Big Mercs clean up their act

Mercedes has unveiled the facelifted S-Class AMG models, bringing its range-topping saloons in line with the rest of the pack. The pair represents the very pinnacle of Mercedes' luxury and performance know-how, bundled together into one very commanding and hugely expensive four-door package.

When Mercedes facelifted the S-Class range recently it kept exterior changes to a minimum, but tweaked the mechanicals and added a couple of notable safety features as standard. The AMG versions are no different. Two engines are available: a high revving 6.2-litre V8 with 518bhp and 464lb.ft of torque for the S 63, and a 6.0-litre bi-turbo V12 with 604bhp and a mighty 738lb.ft for the S 65. Both are limited to 155mph, and while the S 63 can be had in both standard and long wheelbase 'limousine' spec, the S 65 is a limousine only.

The engines themselves are unchanged, but tweaks to the transmission, aerodynamics and tyres mean that fuel consumption is improved by a claimed three percent - though 19.5mpg combined is hardly planet-friendly, is it? The S 63 emits 344g/km of CO₂ and the V12 S 65 346g/km. Suffice to say Alistair Darling would not approve. (Or he might, thanks to all the VED owners will be throwing his way.)

Exterior changes include a new and unique-to-AMG chromed grille, new wing mirrors, AMG-specific LED daytime running lights, a new front apron with a painted section for the splitter and 19-inch AMG light alloys. And like the rest of the range, the AMG variants now benefit from standard safety innovations including Attention Assist to prevent you dozing off (if it were needed), Night View Assist (which illuminates moving objects at night via infrared) and Distronic Plus, which uses radar sensors to detect objects around the car.

The updated AMGs are available now and cost negligibly more than the pre-facelift model, with a 'basic' S 63 a shade over £96k and the long wheelbase S 65 £148,000.

Mark Nichol