The S-Class is the Premier Lounge of the Mercedes-Benz range, built to ferry plutocrats between meetings in hushed and respectful smoothness, so even when AMG get their hands on an S-Class the result is likely to be more about style than speed - like this one, the S350 BlueTec AMG Sport Edition.
Mechanically it's stock standard, with a three-litre V6 turbodiesel delivering 177kW and 618Nm, driving through a seven-speed auto transmission, but an understated (by AMG standards) styling package adds front and rear aprons, subtle sill extensions, neat 20” AMG rims in a five twin-spoke design, painted brake callipers with special logos, an electric glass sunroof and illuminated door sills.
LUXURIOUSLY COOL
The interior continues the 'luxuriously cool' theme with black ash veneer trim, a wood and leather-trimmed steering wheel, studded sports pedals finished in stainless steel and AMG-branded floor mats.
Keyless entry and start is also cool, as is the standard reversing camera, while the 14-speaker Harmon Kardon entertainment system and 'split view' screen enable the Comand multimedia system to display different content for driver and front passenger.
While the S350 BlueTec AMG Sport Edition - which sells for £69 995 (R964 000) in the UK - is unlikely to be offered as a stand-alone model in South Africa, your Mercedes-Benz dealer will be happy to discuss putting the AMG styling stamp on your new S-Class.