Mercedes S63 AMG arrives – but the UK won’t get the most appealing option

The 2014 Mercedes S63 AMG (pictured) revealed

We did think Mercedes would get more mileage out of their tease for the 2014 S 63 AMG, but this morning they’ve revealed the fastest version of the new S Class so far – the new Mercedes S 63 AMG.

The S63 AMG is exactly what you’d expect the new S Class AMG would be. It comes with the usual array of AMG cosmetic tweaks including a big, butch front bumper, bigger sills, AMG alloys and ‘Biturbo’ badges on the wings to shout its intent.

Under the bonnet is the familiar 5.5 litre V8 Biturbo which now delivers 577bhp in standard spec, and it looks like that is going to be the maximum Mercedes will be offering for the S63 – there’s no sign of a ‘Performance Package’ to add extra horses.

Sadly, it also seems that the UK gets the thin end of the wedge with the new S63 with just the LWB model on offer and, as we’ve got used to with the Germans, no chance to add the 4WD option to the new S63.

In LHD markets there’s a choice of standard wheelbase as well as long wheelbase but, more importnatly, the option of a 4Matic S63 which gets its power down much better and cuts the S63′s 0-62mph from 4.4 seconds to just 4 seconds. But Mercedes don’t want to spend the money to make the 4WD platform work in RHD markets so we don’t get the pick of the bunch.

Still, the LWB, RWD S63 is still an impressive performer with 0-62mph in 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 155mph (unless you opt for the drivers package when it gets raised to 186mph). Official economy is sensible, despite the increase in size and power, with a weight reduction of around 100kg over the old S63 helping achieve an official figure of 27.9mpg and emissions of 237g/km.

The suspension on the S63 has had a bit of a makeover from the standard S-Class with conventional steel springs and new adaptive damping system which works to constantly adjust the dampers for best effect whether in Sport or Comfort Modes.

The new Mercedes S63 will debut at Frankfurt in September and hit the UK at the end of 2013, and is likely to cost in the region of £120,000. But by the time you start digging in to the extensive options list – which now includes ceramic brakes – you could spend substantially more.

By Cars UK