Predictability gets a bad rap, but there are several reasons for that: The thought of clocking in for a boring, soul-crushing job every morning at 9 a.m. is a real bummer at 8 p.m. when you’re out with friends, having a few drinks and actually enjoying life. Tax season rolls in when you take that W-2 form out of its envelope, and don’t forget the Sunday-afternoon grocery run. You’re that much closer to pushing those papers you love so much!
However, there are certain things to which we all look forward: that unnecessarily slow walk to the front door after a great first date, the next episode of Top Gear, pay day … and AMG converting a standard Mercedes-Benz into a velvet-wrapped sledgehammer.
There are no surprises under the hood; that’s a good thing, though. The bi-turbo, hand-built 5.5-liter V8 makes a colossal amount of power: 577 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. An S550 Coupe “only” develops 449/516. All of the S63’s grunt is pumped through an AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT seven-speed sport transmission and — something that is relatively new to the tuning division of Mercedes — all-wheel drive. The AMG 4MATIC system permanently splits power 33 percent up front and 67 percent at the rear.
Weight has been reduced by as much as 140 lbs. compared to that of the CL63 thanks to aluminum construction and “the use of a lightweight lithium-ion battery, optional AMG forged light-alloy wheels and a weight-optimized AMG high-performance composite braking system.” Those binders, available as an option, are more than 20 percent lighter. Ultimately, AMG’s newest offering weighs in at an estimated 4,400 lbs.
The S63 AMG’s high output and decreased mass combine for a 0-60 mph time of 3.9 seconds and an electronically governed top speed of 186 mph.
Expectedly, this big Benz coupe is as luxurious as it is monstrously powerful.
Expectedly, this big Benz coupe is as luxurious as it is monstrously powerful. AIRMATIC air suspension with ADS PLUS adaptive damping keeps the S63’s ride composed and passengers comfortable. Nappa leather seats, which are heated and ventilated in the front, hold travelers in place as they use the standard touchpad to control various systems, and glance at an undoubtedly high rate of speed on the high-resolution TFT instrument cluster.
Look for the 2015 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG 4MATIC Coupe at the New York International Auto Show in April. It launches in the U.S. this fall.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
