Here’s the next mega-powered Mercedes to join the enormous AMG range: the new S63 AMG coupe.
It’ll look almost identical to the S-class coupe concept displayed at the 2013 Frankfurt motor show, but add the usual AMG styling cue giveaways – and more power than a Ferrari 458 Spider or Porsche 911 Turbo S.
What’s different about this Mercedes S-class coupe to the last one CAR scooped?
Up until now, we’ve only seen the regular model testing in the wild: this is the autobahn-storming S63. There’s a revised, more aggressive front bumper, even more extrovert than that fitted to the S63 AMG saloon, for a kick-off.
Those intakes feed air to the huge cross-drilled front brakes, crammed behind multispoke AMG wheels. Fade-immune ceramic stoppers will be on the options list to, identified by gold-coloured monobloc brake calipers.
At the opposite end, the S63 coupe grows a taller bootlid lip spoiler and sprouts four trapezoidal tailpipes for the twin-turbo V8 to breathe out through. Packing 577bhp and 664lb ft (up 41bhp and 74lb ft from the already brisk outgoing CL63 AMG it replaces), the new S63 AMG coupe is sure to be a very fast piece of kit. Reckon on 0-62mph in around 4.5sec, and a top speed limited to 155mph.
Though the UK is thought to only receive a rear-drive version, a 4Matic all-wheel drive version with even more ballistic acceleration is likely to be an option in Continental and American left-hooker markets. All AMG S-classes shift gears using a seven-speed automatic controlled by steering wheel-mounted paddleshifters.
How much will this Vanquish and Conti GT-bashing bad boy cost?
Prices for the new S63 AMG coupe are expected to start at around £120,000 – rather good value compared to the less powerful £180k Aston Vanquish and Mercedes’ own SLS AMG.
Need more of everything? A heavier, faster, pricier V12 two-door – the S65 AMG coupe – will follow in due course, using its saloon sister’s 621bhp bi-turbo engine. Including ceramic brakes and even more brash styling tweaks, the two-door S65 will arrive later than the mid-2014 S63, and cost in excess of £160,000.