Performance Review: Mercedes S Class 65 AMG - [2010]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes S Class Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes S Class 65 AMG is the 5 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2010. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2011 SSC Tuatara 6.9L V8 Twin Turbo and the 2010 Bugatti Veyron 8.0 litre W16 Super Sport.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 2275 kgs (5015 lbs) this makes the Mercedes S Class 65 AMG in the same weight category as the 2020 Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo 3.8 V8 Twin 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 1971 Lamborghini Miura P4000 SV (297.7 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 272.9 bhp per ton and 324.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2010 S Class competing with the 1971 Lamborghini Miura P4000 SV (297.7 bhp per ton) or the 2006 Porsche 911 Turbo 997 (297.7 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 324.3 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 2004 Westfield Sport 2000S (349.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2018 Ferrari Monza SP2 6.5L V12 (348.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.4 secs, this made the Mercedes S Class 65 AMG as fast as the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (4.30 secs) the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (4.30 secs) the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo (4.30 secs) the or the 2022 Lotus Eletre S 603 bhp (4.30 secs). This Mercedes S Class 65 AMG is also faster than the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs) the 2020 Bentley Bentayga 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs) the and the 2020 Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo (4.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the S Class and the 2015 BMW 3 Series 340i xDrive F30 LCI

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes S Class on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.67 secs @ 107.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2015 BMW 3 Series 340i xDrive F30 LCI (12.62 secs), the 1998 Mazda RX7 RZ (12.64 secs), and the 1967 Pontiac Firebird 400 (12.65 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2010 version of the Mercedes S Class 65 AMG has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2010 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 2010 Mercedes S Class 65 AMG 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:

2010 S Class Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison