2015 Mercedes S63 AMG Coupe Revealed With 577 HP

Mercedes just unveiled the fastest and most exclusive version of its new flagship ahead of its official New York Auto Show debut.

The 2015 S 63 AMG will arrive in a climate controlled garage (possibly) near you later this fall. It will arrive exclusively as an all-wheel drive model with a 5.5-liter biturbo V8 sending 577 hp and 644 lb-ft of torque to all four wheels all the time. The system sends 33 percent of the engine’s torque to the front and 67 percent to the back half, allowing for better year-round driving and a sprint to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds.

Early adopters will have a crack at buying an even more exclusive Edition 1 model that – like the normal S-Class coupe – comes with Swarovski crystals in the headlights and matte grey paint.

Regardless of whether or not you get one of those, the obligatory AMG body enhancements are in place. A bolder grille, bigger air ducts and a front splitter all enhance the car’s look an performance functionality. Optional 10-spoke forged light-alloy wheels help achieve a total weight savings of up to 140 lbs compared to the CL 63 AMG model being replaced. Still, she’s a heavy beast with a curb weight of 4,400 lbs. Thankfully, Mercedes is offering optional ceramic high-performance composite brakes to help reduce brake fade and stopping distances at high speeds.

The AMG “Speedshift” seven-speed transmission offers three driving modes: controlled efficiency (for comfortable cruising), sport (meant for playing rugby), and manual (meant for knowing better than the car when it is appropriate to shift). A start-stop engine feature to save fuel is also standard on all models.

In controlled efficiency mode, special exhaust flaps remain closed more often to modulate noise coming from the force-fed V8. Press sport mode and those flaps fly open to make noise more readily.

Mercedes expects the new model to be more efficient, but hasn’t released fuel consumption figures at this time.

The car rides on an air suspension, but the front and rear axles have both been revised for improved agility. Pricing hasn’t been announced yet, but the 2014 CL63 AMG it replaces carries a starting price of $154,600.