Mercedes-Benz will flex its considerable muscle at the upcoming North American International Auto Show in Detroit when it unveils a rapid new S65 AMG. Due to reach North American showrooms in July, the luxury performance sedan carries over the hand-built twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V12 engine and five-speed automatic transmission from the previous S65 AMG, all wrapped up in the body of the all-new S-Class
Mercedes says the reworked Maybach mill, with 612 hp at 4750 rpm and an enormous 738 lb-ft of torque beginning at 2000 rpm, should be slightly faster than an S600 and should match the older S65's 0-to-62-mph time of 4.4 seconds, despite a small increase in weight. Top speed is limited to 155 mph, though buyers of all high-end AMG models these days can pay extra to have the electronic limiter recalibrated to 186 mph.
The S65 AMG is distinguished from lesser S-Class models by a heavily styled front bumper with a gaping central air duct, chunkier sills, a deeper rear bumper with a quartet of chrome oval tailpipes, and five-spoke 19-inch wheels. Inside, there's unique instrument graphics, new gear shift paddles behind the steering wheel, sport seats, and a Racetimer device that allows the driver to record lap times or acceleration splits via a menu in the instrument binnacle.