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2012 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG [w/video]

Michael Harley — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, New Car Reviews, Luxury

The Ultimate Passenger Vessel For Travel To Infinity And Beyond

Sometime before the end of this century, humans will travel to Mars. The longest manned journey ever attempted will take the explorers at least 34 million miles over the course of many months, at best. The vehicle necessary to support such an odyssey will need to be spacious, comfortable, technically advanced, incredibly safe and very powerful.

Before plotting the future spacecraft's design, we suggest the engineers take a close look at the 2012 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG for ideas.

Of course, we don't think the S63 is fit for interplanetary travel - micrometeorites and ultraviolet radiation would likely wreak havoc on its expensive and vogue matte finish Magno Platinum paint - but we do feel it is one of the most spacious and luxurious rocket ships that someone outside of a space agency can put in their personal hangar.

During our week with the AMG-tuned S-Class, its four wheels never left the surface of planet Earth, but we did load it up and make a long weekend trek to Palm Springs. How did this twin-turbocharged sedan handle the long outing and subsequent run into the mountains? Does it drive ponderously, or is the big Benz agile and athletic? Most importantly, what's not to like with this two-and-one-half ton almighty giant?

Continue reading 2012 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG [w/video]

2012 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google exec praises "magical software" working in his Mercedes-Benz

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 19:25:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Safety, Technology, Videos, Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz would love for you to consider its technology akin to magical software. When Google senior vice president Vic Gundotra is the one using those words, however, they might hold a bit more weight. The executive for ~~Skynet~~ Google feels that way because of a close-call he had while driving his S-Class.

Traffic had stopped in front of him, but Gundotra didn't notice. His Mercedes did, however, and the electronic nannies brought the car to a complete stop without a lick of input from Vic. He was so impressed with the technology that he decided to write the automaker a letter to thank them for installing the system into its cars.

That thank you comes from a source that understands software, so Mercedes decided to reach out to Gundotra. The Google exec agreed to appear in a commercial for Benz, and he wasn't paid for his participation. Click past the jump to see the 30-second spot.

Continue reading Google exec praises "magical software" working in his Mercedes-Benz

Google exec praises "magical software" working in his Mercedes-Benz originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Sep 2011 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz prices new biturbo V8 models

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 15:32:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ready to experience the thrill of a twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V8 that produces 536 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque? Unfortunately, that kind of excitement doesn't come cheap. Mercedes-Benz has announced pricing for its upcoming 2011 CL63 AMG coupe and S63 AMG sedan. The two-door starts at $151,125 and the four-door will set you back at least $138,875. Both are available with the optional AMG Performance Package, which ups the power output to 563 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque. A little lower on the power pole sits the restyled 2011 CL550 4MATIC, which starts at $114,025, and is motivated by a 4.6-liter V8 which produces 429 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque.

The 4.6-liter unit is 20 percent smaller, in terms of displacement, than the engine it replaces, yet produces 12 percent more horsepower, 32 percent more torque and improves fuel economy by 10 percent. The AMG mill also sees considerable gains in power, and thanks to direct-injection and the use of start/stop technology it sees a 20 percent rise in fuel economy.

Gallery: Paris 2010: 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz prices new biturbo V8 models

Mercedes-Benz prices new biturbo V8 models originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz unveils 2011 S63 AMG with twin-turbo 5.5L V8 [w/video]

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

2011 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG - Click above for high-res image gallery

Engine downsizing has now come to the almost top-of-the-line Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG with the adoption of AMG's new twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8. The new direct-injected V8 bumps output up from a mere 518 horsepower to 571 horsepower along with generating 663 pound-feet of torque between 2,250 and 3,750 rpm. That's sufficient to propel this behemoth to 62 mph in just 4.5 seconds in normal trim or 4.4 seconds if you opt for the AMG sports package.

The 2011 S63 also swaps out its previous torque converter automatic transmission for the multi-clutch unit from the SL63, a move which should lend it a more sporting feel. Just as other automakers get both performance and efficiency benefits from boosted direct-injected engines, the S63's combine fuel economy numbers have jumped from 16.3 miles per gallon (U.S.) to 22.4 mpg on the EU test cycle. The EPA numbers aren't yet available, but we would expect a similar real-world increase from the 2010 model's 14 mpg, though perhaps a bit smaller since the EPA's testing methodology won't show any benefits from the S63's new automatic start-stop feature. Official press release and driving footage video after the jump, spanking new high-res gallery below.

Gallery: 2011 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz unveils 2011 S63 AMG with twin-turbo 5.5L V8 [w/video]

Mercedes-Benz unveils 2011 S63 AMG with twin-turbo 5.5L V8 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spa Treatment: Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG "Thirty-Five" meets 300 SEL 6.8 AMG

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 15:31:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Sedan, Performance, Europe, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

Legendary AMG rote Sau meets an even bigger, faster "Red Pig" - Click above for high-res image gallery

Fans of endurance racing need no introduction to the first ever AMG racing luxury sedan, the 300 SEL 6.8. You non-fans, however, do. Known affectionately as the rote Sau (i.e. Red Pig, though for some reason Daimler left this little factoid out of their otherwise way-more-than-comprehensive press release), the beyond-blueprinted engine (increased from 6.3 to 6.8 liters) kicked out 428 horsepower and allowed the pre-Hammer to smash its way to a startling second place finish at the 1971 24 Hours of Spa.

Let's rephrase that: the 300 SEL 6.8 AMG bullied its way to an utterly astonishing second place finish, and became the crowd favorite while doing so. Why so unbelievable? The Red Pig weighed a porcine 3,600 pounds, partly because AMG left the heavy air suspension and exotic wood trim in place. Luckily, Spa's long straights allowed the hard-working brakes plenty of time to cool down, and the heaviest car on the track finished the day way ahead of everyone save the winning Ford Capri and AMG's expectations.

Fast forward thirty nine years and look what we've got here: the 2011 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG Thirty-Five. Why Thirty-Five? That's the same number the rote Sau wore back at Spa. But this is not your rich banker neighbor's S63. Long gone is the magnificent 6.2-liter V8, having been replaced by the all new yet still hand built twin-turbo 5.5-liter AMG V8. In "stock" form, this motor produces 544 hp and 590 pound-feet of torque. Though the S63 Thirty-Five's motivator has been BAMMED! up a notch to produce 571 horses (the same amount as the SLS AMG) and 664 lb-ft of twist. Yowza! The big sedan also gets AMG's frankly awesome wet clutch Speedshift MCT 7-speed transmissions that in full manual mode will embarrass all but the most exotic dual-clutches.

The run to 60 happens in about 4.3 seconds, which is impressive as even though Daimler left the S63 Thirty-Five's weight out of the press release, it ~~porks~~ clocks in right around 2.5 tons. Once again: Yowza! Also, the big AMG has a roll cage, and those ain't light. Both identically liveried cars got driven around Spa by none other than Hans Heyer and Clemens Schickentanz, the men behind the wheel for the 1971 race. You can read all about it in the press release after the break.

Gallery: AMG S63 Thirty-Five and AMG 300 SEL 6.8

[Source: Daimler]

Continue reading Spa Treatment: Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG "Thirty-Five" meets 300 SEL 6.8 AMG

Spa Treatment: Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG "Thirty-Five" meets 300 SEL 6.8 AMG originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Jun 2010 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris Motor Show: Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG

Randall Halcomb — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz

AMG presented the results of its latest Mercedes-Benz performance manipulation with the S 63 AMG at the 2006 Paris Motor show this week. The eight-cylinder S 63 is blessed with AMG's new 6.3-liter, 525-hp powerplant, which boasts the highest specific output and torque of any series-produced naturally aspirated eight cylinder in the world. The 465 ft-lb of twist from AMG's monster V8 turns the S-class into a weapon of mass rubber destruction with the ability to sprint from 0-60 in 4.6 seconds. Other changes include special tuning for the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed transmission, AMG body styling, AMG alloy wheels, AMG sport suspension, and an exclusive AMG interior. The autobahn-burning S 63 AMG is also offered in both standard and extended wheelbases, just in case you need to haul a couple of your close NBA player friends around at extra-legal speeds.

You can check out more of the photos from Mercedes as well as read the details of the techo-wizardry that Mercedes-Benz and AMG have dropped into the S 63 after the jump. You can also check out that other AMG-ified car, the CL63, right here.

Continue reading Paris Motor Show: Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG

Paris Motor Show: Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Sep 2006 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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