Multi-Talented

The 2018 S-Class S560, S63 and S65 Coupe and Cabriolet
are perfect for a day at the beach or a night on the town

Article: Gary Anderson

Images: MBUSA Media

Developing an aspirational automobile that is meant not only to transport passengers to high-fashion restaurants and resorts, but also to excite and entertain a skilled driver on twisting coastal back roads, is a welcome challenge to designers and engineers.

With that customer in mind, Mercedes-Benz has found an exclusive niche market. Two-door versions of its top-of-the-line S-Class vehicles are perfect for influential individuals who spend much of the year in locations like Malibu, Miami, Monte Carlo and Dubai and expect the absolute finest in their preferred mode of personal transportation.

We recently drove the 2018 updates of the S-Class coupes and cabriolets on the roads between Beverly Hills, Santa Barbara and Malibu. We were exhilarated and impressed by how well the developers succeeded at their task.

Designing the dream

Arrayed for our review were S-Class Coupes and Cabriolets in each of the three engine variants: The S560 with 4-liter biturbo V-8 producing a satisfying 463 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, the S63 AMG with hand-built 4-liter biturbo V-8 producing an impressive 603 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque, and the S65 AMG with hand-built 12-cylinder engine producing a mind-bending 621 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque.

Dr. Hermann-Joseph Storp, the chief engineer for the S-Class line and almost a living legend at Mercedes-Benz Cars because of his extraordinary engineering proficiency combined with a markedly poetic approach to his job, described the way he sees his task.

“A luxury automobile should have a distinct character, a specific feeling,” he said. “With the S-Class coupe and cabriolet, I wanted that character to combine luxury and performance.

“For example, the car should be comfortable, with isolation from any harshness and unpleasant noise, but should still have a pleasing performance sound. But each model should have its own distinctive character, so I worked with the engine designers to achieve a specific sound that would suit the driver of that particular car.”

The driving experience

With temps in the mid-60s and the sky a patchwork of clouds, we knew that our first drive had to be a cabriolet. When we saw the S65 AMG across the circular driveway in front of the new Waldorf-Astoria Beverly Hills with its top already down, we knew we would be starting from the very top of the stack. 

Because of the mind-blowing 738 pound-feet of torque, it is rear-wheel drive only, with a 7G-Tronic AMG Speedshift Plus transmission. The engine fired up with a combination of the almost-trademark AMG bark, then settled into the ultra-smooth rhythm only available in a 12-cylinder car.

With the Distronic Plus active cruise control set at the speed limit and the improved Active Steering Assist with GPS curve mapping enabled, we were just one step away from chauffeur-driven limousine comfort. On the freeways, the car took over the driving, adjusting to the road direction and traffic speed,  asking us only to keep our hands lightly resting on the steering wheel.

The active suspension with hydraulic-plunger shock absorbers, standard on the S65, not only reduced tilt on corners but also smoothed out bumps and potholes.

But on the last part of the drive, down Topanga Canyon from U.S. 101 to the Pacific Coast Highway, this car showed off what the awesome torque and active suspension could really do. Yes, the car weighs nearly 1,300 pounds more than the GT S we drove recently in Arizona, but it took very little more effort in this luxurious four-passenger cabriolet to carve the curves at a breath-taking pace.

According to the specs, the S65 is actually a tick slower than the less expensive S63 AMG 4Matic. However, the incomparable sound, and the sensation of the suspension taking care of any imperfections in either road surface or driver skill would help to justify the cost differential of a more powerful traditional rear-drive V-12.

On the Pacific Coast Highway up to Santa Barbara late in the afternoon, as the sun set over the ocean, we opted for an S63 AMG Coupe. The new 4-liter turbo-charged V-8 engine offered a more muted, but still estimable exhaust growl. With its 4Matic electronically controlling front-to-rear distribution of the 664 pound-feet of torque, coupled through a 9G-Tronic multi-clutch transmission, and AMG Ride Control+ with Active Damping Adjustment – a mouthful, to be sure – we were very impressed with the car’s handling.

We think this power train is a perfect match for the look and feel of this personal luxury car. It just feels like more of a driver’s car, capable of keeping an enthusiastic novice out of trouble, but ready to reward the competent driver with fantastic feedback on a curvy road or a closed road course.

Heading back toward Los Angeles early the next morning, in spite of a chill off the ocean, we took the keyfob to an S560 Cabriolet. With the heated seats on, windows up, and front and rear wind deflectors deployed, we were not only perfectly comfortable with the top down, but could carry on a conversation without shouting, even in morning Pacific Coast Highway traffic. We did put up the top at one of the first stoplights in Ventura; with the redesigned three-layer soft-top in place, the cabriolet was as comfortable and quiet as the coupe.

After the experience of the two AMG versions, we wondered if the S560 would feel like a step down. Instead, we think that the owner who calculates costs and benefits in monetary terms, rather than in status and impressions, will find this relatively benign model to be a very good choice. With a still-impressive torque of more than 500 pound-feet, and with all the features available on the S63 and S65, it may not provide the same power or speed bragging rights as the AMGs but there’s no question it will provide great driving satisfaction to its owner and luxurious comfort to passengers.

Pleasing, impressive styling

Designers have subtly refreshed the sporty exterior styling of the current S-Class Coupe and Cabriolet. To ensure there’s no confusion at the valet stand, the S560 has the traditional Mercedes-Benz star held in place by strakes across the diamond-patterned sport grille. Move up to the S63 and, as on the GTs, the face harks back to the Panamericana cars of the 1950s, with vertical bars and the star set in the oval grille. And for those who accept nothing but the very best, the S65 also has bright chrome accents on the intake ducts and side moldings to distinguish it from the V-8s.

A new tail-lamp technology – organic light-emitting diodes (OLED) consisting of inch-square wafer-thin pieces of light-emitting material that form a fish-scale-like lighting surface – is used on all three models. With each individual wafer capable of producing white, yellow and red light at several levels of intensity, the taillights can produce patterns that conveyed information in a manner guaranteed to catch the eye of pedestrians and rear traffic.

But as understated as the exterior is, the interior might be termed almost baroque, in the sense that exaggerated curves and careful detailing produce drama, grandeur and exuberance. The new double-screen driver gauges and infotainment display system may be the only flat surface in the entire interior. The remainder of the dashboard and door treatments is a symphony of concave and convex curves clothed in the best of textured wood, satin chrome and beautifully sewn leathers.

While the knobs and touch-surface pommel on the console that control the infotainment system and drive dynamics are unchanged from the previous S-Class models, the steering wheel design and controls have changed significantly. Now the cruise control and entertainment controls are mounted on the spokes with tiny touch pads controlling the display screens. Because these controls and the screen information take a bit of practice to master, owners seasoned by interacting with Siri and Alexa will likely use voice commands for most interaction.

An upscale improvement in-seat massage has been added to the S-Class to take the edge off that long boring drive from Palm Springs to Phoenix. Select one of five relaxation modes or three exercise modes and the car responds with suitable ambient lighting, aroma, music and narrative to suit 10-minute driver and/or passenger seat-massage sequences.

The bottom line

After two days of driving each of the three powertrains in both body styles, we came away with one overall impression. As Dr. Storp emphasized, the 2018 S-Class in its two-door personal format has a distinctive character that provides a satisfying feeling of traditional luxury and modern technology. Any version should admirably suit the driving enthusiast with occasional passengers to convey, who expects nothing but the very best in automotive transportation.

Should you be in the market, deliveries will begin this summer. Prices, which have yet to announced, are expected to closely track the 2017 models, ranging from $125,000 to $250,000, depending on power train and options.

Just before The Star went to press, several of the marvelous scenic areas of Southern California through which we drove were overtaken by wildfires, exacerbated by lack of rain and fierce Santa Ana winds. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to all those who have suffered unprecedented loss during these tragic events.

SPECIFICATIONS

2018 Mercedes-Benz S560

TYPE: Two-door, four-passenger Coupe or Cabriolet

DRIVE: 4Matic all-wheel drive  ENGINE: 3,982cc biturbo V-8

HORSEPOWER: 463 at 5,250-5,500 rpm  TORQUE: 516 lb-ft at 2,000-4,000 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 9G-Tronic automatic

WHEELBASE: 115.9 in  LENGTH: 198.1 in   WIDTH: 74.8 in  HEIGHT: 55.6 in

PERFORMANCE: Zero-60 mph 4.5 sec  TOP SPEED: 130 mph (electronically limited)

2018 Mercedes-Benz S63

TYPE: Two-door, four-passenger Coupe or Cabriolet

DRIVE: AMG Performance 4Matic all-wheel drive with fully variable F/R torque split

  ENGINE: 3,982cc AMG-built biturbo V-8

HORSEPOWER: 603 at 5,500-6,000 rpm  TORQUE: 664 lb-ft at 2,750-4,500 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 9-speed AMG Speedshift MCT automatic

WHEELBASE:  115.9 in LENGTH: 198.9 in  WIDTH: 75.3 in HEIGHT: 55.6 in

PERFORMANCE: Zero-60 mph 3.4 sec  TOP SPEED: 186 mph (electronically limited)

2018 Mercedes-Benz S65

TYPE: Two-door, four-passenger Coupe or Cabriolet

DRIVE: Rear-wheel drive  ENGINE: 5,980cc AMG-built biturbo V-12

HORSEPOWER: 621 at 4,800-5,400 rpm

  TORQUE: 738 lb-ft at 2,300-4,300 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 7G-Tronic AMG Speedshift Plus

WHEELBASE:  115.9 in LENGTH: 198.9 in  WIDTH: 75.3 in HEIGHT: 56.2 in

PERFORMANCE: Zero-60 mph 4.0 sec  TOP SPEED: 186 mph (electronically limited)