2018 Mercedes-AMG S65 exists only for customers who want the best in luxury regardless of cost

A lot of people question why there is even a 2018 Mercedes-AMG S65, firstly because it costs a lot more than the S63 sedan ($82,500 more) and yet, it is 0.7 second slower when sprinting from zero to 60 miles per hour. Both cars not only have similar top speeds, but they both offer the same options and features. In other words, we do not clearly see why the S65 should cost a lot more than the S63. We don’t see it both on paper, and when looking at it. Therefore, paying for so much more is quite irrational. But I guess that’s why its customers would want this model.

Nick Martin, AMG Product Manager at Mercedes-Benz, says that there will always be someone who prefers a 12-cylinder, and that they will buy the ultimate in performance because that’s their character.

The S65 is one of the few models out there that are still offered with a V12 engine, hence making it very exclusive. And of all Mercedes models, this is the only one with the S-Class powertrain that has been unchanged for the 2018 model year. Martin continues to say that the S65 has a niche market, and these people buy it not for logical reasons but because it is considered the best model in the dealership, saying that “the S65 exists because there is no S75”.

Let us move on to the pros of the S65. With its 6.0 liter biturbocharged engine, it carries out 621 horsepower and an immense 738 pound-feet of torque with 2,300 rpm. The rear-wheel drive has enough grunt to pass anyone in just seconds, at any speed in any gear. The S65’s suspension can be adjusted depending on the driver’s preference: from Comfort, Sport, to Curve.

The S65 is undoubtedly a luxury vehicle, so it should also come with a nice interior. Therefore, the company gave it a unique steering wheel with a flat bottom and larger shift paddles, together with unique displays for the digital instrument cluster to highlight the car’s sporty intentions.

As for the cons, though the S65 has already been refreshed, it kept the seven-speed transmission, and it clunks on downshifts, especially when being driven in the city. It is actually an obvious contrast to the ultra-slick nine-speed transmission in other S-Class models. Another problem with the S65 is that it will be released in a country with a 70-mph speed limit. So how would customers take advantage of the 603 horsepower engine that it has to offer?

That it has a hyper-inflated price tag would normally be a con but in this case, it’s probably what’s attracting all the rich people to it. It has a whopping starting price of $229,500, putting it way more expensive than Mercedes-Mayback sedans and a lot of full-on supercars. With all options ticked, the cost could go as high as $241,295.