MERCEDES-BENZ NEW MODELS

Mercedes-Benz S 63 AMG offers 575 horsepower of high-class muscle car

Mercedes-Benz S 63 AMG offers 575 horsepower of high-class muscle car

By EWAN KENNEDY

CAPTIONS:
A.    .
B.    .\
C.    .

BODY COPY
Last week’s article on the recently expanded Mercedes-Benz S-Class range concentrated on the ultra-economy model, the S 300 Hybrid. With an official fuel consumption of a mere 4.5 litres per hundred kilometres it grabbed our attention so we featured a major technical feature on in.

Lost in the low fuel usage was news on other new models in the S-Class range. One was a long-wheelbase version of the S 400, a model that’s likely to attract the attention of the limo fleets as it has stretch-out rear seat space and plenty of performance. With a price tag, excluding on-road costs, of $230,000 it’s not exactly a bargain, but you do get a lot of German upper-luxury class for your money.

If you’ve got lots more money to spare why not go for the big gun – the Mercedes S 600. With a huge V12 engine up front it now displaces a handy 6.0 litres. Pumping up that big capacity by attaching twin turbochargers and you finish up with the equivalent of around 10 litres of grunt. It puts out no less than 525 horsepower (390 kW) with torque being a ridiculously high 830 Nm at a ridiculously low 1900 rpm.

Top of the line Mercedes S 600 features 12-cylinder power

Top of the line Mercedes S 600 features 12-cylinder power

The Mercedes-Benz S 600 also runs the LWB body.

With a manufacture’s recommended list price (MRLP) of $451,000 it’s not for the fainthearted. Oh, and don’t forget to factor in the on-road costs… most of which go to the government in the form of stamp duty and registration charges.

Mercedes-Benz S 400 is now offered with long-wheelbase body as well as the standard one

Mercedes-Benz S 400 is now offered with long-wheelbase body as well as the standard one

For the revhead who likes his cars large, Mercedes-Benz Australia can provide the S 63 AMG. Its MRLP is $385,000 plus on-roads, but that sort of cash buys you a 575 horsepower V8 long-wheelbase high-performance car with torque that peaks at 900 Newton metres.

Stocks are relatively limited so we suggest talking to your dealer soon if you’ve got half an interest in getting into one of these machines.

About Ewan Kennedy

Ewan Kennedy, a long-time car enthusiast, was Technical Research Librarian with the NRMA from 1970 until 1985. He worked part-time as a freelance motoring journalist from 1977 until 1985, when he took a full-time position as Technical Editor with Modern Motor magazine. Late in 1987 he left to set up a full-time business as a freelance motoring journalist. Ewan is an associate member of the Society of Automotive Engineers - International. An economy driving expert, he set the Guinness World Record for the greatest distance travelled in a standard road vehicle on a single fuel fill. He lists his hobbies as stage acting, travelling, boating and reading.
Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *