I don't agree. AMG cars are a speciality product of Mercedes-Benz, not the flagship cars. Depending on the model class they might be (C, E, CLK, CLS, ML) but not on the S, SL, and CL which have 600 cars. I would say 65 AMGs are the flagship of the AMG range, and the 600 is the flagship of the regular Mercedes lineup.

Anyway it doesn't matter, both are excellent and expensive cars. At this point we're just arguing about which car is the flagship in our eyes--not something that is very important.

...........I forgot. I thought Mercedes and AMG are one company. SRT8 and Dodge/Chrysler, M and BMW, etc. The Grand Cherokee STR8 is not the flagship in the Cherokke line up. Yep, I forgot. But you are right this is not really important. The main point is that apparently the S600 no longer can come with an AMG kit like ut used to. I think it is because Mercedes wants to mentain sales of the otherwise S63. What do you think is the reason?

Ted

I think the reason is simple. It's what I said earlier that I learned from the MBUSA execs that visited my school. He said that they try to do something new every year: that could mean introducing a new model (S63 in 2008, maybe as well as an S450) and maybe in 2009 they will introduce an AMG Sport Package for the S600 since by this time it will be nearing a facelift. If it follows the previous S-Class' life cycle it would be facelifted for 2010 and then a brand new S-Class would come out in 2013.

Mark Ramsey, the new MBUSA AMG product manager (replacing Rob Allan), responded as follows to the question, posed last night in the AMG Private Lounge:

The S600 was developed and equipped with a target towards comfort, luxury and performance. The V12 is a fully equipped with no options available.

We had overlooked the marketing gimmick of "fully equipped with no options," which MBUSA would have to abandon to add a Sport kit to the configuration. Of course, you can upgrade the wheels so this anwer isn't completely satisfying.

Yes we all have forgotten about the no-option status of the S600, a whole new marketing twist for Mercedes. What I don't get though is why the much more expensive S65 AMG still has options.

M

But no Sport option for the S65 .

Seriously, it's probably because the SLR and Maybach experiences taught them that price is a factor, even for these cars. Add all the options (except 4-place seating, which you can argue makes as much sense in an S600, but is really a special case) and the S65 is over $192K. That's quite a hike from the W220 S65 and I think they feared the market not supporting it. Making some rear-seat goodies (I'm sure some S600s are chauffeured, but a chauffered S65 is a crime against nature) and Distronic (not high on the list for a lot of aggressive drivers) optional is as good a way to keep the MSRP down as any.

As an S-Class buyer for many years I have to agree with you. I enjoy the power as much as the next guy, but whether the car is an 11 or 12 second vehicle really isn't going to matter much, except for seldom used bragging rights. My "racing" these days is limited to long entrance ramps so anything S550ish and over is plenty fast for this 50 year old.

Let me however explain, why I have ordered a CL63, rather than the CL550 or the Cl600:

I wanted the "sport package", unavailable on the CL600, optional for $5600 on the CL550 or included on the CL63.

I wanted the Exclusive leather with Alcantara trim, standard on the CL600, unavailable on the CL550, but standard on the CL63.

I heard the "63" engine a few months ago, and it reminded me of my 66 Pontiac GTO. The "600" is certainly quicker, torqier, but quieter. I thought it might be fun to have a little exhaust burble coming out of those 4 exhaust tips. Plus, I liked the look of those paddle shifters, especially since the console gear selector is now gone.

My other reasons for ordering the CL63 vs. the S63 are less important in this thread, but I thought I would share the fact that there are indeed "63" buyers out there, waiting for delivery.

I gotta agree with you on the 6.3 litre motor, what a monster...

I was deciding between the E63 AMG and the S550 and ultimately chose the S550 for the room and practicality it offered for me and my family. But that engine under the bonnet in the E63 was something else and I really enjoyed the test drives and using the paddles running up and down through the ratios (but that gearbox is very ill suited for the paddles with response like molasses, my brother's brand new Audi S6 has the paddles and the gear changes are near instantaneous with throttle blips, hopefully the S63 will have a better suited box for the paddles)...and I would've chosen the S63 for the best of both worlds if it were available. I'm still a big fan of normally aspirated motors and the old adage rings true for me: there is no replacement for displacement.

I have deceided on a S600 and Brabus Body kit.... Don't want to wait for the 63 and prefer the V12.

Anyone want a 2006 S65????

Yep, I knew there were some 63 buyers out there. Enjoy, it sounds like an awesome car. Remember the pics when you get it!!

M

I read somewhere recently that AMG is working on a throttle blip feature for either 08' or 09'. Surprised they missed this.

M

I wouldn't be able to do that. Are you not going to miss that extra 100 HP and torque that the 65 has?

Let me throw in this possibility - maybe MB will add the sport option in a year or so. Some manufacturers phase in options over a period of time. It looks like to me that they do it to get repeat sales from the ones who wished they had the options, but they weren't available when they bought the vehicle in the first place. Just an idea, but think it is possible?

I miss the extra power, but a trip to Renntech should fix that.

That's what I said lol. See above.

..........Looks like Mercedes was dead on in deciding not to offer the AMG sport package for the S and CL600 but to offer it for the S and CL63. This buyer would have bought a CL600 but bought a CL63 instead. Everything about a CL63 purchase is visual and auditory. MB knows it and has chosen to keep the Cl and s600 from looking and sounding like the 63. Germancar1, you may wish to chime in.

Ted

Is this correct? The Exclusive leather/alcantara interior was limited to the V12s in the past. It wasn't available on S55 or CL55 models. Has this changed? I know that the interior of my (W220) S65 is quite an upgrade from my previous S55.

Did you actually read everything his said? If he wanted something that sounds like a CL63 he would have never bought a CL600 anyway. The CL600 wouldn't have sounded like a CL63 either, even with the AMG kit. Its the engine that makes the car different, not what they look like.

M

Sorry that we hijacked this thread, but here is the Cashmere/Savanah interior of the CL63.

Sweet!

M