ROAD TEST:
Mercedes-Benz S 63 AMG Coupé
Johannesburg - The Mercedes S-Class sedan is arguably the world’s best car for its mix of luxury, space and technology, but its stiff upper lip image is aimed squarely at chauffeur-driven moguls, with styling that generates little emotional appeal.
The new S-Class Coupé version (known previously as the CL) hikes-up the aspirational factor by trading legroom for a two-door shape that makes a much more powerful visual statement.
It’s difficult to design good-looking large cars but Merc’s stylists have hewn a strikingly beautiful thing, in this reviewer’s eyes at least. This 5-metre long grand tourer has big-car presence without looking bloated, and with its exotic curves (and the very cool matte-white paint job of our test car), the S-Class Coupé would effortlessly slide into millionaire’s playgrounds like Monaco and form a natural part of the scenery – even without the optional LED headlights that are encrusted with Swarovski crystals.
FORM OVER FUNCTION
This isn’t a family Benz but more of a selfish treat, a motorised extravagance for tycoons who place style on a pedestal.
Form overrides function in the S-Class Coupé as the two back seats are relatively cramped and access to them is hindered by the absence of rear doors. The extra-large doors also call for parking spaces with extra-large width, although they do have the handy function of staying exactly in the position you’ve opened them, instead of jumping into pre-set slots which risks getting them bashed.
But what the Coupé lacks in passenger-lugging practicality it makes up for in interior opulence, which takes clear aim at Rolls Royce and Bentley with its luxury finishes. The pamper factor is hiked-up with features like massaging seats (there are several programmes including a hot-stone massage), and a high-end Burmester audio system.
CUTTING-EDGE TECH
Under the skin it’s pure S-Class in terms of technology. Like its four-door cousin the Coupé is gizmoed-up with features that were until recently in the science fiction realms. It’s the first car in the world to feature a Curve Tilting function, allowing for the car’s body to lean into a bend much like a motorcyclist or skier would.
Rather than improving cornering speed it’s intended as a comfort enhancer, by countering the effect of centrifugal force on the occupants.
This curve tilting forms part of the Active Body Control suspension which delivers a silky ride while virtually eliminating body roll when cornering, accelerating or braking. Making the ride even silkier is a bump-flattening system called Magic Body Control, that uses sensors to read the road ahead and pre-soften the air suspension when driving over bumps. For some reason it doesn’t work every time, but when it does, its ability to waft over speed humps is remarkable.
ALMOST DRIVES ITSELF
The new Coupé has inherited the S-Class sedan’s high-tech collision-avoiding features that detect pedestrians and other cars and automatically applies the brakes when necessary. It’s a car that comes close to being able to drive itself, and is able to maintain a safe following distance in traffic while making steering corrections to stay in its lane.
The Night View Assist Plus feature also “sees” much further in the dark than your naked eye is able to, especially pedestrians and animals which it picks up with a thermal imaging camera.
It’s a terrific safety feature but I wish it could be mounted higher up – perhaps on the windscreen as part of the head-up display – as the Night View screen falls beneath your natural line of vision.
The litter of gizmos is fairly well organised into a central digital display on the dash, and there’s a touchpad in front of the armrest which allows for handwritten infotainment commands. Still, it takes time to master it all.
VELVETY V8
The S-Class Coupé’s available in S500 and S65 AMG derivatives, and the car on test here: the S63 AMG selling for R2 511 104.
It’s one of the world’s quietest production cars, and you experience silent reverie behind the S 63 AMG Coupé’s double-glazed glass no matter how hard it’s driven. The velvety-voiced V8 engine simply assumes a more hoarse note when revved hard – nothing loud or lewd, just a smooth Barry White kind of undertone to make you aware that this car wears an AMG badge.
The source of these sweet vibes is a twin-turbocharged 5.5-litre petrol V8, thrusting 430kW and 900Nm to the rear wheels through a seven-speed AMG Speedshift MCT auto transmission.
What you have here is essentially unrestricted ability to out-sprint and overtake whatever takes your fancy – up to a governed 250km/h top speed (or 300km/h if you choose the optional AMG Driver’s Package).
In our high-altitude performance test in Pretoria, the big two-ton car whisked from rest to 100km/h in just 4.3 seconds.
Feeding the beast is an expensive business, however, and our test car’s fuel consumption averaged 16.4 litres per 100km (compared to the factory-claimed 10.1 litres).
Stopping power in the S 63 AMG Coupé is supplied very effectively by a high-performance composite brake system, while ceramic brakes are available as an option.
VERDICT
The hot-looking cousin of (arguably) the world’s best car, the S-Class Coupé features high up on a lotto-winning wishlist.
This 63 AMG version is a mink-clad missile that adds an addictive shot of brawn to a recipe of luxury, cool technology and alluring styling.
FACTS
Mercedes-Benz S 63 AMG Coupé
Engine: 5.5-litre, V8 turbopetrol
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 430kW @ 5500rpm
Torque: 900Nm @ 2250-3750rpm
0-100km/h (tested in Gauteng): 4.3 seconds
Top speed (claimed): 250km/h (300km/h opt)
Consumption (claimed): 10.1 litres per 100km
Consumption (tested): 16.4 litres per 100km
Price: R2 511 104
Warranty: Two-year/unlimited km
Maintenance plan: Six-year/100 000km