While we are just now getting the first drives for the S 550, here is the pre-production ride on the true V8 star of the lineup, the S 63 AMG.
Mostly what was expected BUT Interesting for me: (1) power has gone up 40hp to 577 and there is no mention of it being a Performance Package; torque is 664, though, which hints at this being about as high as the engine will be tuned to go; (2) weight has been reduced by 100kg, (3) variable rate steering, (4) two distinct chassis settings and (5) Mercedes is putting 285-section tires in the rear of the S-Class. Also (6) steering wheel is two-spoke one, rather than three rumored.
The 4.0 second 0-60 dash appears very conservative to me in light of what an E Estate S-model 4-matic can do with 100 less NM of torque. I even doubt they were allowed to hook up measurements, instead timing it manually.
http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Drives/Search-Results/First-drives/Mercedes-S63-AMG-4Matic-2013-CAR-first-ride/
Mostly what was expected BUT Interesting for me: (1) power has gone up 40hp to 577 and there is no mention of it being a Performance Package; torque is 664, though, which hints at this being about as high as the engine will be tuned to go; (2) weight has been reduced by 100kg, (3) variable rate steering, (4) two distinct chassis settings and (5) Mercedes is putting 285-section tires in the rear of the S-Class. Also (6) steering wheel is two-spoke one, rather than three rumored.
The 4.0 second 0-60 dash appears very conservative to me in light of what an E Estate S-model 4-matic can do with 100 less NM of torque. I even doubt they were allowed to hook up measurements, instead timing it manually.
http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Drives/Search-Results/First-drives/Mercedes-S63-AMG-4Matic-2013-CAR-first-ride/
