Frankfurt Motor Show: Mercedes-AMG S63 and AMG S65 updated

The Mercedes-AMG S63 and AMG S65 have been updated inside, outside, and under the bonnet ahead of the Frankfurt Motor Show.

In both coupe and cabriolet styles, the AMG S63 loses its 5.5-litre V8 in favour of a 4.0-litre version, which actually puts out more power.

Where the old 5.5-litre twin turbo donk was worth 430kW, the new 4.0-litre biturbo can summon 450kW as the E63 does, though the S-Class gets an extra 50Nm of torque for a total of 900Nm.

In the S65, the 6.0-litre V12 remains, still churning through 463kW and a whopping 1000Nm.

Despite the extra stonk and twist, the rear-drive ’65 won’t keep up with the all-paw S63, which features M-B’s 4MATIC+ AWD and will reach 100km/h in a claimed 3.5s to the S65’s 4.1.

However, for right-hook units, the S63 is rear-drive only. Drift junkies, fear not.

They’re both weighty beasts, however, with the S63 Coupe tipping the scales at 2005kg, the cabrio at 2110kg (which is the same at the S65 Coupe), while the S65 Cabriolet weighs 2180kg.

The feature AMG seems most keen to spruik for these updated models is not so much the performance changes, but rather the new Panamerica grille, which Mercedes-Benz and AMG will roll out onto almost ever model with an M-B badge.

CEO of Mercedes-AMG Tobias Moers says the changes are similar to those which were undertaken for the S-Class sedans.

"Having already undertaken major development work on our S-Class Saloon to further enhance driving performance and individuality, we are now making the same changes to the S 63 4MATIC+ Coupé and Cabriolet,” says Moers.

In addition, during the first six months after launch, Mercedes will offer a Yellow Night Edition of the S 63 Coupé.

It’s a ‘visual flair’ pack that adds yellow trim strip on the exterior mirror housings, as well as yellow-painted brake callipers and an aero package with an enlarged front splitter and a spoiler lip in high-gloss black (or in carbon-fibre with Carbon Fibre package).