Introduction

Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG -- 2007 Preview: To understand why Mercedes-Benz calls the 2007 S65 AMG the “world’s quickest four-door,” you need to know just two figures: 604 horsepower and 738 lb.-ft. of torque. The sad thing is, most S65 AMG buyers will want it because it’s the most expensive S-Class in the stable, and not because they actually plan to drive the thing.

What It Is

That means the engineering expertise that goes into the motor is lost on most S65 AMG owners. Stuff like a precision-balanced crankshaft with a longer stroke, larger-bore forged pistons, and upgraded oil-spray cooling and bearing lubrication systems. But we’ll bet that if friends and family want to pop the hood, they’ll be impressed that the single AMG engineer who built it, from start to finish, also hand signed it.

When You Can Buy It

Expect to pay a pretty penny when the 2007 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG goes on sale later this year, but when it comes to high-end Benzes, price is a moot point.

What's Under the Hood

With its hand-built, twin turbo-charged, 6.0-liter V12 engine firing under its sculpted hood, the S65 AMG rockets from rest to 60 mph just half a click slower than a Corvette Z06, at 4.2 seconds. That’s what 604 horsepower peaking at about 5,000 rpm and 738 lb.-ft. of torque spread between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm will do for a car, even a heavy one like the redesigned 2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

Other upgrades that turn a regular S600 into a 2007 Mercedes S65 AMG include high-performance two-piece brake rotors squeezed by stout eight-piston calipers. Mercedes claims that this compound rotor design saves weight by 20 percent over conventional systems. Helping to haul the Benz down from speed, those front discs are internally-ventilated, perforated, and measure 15.4 inches in diameter. In back, the S65 AMG is equipped with 14.4-inch discs clamped by four-piston calipers. ABS and brake assist are standard.

The suspension gets a massage, too. The standard S600’s Active Body Control (ABC) suspension uses AMG-specific spring struts with firmer damping for sportier ride quality and improved handling. ABC reduces dive, roll, and squat through the use of hydraulics, electronics, and mechanical parts, normally reducing roll by 68 percent. A switch on the console directs ABC to scrub lean by as much as 95 percent if the driver wishes. Mercedes also revised the traction and stability control systems so that they behave commensurate with the S65 AMG’s performance potential.