The Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan range might be nearing the tail end of its natural life cycle, but its maker has given it a final shove forward by throwing in a brand new range of V6 and V8 engines.
The real excitement, as per the recently launched CL coupe, comes in the S 63 AMG variant, which gets the company's all-new 5.5-litre biturbo V8 engine. When ordered with the 'Performance Package' the engine pushes 420kW at 5500rpm and 900Nm between 2250 and 3750rpm. Without that, you can still expect 400kW and 800Nm between 2000 and 4500rpm.
According to Mercedes-Benz, the 420kW model will rush from 0-100km/h in just 4.4 seconds, with the 400kW version taking 4.5 seconds.
Linked to the seven-speed AMG Speedshift MCT sports gearbox, the S 63 is also 25% more efficient than its predecessor, the company claiming a combined consumption figure of 10.5 l/100km and consequent CO2 emissions of 244g/km.
This improvement is achieved via new technologies such as the combination of spray-guided direct injection with bi-turbocharging and an idle-stop system.
Visually, the new S 63 AMG is distinguished by a number of subtle touches, such as new AMG triple-spoke alloys finished in titanium grey and inside you'll find a newly designed AMG instrument cluster with an "AMG V8 Biturbo" start screen.
Dynamic qualities are bolstered too, thanks to the inclusion of the Direct-Steer system, Torque Vectoring Brake and crosswind stabilisation as standard. New optional extras now available include Active Lane Keeping Assist and Active Blind-Spot Assist.
If you're less concerned with consumption and seek the absolute ultimate in performance, Mercedes is still offering the V12 in the S 65 AMG, in which the power output is raised from 450kW to 463kW, torque remaining at 1000Nm, while consumption is down 0.2 l/100km to 14.3.
At the other end of the scale, Mercedes-Benz has also fitted new engines to the S350 and S500, which like the S 63, use spray-guided combustion and other efficiency-enhancing technologies.
The new V8 in the latter displaces 4663cc and develops 320kW and 700Nm (up from 285kW and 530Nm), while fuel consumption has been reduced by 22 percent.
With the same 3499cc displacement as its predecessor, the new V6 engine develops 225kW and 370Nm (from 200kW and 350Nm) and consumption is down 24% to 7.6 l/100km on the combined cycle.
PRICING:
S 350 BlueEfficiency: R1 003 480
S 500 BlueEfficiency: R1 254 900
S 500 L BlueEfficiency: R1 356 700
S 63 AMG: R1 695 610
S 63 AMG Performance Pack: R1 760 210
S 65 AMG: R2 245 100