Mercedes S65 AMG Coupe specs, prices and pictures

Mercedes has revealed the hot new version of its S-Class Coupe, the S65 AMG. Referring to 12-cylindered units as 'the pinnacle of engine design,' AMG has chosen not to follow suit of its competitors and downsize the luxury supercoupe's powerplant, instead sticking with an updated version of its 6-litre twin-turbo V12 which produces 621bhp and and 737lb ft of torque.

As the German carmaker's flagship model, the hottest version of the S-Class can race from 0-62mph in 4.1secs and onto a limited top speed of 155mph, with CO2 emissions sitting at 279g/km and economy equivalent to 23.7mpg.

Built by AMG’s specialist engineers in Affalterbach, the turbocharged engine found under the bonnet features an  aluminium crankshaft, forged alloy steel crankcase and new stop/start technology. Drive is sent through AMG's Speedshift Plus 7G-Tronic gearbox to the rear wheels, and can be configured in three driving modes -  Controlled Efficiency, Sport or Manual - via a button on the centre console. 

These modes also modify the settings for the car's electric variable ratio steering and suspension, the latter being based on Mercedes' Magic Body Control. This system scans the road ahead to adjust ride stiffness for optimised body control, as well as tilting the car into corners to improve handling and ride comfort.

Visually setting the AMG apart from the standard car are beefy 20-inch polished forged wheels, a set of aluminium 'V12 Biturbo' badges and a bodykit. Inside, the S65 AMG also looks luxurious, featuring Nappa leather in a diamond pattern with delineated perforations, wrapped over electrically adjustable and memory function sports seats.

Seat heating and climate control come as standard, whilst contoured seat cushions and backrests provide support for long distance driving. Leather also covers the dash, the roof and the new flat-bottomed steering wheel, which features paddles and a metal insert displaying the AMG logo.

Behind the wheel is a 31.2cm TFT screen display, which takes place of conventional dials to display revs and speed in high resolution. Projected onto the windscreen is a head-up display, showing information including speed limits, route directions and live data for Mercedes' intelligent adaptive cruise control system called Distronic Plus. To control these functions the driver can use the touchpad in the centre console, which also allows adjustment of the radio, phone and satnav.

Order books for the sleek two door coupe are set to open later this year for an expected £180,000 list price, with deliveries likely early next year.