S 65 AMG (Germany, 2014)

The S65 AMG offers a 6.0-liter V12 biturbo engine with 621hp (630ps) and 738lb-ft (1,000Nm) of torque that meets EU6 emissions standards. It also has an AMG-tuned version of Mercedes’ Magic Body Control suspension that scans the road ahead with a camera to adapt the ride to the conditions before the car gets there.

The massive engine has enough power to get the S65 to 100km/h in 4.3 seconds and emits 279g/km of CO2 and use 11.9l/100km of fuel. The top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h. It also comes with start/stop.

The only available transmission is AMG’s Speedshift Plus 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic to replace the five-speed in the previous generation.

Variable ratio electromechanical steering is also standard, and works with the suspension to tune the car’s handling. When the suspension is in “Comfort” mode, the steering offers more assistance. In “Sport” mode, the steering becomes heavier and more direct.

The S65 AMG and S63 AMG are the first production cars in the world to come standard with a lithium-ion battery. It saves over 20kg alone and is less sensitive to cold temperatures as conventional batteries. Porsche offers a Li-ion in the 911 but only as an option.

On the outside, there is nothing about the car that screams that it is packing so much power unless you look carefully as the “V12 Biturbo” and “AMG” badges. It does come standard with forged AMG 20in wheels that are 8.5in wide in the front and 9.5in wide in the rear.

The interior is covered in diamond-patterned nappa leather with sports seats in the front. The Exclusive package adds more nappa leather to the headliner, dashboard and door panels. The instruments come directly from the current S-Class with the only changes being a 360km/h speedometer and added instruments for engine oil temperature and transmission oil temperature. It also gets a standard head-up display, and a touchpad to control the radio, telephone and navigation system.