Mercedes S63 and S65 AMG debut at Shanghai

Mercedes revealed the S63 and S65 AMG (pictured) at the Shanghai Motor Show today

In yet another demonstration of how important emerging car markets are to premium car makers, Mercedes has chosen to unveil its top two S Class models – the Mercedes S63 AMG and the Mercedes S65 AMG – at the Shanghai Motor Show today.

These range-topping S Class Mercedes get the same updates as the lesser siblings (and the Hybrid S400) we told you about a week ago. But this isn’t a new model – just a mid-cycle refresh of the S Class in general.

The engines are the same as in the old model, with the S63 sporting a 6.2 litre V8 that delivers 525bhp, and the S65 getting a rather large 612bhp from its twin-turbo, 6.0 litre V12. No shortage of power then? As a sop to eco-green-ness Mercedes has announced that the new uber-barges have lower emissions than the previous models, by a mind boggling 3%! Still, I suppose it all helps.

But a bit of bling is a given for the range topping S Class, so the new AMGs get a shiny chrome grill, LED lights and new mirrors. Inside the changes to the rest of the range carry over, with some clever split-screen technology for the COMAND screen and other goodies.

You can have the S63 in standard or long wheelbase, but the S65 only comes in long. And it does make you wonder what on earth is the point of the Maybach, at twice the money of these cars?

But really, this is just about keeping the cars fresh, and enticing the new wealthy in emerging markets to fall for the 3-pointed star. And they make a good job of doing that with these cars. China (and the rest) are hugely important to Mercedes (and BMW) so it’s a good move to launch the cars here.

As you’d expect, Mercedes has lots to say in its press release, so we’ve linked to it that after the image galleries below.