Performance Review: Mercedes S Class 65 AMG 6.0 V12 - [2017]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes S Class Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes S Class 65 AMG 6.0 V12 is the 7 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2017. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2018 Bugatti Chiron Sport 8.0L W16 Quad Turbo and the 2018 Bugatti Divo 8.0L W16 64 Valve Turbo.This particular Mercedes S Class has a 5980cc Twin Turbo Petrol powerplant with 12 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V12's includes the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12

The S Class shares its Petrol V12 engine configuration with the likes of the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12 and the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the S Class's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 2175 kgs (4795 lbs) this makes the Mercedes S Class 65 AMG 6.0 V12 in the same weight category as the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Mercedes S Class shares the same bhp with the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo (611 bhp)

In terms of power the 5980cc 36V V12 engine produces 621 bhp (463 kW) @ 4800 rpm similar to the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo (611 bhp) or the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (616 bhp).

The Twin Turbo V12 throws out 738 lb-ft (1000.5 Nm) @ 2300 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Lotus Eletre R 905 bhp (726 lb-ft) or the 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 6.2 V8 Supercharged C8 (715 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Mercedes S Class you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2022 Aston-Martin DBX 707 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (310.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mercedes S Class.

The Mercedes S Class has a Power to weight ratio of 285.5 bhp per ton and 339.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2017 S Class competing with the 2022 Aston-Martin DBX 707 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (310.4 bhp per ton) or the 1987 Porsche 959 Turbo (310.1 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Mercedes S Class generating around 339.3 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 6.2 V8 Supercharged (363.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2012 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 (361.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.1 secs, this made the Mercedes S Class 65 AMG 6.0 V12 as fast as the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (4.00 secs) the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (4.00 secs) the 2021 Audi e-tron GT Quattro (4.00 secs) the or the 2020 Lotus Evora GT410 3.5 V6 Supercharged (4.00 secs). This Mercedes S Class 65 AMG 6.0 V12 is also faster than the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (4.10 secs) the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 (4.10 secs) the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged (4.10 secs) the and the 2022 BMW XM 4.4 V8 Twin Turbo G09 (4.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the S Class and the 2008 Maserati GranTurismo S 4.6 V8

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes S Class on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.49 secs @ 109.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2008 Maserati GranTurismo S 4.6 V8 (12.44 secs), the 1966 Pontiac GTO 6.4L V8 (12.44 secs), and the 1965 Ferrari 275 GTS 3.3 V12 (12.44 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2017 version of the Mercedes S Class 65 AMG 6.0 V12 has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2017 S Class equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2017 Mercedes S Class 65 AMG 6.0 V12 then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2017 S Class Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison