2016 Mercedes-Benz AMG S

Vehicle Overview

Mercedes offers performance-oriented AMG versions of the S-Class sedan and coupe. Both body styles are available as the S63 4Matic with all-wheel drive and as the S65 with rear-wheel drive.

What’s Special

• Hand-built 577-horsepower, turbocharged 5.5-liter V-8 engine (S63)
• Hand-built 621-hp, turbocharged 6.0-liter V-12 (S65)
• Seven-speed automatic transmission with Controlled Efficiency, Sport and Manual modes
• AMG-tuned all-wheel-drive system has 33:67 front-to-rear torque split
• Available carbon fiber interior and exterior trim
• Available carbon-ceramic brakes

Here’s info on the regular S-Class:

Mercedes’ flagship S-Class comes as a sedan and a coupe that seat up to five people. It’s available with rear- or all-wheel drive, a turbocharged V-8 or V-12 gas engine, and as a plug-in hybrid with a V-6 engine. Mercedes also offers high-performance AMG versions of the car.

The S-Class shares luxury-sedan real estate with models like the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series and Bentley Flying Spur. In addition, Mercedes has revived the Maybach name for an ultraluxury sedan — the Mercedes-Maybach S600 — that is based on the S-Class and covered separately in the Cars.com Research section.

(Skip to details on the: S550e)

New for 2016
The sedan gains standard near-field communication that enables wirelessly linking a smartphone to the multimedia system. The Driver Assistance Package now includes Speed Limit Assist, which keeps vehicle speed within posted limits. Swarovski crystal headlights are available for the S-Class coupe.

Significant Standard Features

• 449-hp, turbocharged 4.7-liter V-8 engine
• Seven-speed automatic transmission
• Rear-wheel drive
• All-LED exterior and interior lighting
• Panoramic glass roof
• Power trunk lid
• Soft-close doors
• Leather upholstery and wood trim
• Cabin fragrance system
• Stop-start engine technology
• Air suspension
• Forward collision warning with automatic braking
• Driver-drowsiness monitor
• Navigation system
• Required in every new car: front airbags, antilock brakes and an electronic stability system

Significant Available Features

• 523-hp, turbocharged  6.0-liter V-12
• All-wheel drive
• Camera-based adaptive suspension
• Heated and cooled cupholders
• Heated armrests and door panels
• Dual-screen rear entertainment system
• Heated and ventilated front and rear seats
• Massaging front and rear seats
• Night vision system

S550e

The S550e is a plug-in hybrid that went on sale in spring 2015 in California and in the fall was scheduled to expand to other states that use California’s emissions regulations. It has a turbocharged 3.0-liter gas V-6, a seven-speed automatic transmission and an electric motor powered by a lithium-ion battery pack that provides up to 18 miles of electric-only range. The electric motor also supplements the gas engine during acceleration.

What’s Special

• 329-hp, turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6
• 114-hp electric motor and 8.7-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack
• 2- to 3-hour charging time depending on voltage
• Programmable pre-entry climate control
• Haptic gas pedal provides feedback for efficient operation

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