Mercedes-AMG S63 2014 News

The powerful new AMG version adds V8 twin turbo lunacy to the elegant S class coupe range, with a range-topping version that will be unveiled at New York motor show next month. Powered by a twin turbo 5.5-litre V8, which now puts out 436kW (up 6kW from the sedan) and an astonishing 900Nm, delivery is to the rear wheels, or all four wheels on 4MATIC versions.Equipped with four-wheel drive, the car constantly sends two-thirds of the torque to the rear wheels, to assist with balance and weight distribution. Both versions use a seven-speed SPEEDSHIFT MCT automatic.The car’s aluminium panels and a lighter lithium battery, alloy wheels and brakes have contributed to a weight reduction of 65Kg, compared to the CL class coupe it replaces. The weight loss may not significantly reduce the car’s 2-tonne weight, but combined with the urge of the twin turbo V8 sends the S63 AMG sprinting from standstill to 100km/h in just 4.3 seconds. Opt for all wheel drive and the run is reduced to just 3.9 seconds, on the way to an electronically controlled 300km/h top speed.To help keep things tidy around corners, AMG engineers have fitted an AIRMATIC air suspension, with adaptive dampers, stiff anti-roll bars and a custom frame at the back to enhance the handling characteristics. Buyers can chose to up-spec from ceramic brakes to carbon ceramic brakes too, and lighter, 20 inch alloy wheels to reduce weight and increase visual impact.The four exhaust tips and gloss finish rear diffuser are helped by wide guards, unique grill and bumper, and “V8 BI-TURBO” badges to make the S63 AMG coupe stand out from the rest of the range. Nappa leather trimmed sports seats, embossed with an AMG logo, exclusive AMG dials and three spoke sports wheel make the interior a special place too.The S63 AMG coupe is expected to arrive in Australia later this year, with prices yet to be advised. But an S65 AMG coupe is also being developed. The flagship coupe will be powered by the brand’s monstrous V12 engine, and command a significant specification and price increase on the S63 AMG.

Mercedes-Benz has revealed the two-door coupe version of its flagship S-Class, featuring everything from Swarovski crystal blinged headlights to world-first technology that lets it 'bank' on corners.The crystals are an extra option -- 17 for the daytime running lights and 30 for the indicator lights in each cluster -- that combine with the standard LED light clusters.The 'curve tilting' system allows the car to lean into bends in the same way a motorcycle would "reducing the lateral acceleration acting on the vehicle's occupants," the press statement says, adding that it improves ride comfort particularly on country roads. By which they mean European country roads rather than the rutted goat tracks with which some parts of Australia are blessed.Integrated into the vehicle's 'Magic Body Control' and 'Active Body Control' systems that monitor the road ahead and adjust the suspension in preparation, the tilt tech works to counter the laws of physics by leaning the vehicle almost instantaneously up to 2.5 degrees. The new system uses cameras to scan up to 15 metres ahead and calculate when and how far to tilt.Apart from the bedazzled headlight clusters, the styling is largely a toned-down version of the coupe concept that was unveiled in Frankfurt last September, with a face set off by an imposing grille and sleek roof line.Under the bonnet in S500 form is a twin-turbocharged 4.6-litre V8 engine developing 335kW of power and 700Nm of torque, driving the rear wheels. More versions will join the line-up after the unveiling, paralleling the sedan with an S63 carrying a 430kW/900Nm 5.5-litre turbo V8, while an AMG variant is also in the works.The S-Class Coupe is expected to arrive in Australia in the final quarter of this year, and while pricing has not yet been confirmed, it's unlikely to move too far from the CL-Class coupe it replaces as the S sedan's companion."We don't expect there will a significant change in pricing (from the CL-Class which opens  with the $336,500 CL500)," Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesman David McCarthy says, adding that there could be some increase on the usually single-figure annual sales."There'll be some uplift in volume -- there always is," he says. Plus CL buyers are some of our most loyal. After the launch of the last one, a customer stopped by Mercedes-Benz Express to drop his three-year-old CL off before a flight, saw the new one sitting there and bought it the next day."McCarthy says the Australian range will over time grow to four variants. "We will of have V12 models in Australia -- there are customers that, no matter how good the V8 is, will always want the V12."So the S500 will be followed by the AMG, the S600 and S65 -- we're not bringing the 65 in the sedan but we will with the coupe.  The time frame is probably a bit stretched out for them to arrive, and at this stage don't know definitely what it will beAnd the Mercedes-Benz Australia is keen on getting the new curve tilt technology here as an option. "If it's available to us, we will have it. This is what our technology is about -- improving your life. If live is a matter of degrees, in the case of the S-Class coupe it's actually 2.5 degrees to make a difference."And having seen the car in the flesh, it's ... gorgeous isn't the right word, nor is stunning. It's just ...right."Watch the desktop version of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe trailer video here. This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

Confectionary brand M&M’s has also delivered a Super Bowl treat this week, with a new ad for the colourful button-shaped candies.Yellow – the peanut M&M character – is unknowingly taken captive by Russian underworld types, in the boot of an oh-so Russian baddie black S-Class Mercedes-Benz.The head mobster has his eye on tasty chopped peanut M&M icecream topping, and the oblivious Yellow is all for it. Watch the desktop version of the M&M's Super Bowl ad here. This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn 

Earlier this week, Jaguar released an ad that spoofed Mercedes-Benz's 'chicken' ad -- which used the gimbal-like qualities of a chook's head and body to highlight the high-tech suspension of the German brand's flagship S-Class.The Jaguar video ad pooh-poohed the idea of the Mercedes 'Magic Ride' system, with the British brand saying "we prefer cat-like reflexes" and introducing the fowl to the Jaguar -- with the expected results.Today Mercedes has fired a returning salvo, with the ad below, showing they're not averse to a bit of luxury brand banter.We're hoping this turns into a similar car ad war to the battles fought in the US by Audi and BMW with a series of ads, kicked off by a billboard in California, with a later skirmish in Hong Kong. That volley started on the theme of which brand had the best claim to being a luxury badge, and later moved to a comparison between beauty and performance -- with some other brands tipping in. The point and counterpoint kept us all amused, and social media aflame, for some time.In the end, nothing is decided by the exercise. But there are no losers when the major car brands show they have a sense of humour behind all the usual marketing spin.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincottWatch the Jaguar chicken ad on or desktop site.Watch the Mercedes-Benz chicken ad on or desktop site. 

Benz is planning a super-stretched S-Class next year with a 2+2+2 seating layout but this car is "only" the long-wheelbase S. It picks up an additional 200 millimetres for rear legroom and there is also a third side window hidden beneath the camo tape. 

The photos show how the car has been slimmed and trimmed to make it less of a heavyweight. The coupe will pick up all the technology from the S-Class sedan and will also still come with a V12 engine for people who don't have to worry about petrol.

...but don't have to wait that long to see exactly how it looks. The S is caught by Carparazzi without a skerrick of camouflage and the promise of a Magic Ride Control system that uses cameras to watch the road ahead and instantly adjust the suspension to suit. Here early in 2014 for at least $200,000.

 It's much more distinctive in the bodywork and could go public before the end of the year. 

Inside, there are two giant LCD displays, one for the instruments and the other for the infotainment system.The S-Class looks classy and we'll have a first drive report from Europe in July. 

The new S Class is longer and more luxurious than the existing model with styling influenced by the F700 concept car of 2007.