LA Motor Show: Huge numbers define new Mercedes S 65 AMG

TWELVE cylinders, two turbochargers, 5,980 cubic centimetres, 621bhp and 738lb.ft of torque are numbers designed to catch the eye.

These are the figures boasted by the new Mercedes-Benz S 65 AMG, which has made its motor show debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

The stats are good enough to endow the standard-bearing saloon with epic performance, including a 0-62mph time of just 4.3 seconds.

Top speed is limited to 155mph, but without it the car could blast on to somewhere in the region of 200mph.

Effortless acceleration is always on hand from the huge, relatively under-stressed engine thanks to peak torque being available all the way from 2,300rpm to 4,300rpm, with peak power constant between 4,800rpm and 5,400rpm.

Mercedes is keen to hang on to its 12-cylinder flagship for as long as possible, keenly reminding the LA Show audience that this is the only 12-pot car that’s currently made by any German manufacturer.

Fuel consumption is a mere 23.7mpg, which although very low compared to smaller cars, is actually very impressive given the huge performance on tap and the sheer size of both the engine and the car it powers.

The engine is marked out by an aluminium and carbon fibre cover, exclusive to this model.

Additionally, the S 65 AMG will only be available in long-wheelbase trim, like its sibling the V8-powered S 63 AMG.

An incredible standard equipment list includes, among many other ultra-advanced technologies, Mercedes’ Magic Body Control suspension, which uses cameras to ‘read’ the road ahead for bumps and surface changes, altering the suspension settings for individual wheels on the fly to better cope with imperfections.

UK prices have yet to be confirmed but will be significantly higher than the S 63’s near-£120,000 figure.

By Press Association reporter