2017 Mercedes-AMG S63 Coupe

Apr 14, 2024, 5:17pm ET

Launched to replace the CL, the Mercedes-AMG S63 Coupe wraps the luxurious comfort and the prodigious amount of power of the S63 sedan in a sleek, two-door skin.

The S63 Coupe builds on the performance of the Mercedes-Benz S550 Coupe with a larger, more powerful engine and performance-oriented features.

Performance and Style

The S63 4MATIC Coupe is powered by a hand-built, 5.5-liter, biturbo V8 producing 577 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 664 lb-ft of torque from 2,250-3,750 rpm. Like the base S550 Coupe, the S63 is available only with Mercedes' 4MATIC all-wheel drive, however owing to the S63 AMG's performance-oriented mission, power is split permanently with a rear-axle bias, with 67% of the power going to the rear wheels and 33% to the front. The S550 Coupe's conventional automatic transmission is replaced by a 7-speed dual-clutch unit designed to deliver maximum performance.

Also standard is a high-performance, composite braking system for maximum stopping power. The S63 also boasts the S550's advanced performance exhaust, which automatically opens valves to increase sound when driven aggressively.

The S63 4MATIC's exterior is augmented by more aggressive exterior design elements. The front features a more pronounced lower bumper. Ten-spoke, dark-finished wheels are set against aggressive red calipers, highlighting the high-performance braking system. In the rear, a sporty splitter frames the quad-tipped exhaust system.

Life Aboard

While the S63 4MATIC Coupe's exterior design is meant to evoke power and aggression, the interior features all of the technological wizardry and old-school luxury one expects from a Mercedes-Benz. The wrap-around dashboard and upper door treatment contrasts strikingly with the floating lower console, a look that required a unique, low-mounted airbag to execute. Leather can be found on nearly all interior surfaces, and trim pieces are accentuated by "Silver Shadow” electroplating for added depth and contrast. Unique to the S63 is a three-spoke AMG sport steering wheel.

The Coupe's 2+2 seating layout is accentuated by deeply-sculpted and bolstered rear seats designed to provide support to passengers in high-performance situations.

The dash is dominated by twin TFT displays which house the gauge cluster as well as the Coupe's entertainment, navigation and climate features. As in the S-Class Sedan, these are all controlled by the interface housed in the center console, which is equipped with a touchpad for handwriting and gesture-based input.

Features and Options

The S63 AMG 4MATIC Coupe comes standard with a robust feature set, including LED lighting (exterior and interior), a Burmester AM/FM/CD/SiriusXM stereo system, heated seats, leather upholstery, a rearview camera, Bluetooth connectivity, a power rear window sunshade, adaptive highbeam assist and 18-inch alloy wheels. The panorama roof's MAGIC SKY CONTROL feature allows the driver to adjust the transparency of the roof at the click of a button. At its lightest setting, the roof is effectively transparent. At the darkest tint setting, less than 1% of exterior light is transmitted into the cabin, effectively eliminating solar heating. A sliding shade blocks light entirely if desired.

Like the S-Class Sedan, the Coupe comes standard with a navigation system, a Burmester AM/FM/CD/SiriusXM stereo system, a panorama sunroof, heated seats, leather upholstery, a rearview camera, Bluetooth connectivity, full LED exterior and interior lighting, a power rear window sunshade, adaptive highbeam assist and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Additional features, including the upgraded Burmester High-End 3D surround sound, head-up display, heated center console (Warmth Comfort Package) and expressive headlamps (featuring Swarovski crystals) are also available. DISTRONIC PLUS adaptive cruise control with Steering Assist is also available with the Driver Assistance Package.

Mercedes engineers managed to improve the S-Class' night-vision system with the introduction of Night View Assist PLUS, which is equipped a special pedestrian detection function. The Pre-Safe braking system has also been improved to reduce injuries in unavoidable crashes. Mercedes says the car can apply maximum braking pressure automatically around 0.6 seconds before what is recognized as an unavoidable accident. The system therefore acts as something like an "electronic crumple zone," Mercedes contends.

Above and beyond the standard S-Class Coupe options, the S63 AMG 4MATIC also has the option for an ultra-high-performance AMG Carbon Ceramic braking system.

Occupant Safety

Mercedes-Benz has long been known for building vehicles with industry-leading safety features, and the S63 Coupe is no exception. In addition to standard ABS and electronic stability control, a full suite of high-tech safety features are available as standard equipment or part of the Driver Assistance Package.

The core standard safety system is COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS, which utilizes radar to detect stopped traffic and assist the driver in avoiding a collision. It can stop the vehicle from speeds up to 65mph without intervention from the driver, or communicate with the PRE-SAFE system to help reduce the severity of a collision if it is unavoidable.

The PRE-SAFE PLUS system prepares the car in the event of an imminent collision, increasing brake pressure and distribution forces properly to maximize stopping power. It also prepares other on-board systems (airbags, seatbelts) for the impending crash.

ATTENTION ASSIST monitors behavior and alerts the driver if there are indicators of inattention that could contribute to an unsafe driving situation.

Other optional safety features include BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Adaptive High Beam Assist and Night View Assist PLUS.

Key Competitors

In this segment, cost and configuration comparisons can get a bit murky. The S63 AMG 4MATIC Coupe's closest competitors are the BMW M6, the Aston Martin DB9 and Bentley Continental GT.