AutoWeek - 2008 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG (short drive)

Merc1 · **AutoWeek - 2008 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG (short drive) -** 10-01-2007, 07:49 AM

OUR TAKE: This is a sort of odd duck. It’s an AMG, but not top of the line (that’s the S65 AMG, which tacks on another $65,000) because it’s a V8 rather than the twin-turbo 12. If you’re into corner-carving or high-speed travel, this is an alternative that settles for almost 90 fewer hp than the S65 but gives you the handling/braking and other upgrades that come with the AMG range.

We’ve finally made friends with Distronic, which is pretty much necessary when driving a 500-plus-hp car on a crowded freeway. Of course, this mode of “driving” also calls into serious question the need for any of the AMG equipment in the first place. One 0-to-60-mph run in 4.5 seconds, and all the fun is pretty much done. On an entry ramp, the car can hit 95 mph (30 over the limit!) and get back down to 65 before actually merging onto the freeway proper. Now, your basic S550 might not pull off that trick—the advertised 0-to-60 time on that baby is “only” 5.4 seconds, after all.

After that, you’re doing stuff like playing with the panoramic sunroof and sliding the sun shades up and down on the rear windows just to keep yourself from going bananas in a high-performance car in the land of 65 mph and strict enforcement. This car is pretty much asleep until you’re doing 80, at which point you want the panoramic roof open to watch for police in the sky as well as along the roadside. Ridiculous?

All the gizmos in this car would have worked just as well in a base S-Class (S550) with a V8, the ride would’ve been smoother, and there’d have been less noise. Your payments would be smaller, and you might even squeeze 20 miles out of a gallon of gas. Of course, we’re reluctant to be perceived as “anti-performance,” because this car can be a giggle on a winding road. But for the kind of driving most people do most of the time, a $90,000 S-Class is already gilding the lily, and a version with 130 more hp and a sticker $45,000 higher is just way too much car. Of course, if you’re really into status, this is the bargain AMG—it looks like an AMG, it’s got the gear, and the people who could tell the difference between this and the S65 (base sticker: $197,500) would be rare. The parking valet would put your S-Class AMG right up front, y’ know?

As-tested price: $136,245
Drivetrain: 6.3-liter V8; rwd, seven-speed automatic
Output: 518 hp @ 6800 rpm, 465 lb-ft @ 5200 rpm
Curb weight: 4665 lb
Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 13/17.1 mpg
Options: Distronic PLUS ($2,870); premium III package, including dynamic rear-view monitor, night-view assist ($2,090); panorama sunroof ($1,010); iPod integration kit ($425); customer cash loyalty credit for missing standard equipment (minus $925)

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M

Tarek

what can i say...superb car