2017 Mercedes-AMG S65 Coupe

Apr 18, 2024, 6:41pm ET

Launched to replace the CL, the Mercedes-AMG S65 Coupe wraps the luxurious comfort and the prodigious amount of power of the S65 sedan in a sleek, two-door skin.

The S65 Coupe builds on the performance of the Mercedes-Benz S550 Coupe with a powerful V12 engine and performance-oriented features. A mid-range V8-powered model called S63 Coupe is also available.

Performance and Style

The S65 Coupe is powered by a hand-built, 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged V12 engine that produces 621 horsepower from 4,800 to 5,400 rpm and 738 pound-feet of torque from 2,300 to 4,300 rpm. It hits 60 mph from a stop in four seconds flat.

The V12 is bolted to a seven-speed automatic transmission that can be left in drive or controlled by steering wheel-mounted paddles. Unlike the other two S Coupes, the S65 is exclusively offered with rear-wheel drive.

Fuel economy checks in at 13 mpg in the city and a respectable 20 mpg on the highway.

Also standard is a high-performance, composite braking system for maximum stopping power. The S65 also boasts a performance exhaust, a lithium-ion battery that saves weight, and an active sport suspension.

Looking the Part

Visually, the S65 stands out thanks to a more pronounced front bumper with chrome accents, and Swarovski crystals embedded in the headlights. Out back, the coupe gets an air diffuser framed by chromed trapezoidal exhaust tips and LED tail lamps.

Dark-finished 20-inch alloy wheels add a finishing touch to the sporty look. Red brake calipers that highlight the high-performance braking system are offered at an extra cost.

Life Aboard

While the S65 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 high-end 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.

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 Mercedes-AMG S65 comes standard with a robust feature set, including LED lighting, Mercedes' Magic Body Control technology, black poplar wood trim, a panoramic roof, 12-way power-adjustable front seats with a memory function, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, heated front arm rests, keyless entry, a power rear sunshade, soft-close doors, dual-zone A/C, an air purification system, a household-type 115-volt outlet, a HomeLink transceiver, a heads-up display, navigation with an 80GB hard drive, an in-car WiFi hotspot, and Bluetooth connectivity.

Want more? The long list of options includes a carbon fiber exterior package, piano black trim in the cabin, red calipers, carbon ceramic brakes, a splitview infotainment system, an in-car fridge, and a heated windshield.

Occupant Safety

Mercedes-Benz has long been known for building vehicles with industry-leading safety features, and the S65 Coupe is no exception. In addition to standard ABS and electronic stability control, the list of standard safety features includes adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, blind spot assist with cross traffic alert, automatic braking, and lane keeping assist.

Additionally, 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.

Key Competitors

At this price point, cost and configuration comparisons can get a bit murky. That said, the S65 Coupe's closest competitors are the Bentley Continental GT Speed and the Aston Martin DB9 GT.