Mercedes-AMG S65 Final Edition (last of the V12)
#1
Mercedes-AMG S65 Final Edition (last of the V12)
Years of warnings about the V12 retiring culminate in this S-Class, the one that "crowns and brings to an end the long success story of the 6.0-litre V12 biturbo engine in the S-Class Saloon."
The G65 and SL65 have already met their ends. AMG head Tobias Moers told Car and Driver last year, "at the top of our lineup, we will follow another path." Speculation pegs a more powerful twin-turbo V8 taking the top slot; the S63 already outperforms the S65, but the V12 isn't tuned to win races. Certain AMG buyers simply want an "S" followed by the largest number available. The coupe and convertible S-Class variants could hold onto the V12 a while longer, but those two bodystyles won't be offered with the next-gen S-Class.
Moers did say that hopped-up builders in Affalterbach would "continue to build the engine for other sub-brands." Since he's not likely talking about Smart, it's possible he means Maybach, but for how long? The 18-year-old M279 engine still uses single overhead camshafts and three valves per cylinder inherited from the 1998 M137. There probably aren't enough customers to justify developing a V12 of the future. Sure, the M279 produces 621 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque, and only diesel locomotives come close to its power delivery and cruising attitude. But even those locomotives are more advanced.
As others have noted, we appear to be living in the End Times for big cylinder counts outside of small-volume makers. Even though Bentley uses Volkswagen's W12, Audi's already said that engine won't live to see another A8generation. It could be the same over at BMW. BMW Blog reported last week that BMW could build the next 7 Series without a V12 option, even though BMW has to build V12s for Rolls-Royce. And Bugatti boss Stephan Winkelmann told Car Advice last September, "There will be no new 16-cylinder, this will be the last of its kind." Across the board, as he explained, the reasons are the same: "Sooner or later the legislation will force everybody to take radical steps."
The G65 and SL65 have already met their ends. AMG head Tobias Moers told Car and Driver last year, "at the top of our lineup, we will follow another path." Speculation pegs a more powerful twin-turbo V8 taking the top slot; the S63 already outperforms the S65, but the V12 isn't tuned to win races. Certain AMG buyers simply want an "S" followed by the largest number available. The coupe and convertible S-Class variants could hold onto the V12 a while longer, but those two bodystyles won't be offered with the next-gen S-Class.
Moers did say that hopped-up builders in Affalterbach would "continue to build the engine for other sub-brands." Since he's not likely talking about Smart, it's possible he means Maybach, but for how long? The 18-year-old M279 engine still uses single overhead camshafts and three valves per cylinder inherited from the 1998 M137. There probably aren't enough customers to justify developing a V12 of the future. Sure, the M279 produces 621 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque, and only diesel locomotives come close to its power delivery and cruising attitude. But even those locomotives are more advanced.
As others have noted, we appear to be living in the End Times for big cylinder counts outside of small-volume makers. Even though Bentley uses Volkswagen's W12, Audi's already said that engine won't live to see another A8generation. It could be the same over at BMW. BMW Blog reported last week that BMW could build the next 7 Series without a V12 option, even though BMW has to build V12s for Rolls-Royce. And Bugatti boss Stephan Winkelmann told Car Advice last September, "There will be no new 16-cylinder, this will be the last of its kind." Across the board, as he explained, the reasons are the same: "Sooner or later the legislation will force everybody to take radical steps."
#2
Lead Lap
i'm gonna miss this engine... when the CL65 originally came out it was like the first properly monstrous "regular" car, a comfy coupe with more power and torque than essentially every other car on the road is such an awesome prospect
even though there's really no market for a big twin turbo V12, i'll still be sad since the V12 to me is sort of what distinguishes bmw and benz as really being in the upper tier of luxury cars, and a V12 is about the most move over peasant engine there is
even though there's really no market for a big twin turbo V12, i'll still be sad since the V12 to me is sort of what distinguishes bmw and benz as really being in the upper tier of luxury cars, and a V12 is about the most move over peasant engine there is
#4
美少女戦士セーラームーン
iTrader: (24)
I always wanted a V12 S, CL, or SL. I rode in an S65 a few years ago and it was incredible. The power was unreal and it was incredibly smooth at the same time. It’s really a shame to see the big V12 go away.
i hoped to own an R230 SL600 or a W140/W220/W221 S600 or S65. The last two CL coupes were some of the baddest coupes on the rode too. If I could afford to maintain one I would get one. I was going to get an 03-06 S600 back in the day but the cost to modify and maintain it were so outrageous that I decided against it and bought my LS430. I still think about getting multiple V12 Mercedes if I ever get rich.
i hoped to own an R230 SL600 or a W140/W220/W221 S600 or S65. The last two CL coupes were some of the baddest coupes on the rode too. If I could afford to maintain one I would get one. I was going to get an 03-06 S600 back in the day but the cost to modify and maintain it were so outrageous that I decided against it and bought my LS430. I still think about getting multiple V12 Mercedes if I ever get rich.
#5
Lead Lap
buying an S600 and tuning it essentially gives you an S65 lol
and don't worry your LS 430 was a better buy than the S, which really isn't that special of a car apart from the engine being enormous, and having ABC suspension which is great as long as one of the accumulators hasn't taken a crap
also the E55 with a tune is just as quick as the S65 and will be MUCH cheaper to run over a long period
and don't worry your LS 430 was a better buy than the S, which really isn't that special of a car apart from the engine being enormous, and having ABC suspension which is great as long as one of the accumulators hasn't taken a crap
also the E55 with a tune is just as quick as the S65 and will be MUCH cheaper to run over a long period
#7
Lexus Fanatic
Why are they dropping the V12 if there is still a market for it? I thought luxury was about offering unique and top line products. Shame they are dropping the V12, it really gave Mercedes more cred in the top end luxury class.
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#8
Lexus Fanatic
Saw one at the Newark airport. I thought dang that driver is lucky to spend all day in it (it was a limo). I thought Tavaresh got a good deal off of Hoovey way back when. I got tired of both of them and don't watch them anymore. It wasn't a AMG but it was a S600.
#11
Lexus Fanatic
#13
Lexus Fanatic
Did Toyota not bring back a Supra?
Have I6 engines not returned to MB?
Did BMW not being back an 8 series?
Did Micheal Jordan not make a comeback not once? But twice?
Vinyl records have made a comeback?
Did Lexus not bring back the AC button? (That didn’t happen )
So, my prediction is that MB win come out with a new V12 one day either on sole development or perhaps with some sort of partnership among another brand somewhere.
Last edited by Toys4RJill; 03-09-19 at 11:56 AM.
#14
Did the Winnipeg Jets not go back to Winnipeg?
Did Toyota not bring back a Supra?
Have I6 engines not returned to MB?
Did BMW not being back an 8 series?
Did Micheal Jordan not make a comeback not once? But twice?
Vinyl records have made a comeback?
Did Lexus not bring back the AC button? (That didn’t happen )
So, my prediction is that MB win come out with a new V12 one day either on sole development or perhaps with some sort of partnership among another brand somewhere.
#15
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
Did the Winnipeg Jets not go back to Winnipeg?
Did Toyota not bring back a Supra?
Have I6 engines not returned to MB?
Did BMW not being back an 8 series?
Did Micheal Jordan not make a comeback not once? But twice?
Vinyl records have made a comeback?
Did Lexus not bring back the AC button? (That didn’t happen )
So, my prediction is that MB win come out with a new V12 one day either on sole development or perhaps with some sort of partnership among another brand somewhere.
Big demand again for bi-planes? (Two stacked wings)
Will the lexus hs or ct come back?
...
Some things don’t come back.