Mercedes-AMG S63 Cabriolet 2017 review — Auto Car
\nFacelifted S63 Cabriolet gains more potency and speed to go alongside impressive refinement.
\nWhat is it?
\nYou could be forgiven for not noticing much difference in this latest Mercedes-AMG S63 Cabriolet, an update of the 2014 model.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s because, says product boss Dirk Fetzer, acceptance of the car\u2019s styling remains so high that AMG chose to focus investment on the technical side. As a result, there\u2019s plenty that\u2019s new under the cover: a 4.0-litre V8 bi-turbo unit replacing the 5.5-litre, a nine-speed wet-clutch automatic gearbox and a host of fancy technology recently introduced on the S-Class saloon.<\/p>\n
For the sake of diligence, exterior changes include a new AMG panamericana grille and front apron with jet wing, plus new side skirts and OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) tail-lights.<\/p>\n
The panamericana grille on the S63 ensures the model looks different to the two other S-Class cabriolet models: the entry-level S560 and the top-of-the-range S65. The S65 also has a panamericana grille but with a V-shaped cooling air intake, while the S560 has a standard Mercedes grille.<\/p>\n
Pricing hasn\u2019t been announced yet, but given that the coup\u00e9 equivalent starts from \u00a3127,515 and the outgoing S63 cabriolet cost \u00a3135,675, you can expect the new model to be pushing \u00a3140,000. When you consider rivals the Aston Martin DB11 and Bentley Continental GT \u2013 typically considered more prestigious than Mercedes \u2013 are in the same price category, the S63 Cabriolet has a lot to prove.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s worth noting that our American test car is 4Matic four-wheel drive, which will be the only option for the S63, unless you live where we do. In the UK, it will only be available in rear-wheel drive.<\/p>\n