The S65 AMG Coupe features sports suspension based on AMG’s “magic body control” system which works in combination with a camera that scans the road ahead and ‘tells’ the suspension how to adjust itself to improve the ride.

The system has a tilt function, too, which leans the car into a turn, like a motorcycle, for flatter cornering.

Other technological highlights of the S65 AMG Coupe include speed sensitive steering with a variable ratio. In Comfort suspension setting the electro-mechanical steering provides more assistance, while in Sport mode the steering has a heavier feel.

Design wise, the S65 naturally matches the S-Class Coupe's sleek proportions.

From the side the greenhouse is narrow with a heavily raked windscreen and a sloping back window that follows the car’s sleek lines to the rear shoulders.

The S65 AMG Coupe rolls on 16-spoke forged light-alloy 20-inch wheels with 255/40R rubber on the front and oil-barrel-sized 285/35R on the back.

Inside the super luxurious cabin, the S65 AMG Coupe has all the bells and whistles of the regular S-Class, minus the rear leg and head room.

There are two 12.3-inch display screens for the digital instrument cluster and infotainment, head-up display and Nappa leather wrapped sports seats with their own climate control system.

While the four-door features a two-spoke steering wheel, the S65 AMG Coupe is equipped with a new three-spoke tiller and shifting paddles.

Mercedes-Benz Australia says it’s too early to announce local pricing, but it confirmed that the S65 AMG Coupe will arrive in Australia mid-2015.

The outgoing CL65 AMG costs $518,750, plus on-road costs and competes against a select number of prestige marques, including the Rolls-Royce Wraith from $645,000 driveaway, and the Bentley Continental GT Speed from $495,000 plus ORCs.