And the numbers are siri-aas-ly impressive: One, two, 4.3, six, 11.9, 12, 24, 48, 250, 463, 1000.
But the most impressive number of all is this one: 65. As in Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG. In this era of downsized hard-working smaller engines, it could be one of the last high-performance 12-cylinder cars from a German premium manufacturer. And as of Friday, 8 November, it's official - no more spy shots.
Let's unravel those numbers, shall we:
One, of course, is the number of AMG technicians who worked on the engine of your S65 at Affalterbach, and his name is there on the carbon-fibre engine cover for all to see.
Two is the number of turbochargers - one for each bank - that blow clean, intercooled air into the inlet tracts.
Four-point-three is the number of seconds it takes to push this luxury liner from docked to 100km/h, six is the size of the engine in litres (or 5980cc, if your favoured style of outerware has quilted stitching) and 11.9 is how many litres of unleaded it burns, on average, per 100km, thanks to its idle-stop function and clever alternator management.
Twelve is the number of cylinders, 24 the number of spark plugs and 48 the tally of valves that it takes to generate 463kW from 4800-5400rpm and 1000Nm from 2300-4300rpm.
Have we left anything out?
Oh yes, 250km/h is the (limited) top speed of the this, probably the world's most sophisticated sledgehammer.
The big numbers - 463kW and 1000Nm - are delivered to the rear wheels by a new seven-speed Speedshift Plus transmission with three individual driving programmes, which can be selected at the press of a button in the centre console: Controlled Efficiency (C), Sport (S) and Manual (M).
In modes S and M the emphasis is on sportiness, with brief, precisely defined cuts in ignition and injection during upshifts under full load.
Like the S63, the new S65 has 78Ah lithium-ion battery that replaces both the starter battery and the backup battery and saves more than 20kg; it's also less sensitive to cold than a conventional lead-acid battery
But power is nothing without control...
The S65 AMG comes standard with a new body control system that incorporates road surface scan, making it, according to Mercedes-Benz, the first suspension with eyes, able to recognise road surface undulations in advance by means of a stereo camera, and adjust the suspension in advance to suit the situation.
“Comfort” and “Sport” modes are available for a driver-defined suspension setup, while AMG-specific bushings on the four-link front axle and multi-link independent rear suspension make the road-holding crisper and the steering more direct.
But this is still a big car with a very heavy engine, prone to understeer on corner entry, so targeted braking on the inside rear wheel from the standard-fit dynamic cornering assist programme helps your S65 to go exactly where you point it.
High-speed accuracy
And pointing it is that much more accurate at high speed, thanks to electromechanical, speed-sensitive sports steering with variable steering ratio. In 'Comfort' suspension mode, it enhances comfort by providing more steering assistance, but in 'Sport' mode the driver feels a stiffer action.
The S65 AMG now also has 16-spoked, forged light-alloy rims, reducing unsprung weight while increasing strength. Standard sizes are 255/40 R20 front and 285/35 R20 rear, with a screw-in wheel-bolt cover designed to look like a racing centre-lock - and provide an unobscured view of the AMG high-performance braking system.
Carbon ceramic composite brakes with 420mm front callipers are also available as an option, reducing unsprung weight by 20 percent and improving corrosion resistance, service life and thermal stability.
First-class cabin
The interior of the S65 is defined by nappa-leather upholstery with distinctive diamond-pattern stitching - and no perforations wherever contrasting top-stitching is used, for extra-neat seams.
The special sports seats have electric adjustment, memory function, seat heating and climate control as standard, along with newly contoured seat cushions and backrests for extra lateral support.
Also standard are a nappa-leather roof liner, leather-lined dashboard, door centre panels in a diamond-pattern design, leather-clad roof grab-handles, additional wood trim and AMG stainless-steel doorsills, backlit in white
The two-spoked sports steering wheel contoured rim is covered with nappa leather - perforated in the grip area - while the instrument cluster is a high-resolution TFT colour display, with special AMG lettering, red and silver needles, and the AMG logo on the 360km/h speedometer face matched by 'V12 Biturbo' lettering on the rev-counter dial.
Head-Up display
The main menu displays a digital speedometer and a permanent gear display in the upper section, with a shift-light function when the transmission is in 'M' mode.
Two more round dials show the engine and transmission oil temperatures when the driver selects 'Warm up' from the menu, while 'Set Up' displays the transmission and suspension mode as well as the activated ESP mode.
New to this model is a head-up display of speed, speed limits, navigation information, traffic signs and information from the active cruise control, with an apparent size of about 210mm x 70mm, seemingly floating above the bonnet about two metres ahead of the driver.
The Comand infotainment system now includes a 65mm x 45mm touchpad in the centre armrest that can read one and two-finger swipe and zoom gestures, as well as letters, numbers and special characters described by fingertip movements.
It even has a three-dimensional sensor that can tell whether your hand is just resting on the armrest or if you're trying to tell it something!