There are no surprises here: Mercedes AMG has fitted the same powertrain from the S 63 AMG sedan to the high-performance coupé version of the series. The 5.5-liter bi-turbo V8 engine produces 577hp (585PS) and 900 Nm (663 lb-ft) of torque, allowing the S 63 AMG Coupé to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds and reach an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).

However, when fitted with the available all-wheel-drive system the S 63 AMG Coupé 4Matic does 0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds.

Mercedes says the S 63 AMG Coupé is 65 kilograms (143lbs) lighter than its predecessor, the CL 63 AMG, despite being 40hp (41PS) more powerful and having more standard features.

The AMG Lightweight Performance strategy is responsible for the weight reduction, which was achieved largely thanks to the use of a lightweight lithium-ion battery, AMG forged 19-inch light-alloy wheels and a weight-optimised AMG composite braking system. Furthermore, the entire outer skin and the front end of the body are made of aluminum.

The car has a power-to-weight ratio of 3.41 kg/hp, which is relevant not only for performance, but for fuel economy as well. The S 63 AMG Coupé averages 10.1 l/100 km (23.3 mpg US), 0.4 l/100 km less than the CL 63 AMG.

Present for the first time on Mercedes’ biggest AMG coupe, the optional AMG 4Matic all-wheel-drive system has a 33-67 percent ratio (front-rear) to achieve a sporty feel. The S 63 AMG Coupé 4Matic gets the full air-suspension system Airmatic with the adaptive damping system ADS Plus, while the standard model gets the Magic Body Control system.

The new model is fitted as standard with the AMG sports exhaust system with automatic exhaust flaps that works with the AMG Speedshift MCT 7-speed transmission to deliver different sounds. When the transmission is in “C” (Controlled Efficiency) mode, the flaps remain closed in most situations, in which case the engine’s sound is more understated. In “S” (Sport) and “M” (Manual) modes, the exhaust flaps open earlier and more spontaneously, resulting in an even fuller, hallmark AMG engine sound.

The high-performance variant of the S-Class Coupé will debut at the New York Auto Show in April, with sales beginning in April for the 4Matic variant and in July for the RWD variant. Deliveries begin in September.

By Dan Mihalascu

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