Mercedes-AMG S65 Final Edition: Leaving V12 With Honor
Mercedes-Benz and AMG are saying goodbye to their legendary V12 engine in the most fitting way: with a Final Edition S65.
The apex 'Benz, in black and bronze
There aren’t many V12s left in production. And to celebrate the sterling service of its 6-liter twelve-cylinder engine, Mercedes-Benz has announced a Final Edition S-Class. Only 130 of these final V12-powered S65s will be assembled and each of them will have exactly the same color scheme: black with bronze rims, bumper details, and rocker panels.
Images courtesy of AMG GmbH
Twelve pots, four pipes
That rear end might have the sloping trunk styling of a true boulevard cruising limousine, but the S65 has always been a terrifically dynamic luxury car. Truly an alternative to short-haul business jet travel, the aerodynamics and the sophisticated air-suspension system, which reads the road, anticipating surface changes and imperfections, define the limousine class.
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Steel is not the right deal, for these brakes
To balance the rampant performance of the 630hp V12, the S65 Final Edition has huge brakes. Behind those 20-inch forged wheels are composite ceramic rotors. Sized at 16.5-inches at the front wheels, and 14-inches at the rear wheels, these AMG high-performance composite brakes are 40% lighter than conventional steel rotors. They also manage thermal heat build-up better. And considering the S65’s weight and speeds it can attain, that is a very good thing.
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Like business class, but with bigger windows and a view into the cockpit
No proper limousine has a bench rear seat. The Final Edition remains true to this philosophy, with individual rear seats, which feature the kind of adjustability and comfort that most airline passengers and can only dream of. The S65 Final Edition’s sumptuously upholstered, and handstitched, leather seats can recline up to 43.5-degrees. For added comfort, there are pillows too and even a deployable calf supports.
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Carbon cover for a future classic
Smooth, with a sound like no other, the S65’s V12 also delivers crushing performance. It rockets the near 5000lb limousine from 0-60mph in a touch over four seconds, before effortlessly powering on to a top speed of 186mph. How does it do that? With turbocharging and 630hp. Also helps to have 738 lb-ft of torque cranking out to rear wheels!
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A heritage and profile unlike any other
Mercedes-Benz’s history of S-Class V12s goes back decades, but it was when AMG got involved that things got really interesting. These Affalterbach-built S-Class S65s are authentic limousine dragsters with incredible performance, yet they never sacrifice the serene ride quality and luxury cabin environment which is synonymous with Mercedes-Benz’s ultimate car line.
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Big but ballistic
Most other road users would do well to stay within range of the S65’s four tailpipes. It might have a curb weight just shy of 5000lb, but it will effortlessly run a true 0-60mph sprint of 4.2 seconds.
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They are all probably gone
Cost of the privileged in owning one of these last Mercedes-Benz AMG built V12? They are going for $232 550 each, and you are guaranteed on seeing a return on that investment if you hang onto one. These will certainly become collectible in the future, as a testament to AMG’s great V12 engine design - and handbuilt assembly values.
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For service and maintenance information on your car, check the how to section of MBWorld.com.