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Cars > AMG > 2009 Mercedes-Benz AMG S63

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2009 Mercedes-Benz AMG S63

The S63 is the lesser of Mercedes' two AMG-massaged S-Class sedans, though with a 518-horsepower, 6.3-liter V8, it's certainly no slouch. And with a hefty 456 lb-ft. of torque on tap and a AMG-modified seven-speed automatic, it's clearly a world-class performance sedan.

The S63's V8 is assembled by hand by AMG technicians and it's essentially the same unit that's featured in a few other AMG-badged Mercedes vehicles. Like the other AMG-badged cars, the S63 features a full bodykit and unique 20' wheels. A sport active suspension and interior styling touches complete the transformation from mere S-Class to fire-breather.

POWERFUL NEW AMG MODELS JOIN S-CLASS LINEUP

S-Class Gets More Power and Pizzazz With New S63 AMG and S65 AMG

MONTVALE , NJ – The Mercedes-Benz S-Class for 2008 features two exclusive new models from the company's high-performance division – the V8-powered S63 AMG and the 12-cylinder S65 AMG.  The latest in a long line of premium luxury sedans, the highly successful S-Class was launched for 2007 with the S550 model, powered by a 5.5-liter V8 engine delivering 382 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque; the S550 4MATIC, which features a totally redesigned all-wheel-drive system; and the V12-powered S600, fitted with a 12-cylinder engine that makes 510 hp and 612 lb.-ft. of torque.

AMG Racing Success Spawns High-Power Production Engine

The new S63 AMG features a 6.3-liter V8 that produces 518 horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. of torque.  One of the most powerful naturally aspirated production V8s ever, the high-rpm engine boasts a wealth of exciting features derived from AMG's highly successful racing efforts. Built almost completely from a high-strength silicon-aluminum alloy, the new engine features four valves per cylinder, variable valve timing, bucket-type cam followers (rather than rocker arms), and a variable intake manifold.  Designed exclusively by AMG, the engine shares no parts with other Mercedes-Benz V8 engines.
A first for a production engine, the cylinder bores feature a twin-wire-arc-sprayed (TWAS) coating, a new process that results in impressively low friction and running surfaces that are twice as hard as conventional cast-iron cylinders.

Exclusive AMG Styling, Inside and Out

The new S63 AMG can be identified by special body styling, alloy wheels, sports suspension and high-performance brake system – all designed by AMG specifically for this new model.  A muscular front bumper with large air intakes houses round fog lights ringed in chrome, and a “6.3 AMG” badge marks each front fender.  Contoured side skirts carry the aggressive lines of the front bumper to the rear, where an AMG rear apron emphasizes the width of the vehicle.  A pair of twin tailpipes completes the exclusive look and sound of the new models.
Inside the S63 AMG, drivers are greeted by an AMG sport steering wheel with distinctive aluminum shift paddles and AMG multi-contour leather sport seats finished in special piping.  Completing the interior package is an exclusive analog clock based on the design of the “IWC-Ingenieur” series in the center of the dashboard. 

Active Suspension and Powerful Brakes

The S63 AMG suspension and brake systems are designed for high-performance driving.  AMG makes good use of the Mercedes-Benz ABC active suspension, tuning it for even flatter cornering and less body movement when accelerating and braking.
A Sport-Comfort-Manual button on the center console allows the driver to choose between the three different transmission shift programs that also fine-tune accelerator pedal response and sport-suspension spring and shock absorber settings.
A new twin sliding caliper is used for the front brakes.  This new technology combines the performance of a large fixed caliper with the distinct advantages of a floating caliper – lower heat transfer to the brake fluid and better ride comfort.  Large composite brake discs also help ensure short stopping distances even during high-speed driving.
The S63 AMG sedan comes with 20-inch staggered-width AMG light alloy wheels, 8.5 inches wide in front and 9.5 inches at the rear, wearing low-profile 255/35 (front) and 275/35 (rear) tires.

V12 Power for the New-Generation S-Class

Turning to the V12-powered side of the S-Class family, the S600 marked the renaissance of the legendary 600-Class “Grand Mercedes.”  Fitted with greater levels of wood and leather trim, the S600 comes with virtually all S-Class options as standard equipment, including Distronic Plus with Park Assist, infrared Nightview Assist, Keyless Go, rear view monitor, ABC active suspension, 18-inch forged alloy wheels, four heated and multi-contour front and rear seats, four-zone climate control, and an integrated hands-free communication system with voice control. 

Twin-Turbo V12 Engine

Powered by a twin-turbo V12 engine that generates 510 horsepower and 612 lb.-ft. of torque, the S600 model blends the whisper-smooth performance of the flagship Mercedes-Benz four-door sedan with the amazing power of a twin-turbo V12 engine.  At the same time, the bi-turbo V12 comes clothed in luxury, convenience and refinement that define the market segment.
The 60-degree V12 engine provides effortless thrust with turbine-like smoothness, featuring a vast torque band with peak torque beginning as low as 1,800 rpm.  With the high-tech engine, Direct Select five-speed transmission and state-of-the art aerodynamics, the new S600 can reach 60 miles per hour in 4.5 seconds, quicker than many sports cars.  To handle the torque of the V12 engine, transmission planetary gear sets have been widened, and the input and output shafts adjusted accordingly.

AMG-Developed V12 Powers World's Most Powerful Four-Door

The S65 AMG brings even higher performance to the flagship Mercedes-Benz sedan.  The AMG       6.0-liter V12 makes 604 horsepower and an astonishing 738 lb.-ft. of torque, for 0-60 mph test track times of about 4.2 seconds, making it one of the world's quickest four-door sedan. 
 
AMG is the renowned high-performance division of Mercedes-Benz that combines its ingenuity and performance tuning expertise with the global technology resources and car-building expertise of Mercedes-Benz to take engine, braking and handling performance technology to the highest level.
AMG designers made subtle enhancements to the S65 AMG body while remaining true to the car's fundamental design.  First, an AMG front apron with large cooling air intakes and integral front clear-lens fog lamps gives the vehicle a distinctive appearance.  The dynamic side view of the S65 AMG is emphasized by AMG side skirts, which follow the line of the front apron, and by a chromed “V12 Biturbo” badge on each front fender.  The powerful lines of the AMG rear apron are finished off by two sets of AMG chrome twin tailpipes, and eye-catching 20-inch AMG light-alloy wheels complement the car's overall appearance.

Stopping Power to Match Go Power

To handle the high speed potential of the AMG twin-turbo engine, the front brakes of the S65 AMG are equipped with dual high-performance sliding calipers and compound brake rotors.  For the design of the AMG high-performance braking system, engineers drew on their extensive racing experience acquired through more than three decades of motorsports competition.  The internally ventilated and perforated front discs measure 15.4 inches in diameter and are fitted with dual-sliding fixed calipers.  The front brakes use two-piece rotors and hubs made from cast iron and aluminum.  Compared with conventional brake systems, this compound technology offers a weight saving of some 20 percent, while the brakes' increased capacity to handle thermal stress measurably increases durability.  The rear brakes use 14.4-inch internally ventilated and perforated discs with single-piston sliding calipers.
Staggered-width AMG twin-spoke wheels, 8.5 x 20 inches up front and 9.5 x 20 at the rear, carry high-performance tires – 255 / 35 ZR 20 in front and 275 / 35 ZR 20 at the rear.

ABC Active Suspension

Mercedes-Benz was the first automaker to develop active-suspension technology for production cars, and both 12-cylinder S-Class sedans, as well as the V8-powered S63 AMG, are equipped with ABC active suspension.  ABC reduces body roll in cornering, squat under acceleration, and dive during braking.
      
Mercedes-Benz engineers use its interplay of hydraulic, electronic and mechanical parts to reduce body roll by 68 percent, ensuring that the suspension still provides the driver with feedback through the vehicle chassis, and a switch on the console allows the driver to further reduce body roll by 95 percent.
Reworked ESP stability control and ASR traction control systems complement the enhanced chassis setup.  As on all Mercedes-Benz models, standard ABS anti-lock brakes help maintain directional stability when braking and turning, while Brake Assist can reduce braking distances in “panic” stops.

The Industry's First Adaptive Brake Lights

The S600 and S65 AMG models are equipped with adaptive brake lights that can flash rapidly during emergency braking, a feature that's expected to reduce rear collisions.  Another industry first from Mercedes, the rapidly flashing LED brake lights are triggered primarily by the car's Brake Assist system (standard on all Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles since 1998), which automatically provides full-power braking assist whenever it senses faster-than-usual brake pedal application. 
The adaptive brake lights can also be activated by the car's ESP stability control system (standard on all Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles since 1999) if it senses low-friction surfaces such as snow or ice.  The new adaptive brake light system turns on the hazard flashers automatically as soon as the vehicle stops, and the flashers shut off automatically when the vehicle accelerates to six miles per hour.

PRE-SAFE® Brake Can Automatically Apply Partial Emergency Braking

Standard equipment on the latest S-Class is yet another revolutionary Mercedes-Benz safety feature – PRE-SAFE® brake.  The company that invented SRS, the crumple zone, ABS anti-lock brakes, traction control and ESP stability control also launched PRE-SAFE on the S-Class sedan in 2002.  PRE-SAFE, in combination with the Distronic Plus system, now also comes with the ability to automatically apply partial braking in certain types of emergencies.

The revolutionary PRE-SAFE® system that made its debut in 2002 on the S-Class automatically tightens the front seat belts during those valuable seconds just before a possible impact, and the front passenger seat (and optional power rear seats) move to positions that can provide better protection.  If the system senses an impending rollover, the sunroof closes as well. 
On the latest S-Class, side windows also close to provide better support for the window curtain air bags, and special seat cushions can inflate to provide greater lateral support for occupants and to help the side air bags provide even better collision protection.

New Distronic Plus Helps in Stop-and-Go Traffic

The well-known Distronic cruise control feature that maintains a pre-set following distance behind the vehicle ahead is replaced by an optional “Distronic Plus” system.  Integrated with the latest PRE-SAFE, the latest radar-based system operates at nearly all speeds up to 125 mph and can be especially helpful in stop-and-go traffic. Newly developed short-range radar sweeps the first 33 yards in a fan-shaped 80-degree pattern, working in tandem with a narrower nine-degree beam of longer-range radar.
The two radar frequencies complement each other to cover a full range of more than 160 yards – more than 1½ football fields.  During approval of the new 24-gigahertz radar frequency, government agencies cited its potential to improve traffic safety, reduce injuries and ultimately save lives.

Radar-Based Park Assist

Distronic Plus also incorporates 24 GHz radar-based Park Assist.  This new option utilizes six radar sensors mounted behind the front and rear bumpers – eliminating the need for the visible “portholes” of the previous ultrasonic-based system.  The result is clean, integrated and invisible, with better range and sensitivity.

Brake Assist Now Teams Up With Distronic Plus


In the early 1990s, Mercedes-Benz engineers conducting simulator tests discovered that many drivers don't push the brake pedal hard enough in emergency braking, a discovery that led to the development of Brake Assist, standard equipment on all Mercedes-Benz vehicles since late 1990s.  Brake Assist has proven itself a million times, and tests show vehicles equipped with Brake Assist are involved in 26 percent fewer accidents!
On the latest S-Class, an enhanced version of the Mercedes-Benz Brake Assist system not only supplies appropriate braking assist in emergencies as soon as the driver applies the brake pedal, but also measures the distance to the vehicle ahead (thanks to Distronic Plus) and adjusts brake pressure if the driver doesn't brake hard enough.  While Brake Assist is only triggered by the driver's reaction on the brake pedal, Brake Assist Plus also considers the closing speed of the vehicle ahead based on radar signals from the Distronic Plus system.
In extensive tests conducted by Mercedes researchers using 300 drivers, the integrated system reduced rear collisions in heavy city traffic by 75 percent.  During testing, data recorders and video cameras documented more than 250,000 real-world miles covered by 200 drivers in the U.S. and Europe , while 100 drivers participated in months of intense testing on the DaimlerChrysler driving simulator in Berlin .

Infra-Red Night View Assist

Another innovative technology on the S-Class is optional Night View Assist, which can extend the driver's ability to see ahead to nearly 500 feet.  In contrast to passive systems that rely on thermal imaging, this active system bathes the road ahead with invisible infra-red light from two projector beams mounted in the headlights.  An infra-red camera discreetly mounted in the windshield receives the reflected images and displays them in a high-resolution display in the instrument cluster.  The result is akin to a highly detailed black & white video image. 
A dash slot accepts a PCMCIA card, which never needs to be charged, and some versions can hold up to 1500 digital songs.  Its data be displayed on the screen of the COMAND system, and titles can be selected through the multifunction steering wheel controls.

2009 Mercedes-Benz AMG S63

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