Showing no signs of shying away from its mighty 6,0-litre V12 engine, Mercedes-AMG has lifted the wraps off the S65 Cabriolet.
Flying squarely in the face of all things reserved, the Mercedes-AMG S65 Cabriolet is the latest Affalterbach-fettled vessel for the company’s mighty biturbo V12 mill.
Coupled with the company’s AMG Speedshift 7G-tronic automatic transmission, and developing 463 kW and 1 000 N.m of torque, this unit will reportedly propel the S65 Cabriolet from standstill to 100 km/h in a follicle-wrenching 4,1 seconds before topping out at an electronically limited 250 km/h. Opt for the optional AMG Driver’s Package and that top speed will climb to a frankly ludicrous 300 km/h.
To counter the thirst often associated with such heady outputs, Mercedes has undertaken a number of efficiency-boosting measures, including the adoption of a lithium-ion battery pack that shaves 20 kg off the car’s otherwise normal-battery-equipped kerb weight and the use of rigid, lightweight materials in the car’s construction. As such, the company claims an average fuel consumption figure of 12,0 L/100 km.
Like most top-end Mercedes cabriolet models, the S65 will feature the AIRCAP draft-diverting A-pillar fin, AIRSCARF neck-level air vents – both of which are overseen by an intelligent climate control system – as well as heated armrests. The double-layered canvas top will be offered in a choice of four colours.
Although downsizing appears to be the order of the day in most automotive circles, Mercedes is adamant that the V12 still has a rosy future ahead of it, and is actually ramping up production of this leviathan unit.
The S65 will be joined by the SL, SLC and S-Class Cabriolet in July 2016.
