Mercedes S65 AMG W220

The first of the '65 range, the S65 AMG, is also the last of the big supercharged-V12 four-door Mercedes 'supercars' to make it to this site. Although laziness on my part may have been a decisive factor in this, it does coincide nicely with the S65's 2005 introduction to North American shores. Even though it really will only be sticking around until an updated S-Class arrives sometime in 2006, this ultra-potent S will make its mark.Power here is not a problem. Put the words 'AMG,' 'V12,' 'supercharger' and 'bigger displacement' together and you get a very funny-looking sentence. Get some real AMG engineers to tool around with Mercedes' V12s and you get 604 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque. Simply for reference purposes, the power output is in the same league as the 90s top gun McLaren F1, while the torque is somewhere deep in Cummins diesel territory. It's safe to say this will be fast.100 km/h arrives in four and a half seconds on a bad day and the quarter presumably in a few seconds more (S-Class drivers don't take their cars to the drag strip, dontcha know?). The 155mph limited top speed just doesn't do this car justice, although the speedo is calibrated up to 225 to tease you. A good-old five-speed automatic transaxle moves the mountain of torque to the rear end. Outside, some AMG side skirts, an AMG front apron with a larger intake and fog lights, two pairs of AMG tailpipes, a set of light-alloy wheels and a couple of "V12 Biturbo" badges on the fenders provide the necessary snob appeal. As on all expensive Mercedes-Benz models, the S65 AMG also comes with stability control, traction control, Brake Assist, ABS and the ABC suspension with firmer struts and damping. You'll have to break the piggy-bank for 196,360 Euros to get one, so start saving now. Get yours before the cartels do! - by Traian Popescu

See more: Mercedes S65 AMG W220 Photos, Mercedes S65 AMG W220 Technical Data