If the Mercedes-AMG GT R is a shot of tequila downed to pounding club music, the S 63 Coupé is a single malt that’s best enjoyed to smooth jazz.
This revised-for-2018 S 63 Coupé is the recipient of a slew of updates, most notably its new engine — a 4.0-litre, twin-turbo V8 that also powers the C 63 S, E 63 S and GTs in differing states of tune. On the S 63, this engine puts out a mighty 621hp — 36hp up on the larger engine. All that power goes solely to the rear wheels via a new nine-speed automatic gearbox.
Interestingly, right-hand-drive S 63s didn’t make the transition to all-wheel-drive like their left-hand-drive siblings have, which explains why the Indian S 63’s launch-control-enabled 0-100kph time of 4.2sec is a substantial 0.7sec off the German S 63’s time.
The numbers cease to matter away from the drag strip, though, because the way the S 63 pulls is nothing short of mind-boggling for what is a two-tonne-plus luxury liner. Performance is so accessible that you are almost always going faster than you think you are. And while the engine does make the right noises when prodded, it’s not typical AMG-loud or brash. What you do get is a full-bodied exhaust note that can be dialled up in volume.
Driving modes help dictate how AMG you want your S 63 to feel, and there’s also an individual setting for detailed adjustments. Negatives? There aren’t many. However, the gearbox can feel a bit jerky in engagement in a low-speed environment, and also in the higher gears on all-out acceleration runs.
Going the distance
There’s a smoothness to the steering and the car is agile for its size, but a track tool it is not. Long, winding corners are more its thing than quick tight ones. At its very core, the S 63 is a grand tourer that’s designed to gobble up speed on de-restricted sections of the Autobahn.
It’s in places like these that the S 63 feels incredibly well tied down, with its freight-train good straightline stability being a highlight.
The air suspension’s setup is more S-class than AMG, thankfully, and high-speed ride remains flat in all modes. Mercedes has also equipped the updated S 63 for India with camera- and radar-based driver aids. There’s adaptive cruise control and also Active Steering Assist that will steer the car for you on gentle bends, so long as you have your hands on the wheel. A handy option is Night View Assist that uses infrared and thermal imaging to highlight dangers hidden in the dark of the night, by means of an image on the instrument binnacle.
Coupé d’grace
There’s an undeniable elegance about the S 63 Coupe’s form — the long bonnet and stretched back tail are classic luxury coupé — and the small revisions on the updated model make it even more of a looker.
You can tell this S 63 apart from the old one by AMG’s new vertically-slatted ‘Panamericana’ grille, the restyled front bumper with larger vents, as well as by the bright OLEDs (organic light emitting diode) on the tail-lights. The way the 33 OLEDs on each side light up in sequence on locking/unlocking the car is a sight in its own right. As ever, the exterior is customisable and this includes the 20-inch rims which are offered in a range of designs.
There’s a lot you can do to the S 63’s cabin as well. There’s a choice of colours for the nappa leather upholstery, carbon-fibre detailing is available for a racier look, and should the 13-speaker standard Burmester sound system seem inadequate, you can opt for a 25-speaker unit. The options card also includes a panoramic glass roof that can go from opaque to transparent at the touch of a button. Just superb.
Updates to the screen interface (it’s still not a touchscreen) have made it that little bit crisper, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are welcome additions, and there’s also the option of three themes for the instruments display. Slightly gimmicky is the Energizing Comfort Control — a ‘mood enhancer’ with a tailor-made seat massage, climate control, fragrance, ambient lighting and audio programmes.
Front seat comfort is brilliant, with all manner of adjustments, ventilation and massage functions, while the ones at the back offer adequate space and comfort for adults, if only for short distances. This is not the S-class to consider if rear seat comfort is a priority.
Indulge yourself
The stratospheric asking price means it remains out of reach of mere mortals but, its closest alternative, the Bentley Continental GT, starts at ₹3.6 crore (ex-showroom). Cars of this sort are indulgences, enjoyed best in the driver’s seat, with some jazz.
- power: 612 bhp@5500-6000 rpm
- Fuel tank capacity: 80 L
- Curb weight: 2,080 kg
- Engine: 4.0 L V8
