What Is It?
2006 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG
What's Special About It?
"The perfect Mercedes-Benz." That's what Rob Allan calls the S65 AMG sedan. And Rob should know — he's the U.S. product manger for AMG. So when he singles out one model from his AMG family of extreme-performance Mercedes-Benzes, it's time to pay attention.
The S65's showcase feature is its 604-horsepower, 738 (yes, 738) lb-ft of torque, twin-turbocharged V12. With such power storming to the S65's rear tires through an AMG-enhanced five-speed automatic transmission, the company's new flagship four-door will snap out 0-60 mph in (by M-B's conservative estimate) 4.2 seconds, making it a god in the sedan-performance pantheon. Those rear tires, by the way, measure 275/35ZR-19, while the fronts are 245/40ZR-19.
Two-piece front brake rotors that are bigger than the entire wheel of many cars — 15.2 inches — are seized upon by eight-piston fixed calipers.
Already a subtle form, the S-Class exterior gets a series of AMG changes that hint, "I am a Corvette killer on the road. I am a BMW killer." At the front, these hints include an AMG front apron with a broad meshed air intake. At the rear, four chrome-tipped tailpipes send the killer message home. And at each corner sits a 19-inch, five-spoke AMG alloy wheel.
Inside, full leather upholstery and rich wood trim drape the cockpit, while the driver and front passenger are overindulged by seats made to warm, cool and massage you. Think…well, think ultra S-Class and you'll get the idea.
Certainly there are at least $169,000 worth of performance and luxury expectations laid upon the S65, so the car's $169,000 base price seems appropriate.
What's Edmunds' Take?
If there is such a thing as the perfect Mercedes-Benz, the S65 may well be it. While lingering quality issues and Japanese luxury contenders continue to nip at the fraying coattails of Mercedes, AMG has managed to pull away from all competitors at the ultimate levels of performance luxury. — Richard Homan
2006 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG
What's Special About It?
"The perfect Mercedes-Benz." That's what Rob Allan calls the S65 AMG sedan. And Rob should know — he's the U.S. product manger for AMG. So when he singles out one model from his AMG family of extreme-performance Mercedes-Benzes, it's time to pay attention.
The S65's showcase feature is its 604-horsepower, 738 (yes, 738) lb-ft of torque, twin-turbocharged V12. With such power storming to the S65's rear tires through an AMG-enhanced five-speed automatic transmission, the company's new flagship four-door will snap out 0-60 mph in (by M-B's conservative estimate) 4.2 seconds, making it a god in the sedan-performance pantheon. Those rear tires, by the way, measure 275/35ZR-19, while the fronts are 245/40ZR-19.
Two-piece front brake rotors that are bigger than the entire wheel of many cars — 15.2 inches — are seized upon by eight-piston fixed calipers.
Already a subtle form, the S-Class exterior gets a series of AMG changes that hint, "I am a Corvette killer on the road. I am a BMW killer." At the front, these hints include an AMG front apron with a broad meshed air intake. At the rear, four chrome-tipped tailpipes send the killer message home. And at each corner sits a 19-inch, five-spoke AMG alloy wheel.
Inside, full leather upholstery and rich wood trim drape the cockpit, while the driver and front passenger are overindulged by seats made to warm, cool and massage you. Think…well, think ultra S-Class and you'll get the idea.
Certainly there are at least $169,000 worth of performance and luxury expectations laid upon the S65, so the car's $169,000 base price seems appropriate.
What's Edmunds' Take?
If there is such a thing as the perfect Mercedes-Benz, the S65 may well be it. While lingering quality issues and Japanese luxury contenders continue to nip at the fraying coattails of Mercedes, AMG has managed to pull away from all competitors at the ultimate levels of performance luxury. — Richard Homan
Add A Comment »