Description
Unveiled just a few months after the fifth-generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class went official, the S 63 AMG (W221) represented a paradigm shift for the German premium carmaker. The traditional '55 AMG' nameplate was replaced by the '63 AMG,' mainly to symbolize a connection to the legendary 300 SEL 6.3 (W109), the world's first super sedan.
While the 300 SEL 6.3 was named like this because it had a 6.3-liter (6,332 cc) V8 engine, some people frowned at the forced connection brought by the first S 63 AMG's naming scheme since its V8 'only' had a 6.2-liter (6,208 cc) displacement. That said, everyone quickly forgot the displacement inconsistency after experiencing what the naturally aspirated M156 engine brought to the table in every AMG model it was placed in.
Regarding performance and, most of all, its exhaust soundtrack, the S 63 AMG (W221) was a relevant successor to the 300 SEL 6.3 and literally changed the game in its segment. Designed by the same person who oversaw the Porsche Carrera GT's 5.7-liter V10 engine, the M156 powertrain was AMG's first V8 designed completely autonomously, as previous AMG engines had always been based on original Mercedes designs.
The high displacement brought a huge amount of torque but had a relatively high rpm limit, with the 525 PS (518 hp) in the S 63 AMG (W221) being achieved at 6,800 rpm. The 630 Nm (465 lb-ft) of torque was achieved at 5,200 rpm, making for a perfect combination between a racing engine and a road car application of said powertrain.
Despite weighing a hefty 2,070 kg (4564 lbs), the first-ever S 63 AMG could accelerate from 0 to 100 kph (62 mph) in just 4.6 seconds. Those numbers were mighty impressive for a sports sedan of the early 2000s, especially since all that oomph was sent exclusively to the rear wheels thanks to an AMG-modified 7-speed automatic transmission.
The W221 was heavier and much larger than its predecessor, and its design language reflected that, although the AMG body kit did its fair share of adding a touch of aggression in accordance with the V8 monster hiding underneath the hood. The visual AMG upgrade included restyled front and rear bumpers, larger light alloy wheels, and four exhaust pipes.
The extra performance also required an improved braking system, wider sports tires (255/40 R19 tires at the front and 275/40 R19 tires at the rear), and a reprogrammed air suspension for better handling. That said, the S 63 AMG (W221) was definitely not a track model but more like a luxurious Autobahn stormer, where it could leave a lot of thoroughbred sports cars behind while treating its passengers to total comfort.
As with other S-Class models, safety and comfort were paramount, and the W221 introduced a raft of improved and new features and systems. The standard Comand infotainment system controlled more of these features and provided access to additional settings for various functions, including some specific to AMG models, like driving modes.
