Mercedes-Benz S 65 AMG W220 Is A Showcase Of Pure Grunt

Measuring power output of an S65 AMG with a comma is impressive, even if you’re using newton meters.
 

It’s a magic number that Mercedes first eclipsed over 20 years ago. One thousand. It’s the newton meter rating of S65 AMG V12 engines. Specifically the M275 that punches out 6.0 liters.
 
AMG’s tinker masters in Germany managed to get absolutely huge numbers from the S65’s V12. Power came in at 604, but it was the torque – all 738 ft/lbs of it – that got the headlines. Using Euro measurements, that’s 1,001 NM.
 

A defining moment for AMG, the S65 twin turbo V12 was the bar by which all other super barges were measured. And none of them came close. Even Mercedes’ own SLR would blush at how much more powerful the S65 measures up.
 
We all know the mind games this played with the engineers, too. Could they use the newly developed 7G-tronic gearbox? Not without consequence. No, the V12’s (all of them, to the very end) used the 5G-tronic. It seems backwards to use old tech for a new car, but the 7G just wasn’t engineered to handle a thousand torques.
 
You could have your M275 in a few flavors. If a big sedan wasn’t your speed, you could get the C216 and the R230. But this particular W220 from ClassicDriver is unique. Alabaster White covers a striking blue interior. Designo editions always had these options available to them, but we’ve most often observed unique exterior colors. The blue certainly is an interesting choice.
 

Outside once more, we spot instantly recognizable AMG rims, in 19 inches of size. Those are needed to clear the huge multi-piston calipers required to slow down a car of this heft and grunt.
 
With all the impressive figures, there’s still some simplicity in the lines. Option 772 designates the AMG appearance pack. That adds the front and rear bumper covers and a pair of side skirts. What it doesn’t do is fuss with the W220’s classy profile, or add unbecoming fenders. In fact, AMG’s of recent are so easily identifiable from their standard counterparts that it makes the S65 into a bit of a factory sleeper. One thousand NM in a narrow body car? You’d certainly catch a few drivers off guard.