2019 Mercedes-AMG S63 Coupe Review
Car Tested: 2019 Mercedes-AMG S63 Coupe; Road Test No. 1123; Test Location: Mumbai
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 2,88,17,404/-
The S63 Coupe combines the power of the AMG GT and the opulence of the S-Class
The world’s oldest car manufacturer has produced some of the greatest cars of all time. One of them is undoubtedly the S-Class. The saloon is famous for being titled as the best car in the world and its coupe and convertible counterparts provide supreme comfort with sexy styling and some credibility on the driving front. Mercedes-AMG has introduced the facelifted version of the S63 Coupe and we are going to see if the changes are skin deep.
Motor Quest: Mercedes-Benz introduced the S-Class in 1972 and all its generations have had the coupe and convertible versions. The last generation coupe was named CL but for the current model, Mercedes decided to go with the S-Class tag. The Grand Tourer is available in India since 2016 in the performance spec 63-AMG form receiving an update late last year.
The S63’s elegant design has a dash of sportiness
Exteriors – The S-Class coupe looks stunning and there are no two ways about it. It looks exceedingly elegant and gentleman-like in the standard form and only adds a sufficient dash of sportiness in the AMG form. The front has the signature ‘Panamericana’ grille, sculpted bumpers and intricately designed headlights. The headlights are also encrusted in Swarovski crystals! The long bonnet gives the car a traditional coupe silhouette and the proportion adds to the character of this GT.
These tail lights are OLED units
The long bonnet and the sloping roofline give the S63 a breathtaking stance
The rear gets a new pair of tail lights with a chequered pattern in them. There are changes to the bumpers and the exhaust tips look nice. However, the design does not look too different compared to smaller and less expensive Mercedes two-doors like the C-Class cabriolet. We would have liked more distinction. What buyers will love is the fact that there are a variety of colours, rim options and add-ons to make the exterior even swankier.
The red interior gives this Mercedes that added oomph
Interiors – This is S-Class that we are talking about, so there is a certain degree of luxury that you expect. The cabin of the S63 surpasses the high expectations. The interior is simply spectacular, especially in this red trim that we have. It oozes luxury and the quality of finish and materials is all but faultless. The simple yet tech-savvy layout just makes it more special
One can toggle the panoramic sunroof from transparent to opaque
The S63 comes with the finest quality of materials with crazy attention to detail
Equipment levels are very good indeed. You get stuff like a premium Burmester sound system, a variety of seat adjustments with massage function, night vision, ambient lighting to name a few. We love the panoramic sunroof that goes from transparent to opaque with a touch of a button. The front seats not only look sexy but are extremely comfortable to sit in. The massage options on offer are to be experienced to be believed! The space up front is generous. There is a dual-screen display which looks perfect with the times but the infotainment screen is not touch-operated and the interface still lacks the fluidity of the BMW’s iDrive.
Without the spare tyre, the boot has a decent amount of space
The rear seats are surprisingly accommodative for reasonable distances. Of course, some compromises have to be made. But the sheer level of detailing and comfort offered at the back will not leave the rear occupants wanting for more. Like the exterior, you can customise the interior in a variety of ways. It is not to the standards of Rolls Royce, but aplenty to make you spoilt for choice.
Like the exterior, the cabin also gives out a sporty and luxurious vibe
While the front seats are extremely comfortable, the rear seats are only suitable for short distances
The AMG steering wheel and the carbon fibre finish make the cabin look sporty. However, the sporty feeling always precedes the feeling of luxury in the S63. We actually prefer it this way as this is a car that is designed for crushing miles and not corners. The level of detail, the standard of perfection and the degree of comfort make it one of the best car interiors we have ever been in.
Dump the accelerator and this Mercedes will spin instantly
Performance – The Mercedes-AMG S63 is powered by the same 4.0-litre bi-turbo engine that does duty on the C63, E63, G63 and the AMG GTs but has the highest state of tune at 612 HP and 900 Nm (the 4-door AMG GT is more powerful at 630 HP but isn’t sold in India). As expected, acceleration is immediate with no turbo lag so to speak and great drivability too, the engine shutting four of its cylinders when you go easy on the throttle. However, while Mercedes chose to equip left-hand drive S63s with all-wheel drive, the right-hand-drive version is only available in rear-wheel drive, making is 0.7 seconds slower to the ton, taking 4.2 seconds. The motor is terrifically refined and pulls strongly all the way till 7000 RPM, sounding sporty from the mid-range.
The 9-speed gearbox delivers quick shifts
The Twin-Turbo V8 motor takes 4.2 seconds to take this beast from 0-100 km/hr
There are 5 drive modes which alter the engine, transmission, suspension, ESP and exhaust note, it has active exhausts which make the car crack and pop under downshifts. The drive modes are Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Race and a configurable Individual giving full manual control on the 9-speed automatic gearbox which will not upshift until and unless you decide to do so. Shifts are fast for both up and down gears but a bit jerky when you are heavy on the throttle. The car gets a launch control mode but whenever you try to get hard on the throttle, traction control intervenes as there is just too much torque for the rear wheels to handle. Fuel economy is between 2.5 – 5 km/l, depending on the driving style.
The S63 has an involving driving experience
Driving Dynamics – The Mercedes-AMG S63 is a heavy car, it weighs 2080 kgs but that weight can’t be felt as the balance of the car is very good. It’s not agile but still maintains its line well over long sweeping corners, the steering offering great feel and feedback too. The wide tyres have grip as long as you don’t go hard on the A pedal but once you do, they scramble for traction and the ESP kicks in and can be turned to ESP Sport which gives more leeway before cutting the power. ESP can be shut completely too but that’s like activating drift mode, there is just no traction, especially in the wet. That said, Mercedes has done a great job with the electronics as they work very well, right from the ESP to the adaptive cruise control and steering assist, the latter two use radar tech to ensure you stay in your lane and a good distance away from others by applying brakes automatically.
Ride quality is decent with impressive brakes
Feedback rich steering along with incredible high speed stability make the S63 Coupe very fun to drive
Mercedes has opted for real low profile tyres but the ride is quite good nonetheless, yes it’s stiff but still absorbent enough to not throw you around, the car remaining glued to the road at higher speeds. Cabin insulation is also fab and you can’t really feel the speeds in this car due to the stability and low NVH. The dampers stiffen up in Sport and Race modes and one can manually choose between three settings of the AMG Ride Control – Comfort, Sport and Sport+. Stopping power on the S63 is terrific with good feedback on the brake pedal.
The S63 is loaded with a plethora of safety technologies
Safety – The S63 AMG comes with a myriad of safety features like an advanced traction control system and other electric aids to keep you safe in case you get carried away by all the power on tap. As mentioned earlier, it is also equipped with a Night Vision system that improves frontal visibility and helps to detect pedestrians in dark areas. The multiple airbags and incredible build quality means it is a very safe GT.
The S63 Coupe is a luxurious grand touring monster
Verdict – The S63 AMG is a master of all trades. It is a car that effortlessly combines speed and comfort to give you the very best of both worlds. It looks sexy, it’s got stunning interiors, superb engines and impeccable long-distance comfort. It will turn heads at a country club, take you comfortably across states and yet be pretty potent should you decide to have fun with it. We are amazed at the engineering excellence that Mercedes-AMG has achieved with the S63 coupe. Sure at over Rs. 3 crores (on-road Mumbai), this is no bargain but its close rivals like the Bentley Continental GT and Aston Martin DB11 are far pricier. For the money, you get a car that perfectly embodies Mercedes’ tagline of being the best or nothing and sets a benchmark for others to follow.
This engine also powers the C63, E63, G63 and the AMG GT
What’s Cool
* Stupendous looks and road presence
* Luxurious interior with high levels of customizations
* Torquey motor with refined performance
* Loaded with safety tech
What’s Not So Cool
* Rear seats can only be used for short distances
Alternatives: – Bentley Continental GT, Aston Martin DB11, Maserati Gran Turismo
These headlights come with Swarovski crystals
2019 Mercedes-AMG S63 Coupe Specifications
* Engine: 3982cc, V8, Twin-Turbo, Petrol
* Power: 612 HP @ 5500-6000 RPM
* Torque: 900 Nm @ 2750-4500 RPM
* Transmission: 9-Speed AT
* 0-100 km/hr: 4.2 seconds
* Top Speed: 300 km/hr
* Fuel Consumption: 3-5 km/l
* Fuel Type: Petrol
* Tyre Size: 255/40/20 (Front), 285/35/20 (Rear)
* Suspension: Airmatic (Front & Rear)
* Brakes: Disc (Front & Rear)
* Safety: 9 Airbags, ABS with EBD, ESP, Night Vision
2019 Mercedes-AMG S63 Coupe Dimensions
* Overall length x width x height: 5462 mm X 2108 mm X 1412 mm
* Wheelbase: 3165 mm
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 70-litres
* Kerb Weight: 2545 kgs
Frameless doors are just the icing on the cake
Further Reading –
2015 Mercedes S63 AMG Coupe Review
2018 Mercedes S-Class Review
Mercedes-Maybach S650 Review
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