Merc’s most expensive coupe

The car I am talking about is the Mercedes-AMG S 65 Coupe, and it is the most expensive Mercedes-Benz you can buy today. Let me give just a taste of what you can expect if you have the means to afford it. First up is Magic Body Control, which is said to be the first “suspension with eyes”. This means the S 65 leans into bends in a manner similar to a motorcyclist or skier.

This not only improves handling but also reduces the lateral acceleration acting upon your passengers, and passengers in a car like this don’t want to feel like they are being thrown around when you make use of the substantial urge on tap. Talking of urge, under the bonnet you have a powerful AMG 6.0 litre V12 biturbo engine that produces 463kW of power and a full 1 000Nm of torque. And this makes short work of moving the almost 2.2-ton vehicle around at a pace that will make many sit up and pay attention.

The Mercedes-AMG S 65 coupe. Picture: Supplied

You can see all the road test data on the page. But getting to 100km/h in less than five seconds while only stopping because the electronic limiter kicks in at over 300km/h is quick in anybody’s books. You do get an eco-friendly start-stop function, but I doubt that is why you would have bought this car. But that said, I still averaged what I consider decent for what you have on offer here: 15 litres/100km.

And if going fast is your passion, you will be happy to know that, like the S-Class Saloon, the Coupe is available with numerous new assistance systems that make driving even more comfortable and safer.

The “Intelligent Drive” systems include, among other things, the Pre-safe brake with pedestrian detection, Distronic Plus with Steer Assist and Stop & Go Pilot, Bas Plus with junction assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Adaptive High-beam Assist Plus and Night View Assist Plus.

The Mercedes-AMG S 65 coupe. Picture: Supplied

Collison Prevention Assist Plus features an additional function apart from the adaptive brake assistant, which provides collision protection from a speed of 7km/h: if there remains a danger of collision and the driver fails to respond, the system can carry out an autonomous braking manoeuvre at speeds of up to 200km/h, thereby reducing the severity of collisions with slower or stopping vehicles.

The system also brakes in response to stationary vehicles at a speed of up to 50km/h and is able to prevent rear-end collisions at up to 40km/h.

The Pre-safe preventive occupant protection system has been expanded through the inclusion of Pre-safe Plus. Pre-safe Plus can recognise an imminent rear-end collision and warn following traffic by flashing the rear hazard warning lights at a high frequency. If the danger of a collision persists, the system can also firmly apply the parking brake on your vehicle and thus minimise the risk of whiplash injuries by reducing the forward jolt caused by an impact from the rear.

Mercedes-AMG S 65 is a velvet-gloved fist that hits hard, with unmatchable style. Picture: Supplied

Numerous optional equipment features are available to make the interior of the S 65 Coupe even more luxurious and comfortable. For example, the Air Balance package including the components “fragrancing” and “ionisation” is available, as is the electric armrest heating as a component of the Warmth Comfort package. And you can get the optional Seat Comfort package. The front seats feature the energising massage function based on the hot-stone principle.

In cooperation with high-end audio specialists Burmester, two especially high-value audio systems have been developed: the Burmester surround sound system and the Burmester High-End 3D surround sound system.

The Mercedes-AMG S 65 Coupe is a velvet-gloved fist that not only hits hard, but does it with unmatchable style.