2015 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG Coupe VIDEO REVIEW

2015 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG Coupe REVIEW

Having test-driven thousands of cars only a handful remains ingrained in my memory. And the Mercedes CL is one of those. I’m attracted to cars that fly under the radar, and the brand’s flagship Coupe is one of the rarest Mercedes models. For 2015, it’s been completely redesigned and given a new name; the S-Class Coupe. To make it even more special, this is the super exclusive, high performance S63 AMG.

Drive into New York City and the S-Class Sedan is practically as common as a yellow taxi. So if you want to make an individual statement, this is the S-Class for you. There is an undeniable sensuousness to this car that few others can match. It’s elegant and extremely powerful, poised yet ready to pounce.

The S-Class Coupe is available in 3 models, all powered by bi-turbo engines, 2 of which are tuned by the speed freaks at Mercedes’ AMG unit, and none is faster than this S63. This car exists to be the highest expression of the Mercedes-Benz brand showcasing their pinnacle of deign. As such, it’s priced for One Percenters with a starting MSRP of nearly $162,000 while the range-topping S65 AMG costs over $230,000. That money buys you a car few others can have with a detailed focus on both luxury and performance. There’s a hand built 8-cylinder engine assembled by 1 man, a breathtakingly designed, optional designo interior, and a body which perfectly conveys the very essence of an AMG model. Available in 14 hues, mainly variations of black and grey, this here is Anthracite Blue.

The interior is truly a sight to behold with a bespoke appearance that’s usually reserved for concept cars. Items like heated rest points for your arms, massaging seats and a fragrance atomizer create a day spa environment in a cabin that’s got to be one of the quietest I’ve ever heard. And the huge displays and new touch interface give it a modern feel.

Talk about a stress reducer; the S63 is the perfect antidote for road rage. While others see red during their congested commute, you sit in your customized Nappa leather seat, choosing from an assortment of massages, as a soothing fragrance wafts by your nose and the sounds from the high-end 13-speaker Burmester audio system surround your ears. You’re encapsulated in a climate controlled environment void of unwanted noise with a panoramic glass roof above your head. And when traffic finally opens up, the S63 effortlessly gobbles up the miles riding on an air suspension so forgiving that it laughs at rough pavement and thus you arrive at home well rested. Or, you can activate the sport modes, tightening the body, energizing the engine and transmission and raising the voice of the exhaust, attacking challenging traffic to lop off time. And either way, the S63 is the perfect answer. The 577 horsepower 5.5-liter V8, 7-speed AMG multi-clutch transmission and rear-biased 4MATIC all-wheel drive system provide the framework for a car that can go from luxury to gonzo in under 4-seconds, and at almost 4,700 pounds, that’s pretty amazing.

The S63 is a large coupe and it feels hefty from behind the wheel. Sure, 664 pound-feet of torque can overcome all kids of physics and fast is in this car’s DNA yet it’s got to be the most polite AMG model you can buy. It’s not until you active Sport mode that those 3 letters really come to life with the raucous exhaust sound finally permeating the hushed cabin. The S63 Coupe is mostly about serene, ridiculously capable GT motoring but when summoned, can feel very much the part of a sports car.

Staggered width 20” wheels fitted with super high-end ContiSportContact 5P summer use tires work in concert with the Adaptive Damping Sport Suspension to remarkably scrub out body roll and provide a keen connectedness via the electromechanical steering. At nearly 200” in length, it’s not your prototypical canyon cutter but it’s certainly up to the challenge and the massive AMG 6-piston calipers are stop-dead powerful. Two notes about the S63’s personality, though; 1) the SPEEDSHIFT transmission is occasionally clunky in around the town driving and 2) the brakes are grabby.

But the tech is brilliant, even though it’s sometimes overwhelming. Adaptive LED lighting, a high-res heads-up display, a night vision system, and the clearest high-definition around view cameras I’ve ever seen are just a tip of the iceberg when it comes to all of the safety, comfort and convenience features this model packs. Yet despite its lofty placement, you still can’t get a 4G internet connection nor Siri Eyes-Free for iPhone users and that would chap me if I owned one.

This S63 AMG Coupe with a handful of options stickers for $171,950 with fuel economy of 15mpg city/23mpg highway. It has 2 very usable back seats and a trunk to match. And if I was allowed to pick any Mercedes-Benz model to call my own, it would be this one.

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