Performance Review: Mercedes S Class 65 AMG - [2013]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes S Class Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes S Class 65 AMG is the 7 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2013. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2014 Tesla Model S P100D Ludicrous Performance and the 2014 Koenigsegg One 1 5.1 V8 Twin 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 Coupe 6.5 V12

The S Class shares its Petrol V12 engine configuration with the likes of the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12 and the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 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 2305 kgs (5081 lbs) this makes the Mercedes S Class 65 AMG in the same weight category as the 2021 Porsche Taycan 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 1999 Dodge Viper GTS ACR 8.0 V10 (294.4 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 269.4 bhp per ton and 320.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2013 S Class competing with the 1999 Dodge Viper GTS ACR 8.0 V10 (294.4 bhp per ton) or the 2019 Porsche Taycan Turbo (294.2 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 320.1 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 1992 Caterham Super 7 JPE (345.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 1971 Pontiac Firebird 455 4.7 L V8 (344.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.3 secs, this made the Mercedes S Class 65 AMG as fast as the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (4.20 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive 3.0 Turbo G42 (4.20 secs) the 2020 Lotus Elise Sport 220 1.8 Supercharged (4.20 secs) the or the 2020 Maserati Ghibli Trofeo 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo (4.20 secs). This Mercedes S Class 65 AMG is also faster than the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (4.30 secs) the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (4.30 secs) the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo (4.30 secs) the and the 2022 Lotus Eletre S 603 bhp (4.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the S Class and the 2012 Audi A3 S3 2.0 Turbo S-Tronic

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes S Class on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.73 secs @ 107.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2012 Audi A3 S3 2.0 Turbo S-Tronic (12.67 secs), the 1961 Jaguar E Type 3.8L Roadster (12.68 secs), and the 1967 Chevrolet Impala SS 427 (12.68 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2013 version of the Mercedes S Class 65 AMG has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2013 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 2013 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:

2013 S Class Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison