Though nearly all the engine's components, such as engine block,
 |
| As with most new AMG powerplants, the S65's V12 is handbuilt by one AMG craftsman from start to finish. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz Canada) |
pistons and cylinders, have gone unchanged, AMG's engineers have fiddled with it slightly to improve its efficiency under heavy loads. The new S65 features a revised intercooler that's 70 percent larger, while a new fuel supply system offers increased flexibility for fuel delivery at various loads. Benz also developed a new kind of catalytic converter, designed to work better at low temperatures, allowing this big, burly powerplant to surpass Europe's EU 4 regulations and qualify for a LEV II (Low Emissions Vehicle II) standing in the U.S.
Nevertheless, even with equipment that's been carried over, the S65 is one of the strongest performing cars on the market - let alone high-performance luxury limos. Merc claims that this barge can charge to 100 km/h in just 4.4 seconds - a figure most sports cars struggle to achieve, while 200 km/h (125 mph) from a standstill is completed in a mere 13.3 seconds. Unsurprisingly, these figures equal the old S65 AMG, even with the new car's weight gains. Top speed remains at an electronically-limited 250 km/h, though the speed governor can be raised to 300 km/h for a surcharge.
To cope with speeds that the 612 horsepower V12 can attain, the S65
 |
| Exterior changes are 'run of the mill' as far as AMG Benzes go. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz Canada) |
also gets upgraded suspension and chassis components. For starters, the S65 rides lower than the standard S-Class and features Benz's Active Body Control (ABC) as standard equipment. ABC allows the S-Class to remove nearly all body roll, keeping the car flat during heavy cornering, an impressive feat for such a large sedan. To give the S65 a sporty feel, AMG tweaked the hydraulic unitized spring and damper system to produce a firmer ride. As for the brakes, not only are they massive at 390 mm and 365 mm front and rear, but they also feature a new floating caliper system, which allows for improved ventilation.
