Mercedes-AMG S65 V12: If you’ve ever heard a Mercedes-AMG V12 at full speed you understand that it’s more than simply an engine—it’s an event. An uncommon, vintage, heart-pounding performance that contemporary EVs and hybrids just cannot match.
And Mercedes AMG discreetly finish the last chapter of that period in 2019.
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The Mercedes AMG S65 Coupe and Sedan were the final AMG vehicle with rear wheel drive and a twin-turbo V12. Just twelve cylinder, two turbo and a mountain of torque powering only the back wheels—no artificial music or electronic help.
This was more than simply a model line’s demise. It marked the conclusion of an emotion.
Why an Era Was Ended with the S65 V12
The V12 was discontinue by Mercedes-AMG in 2019 and it was only available in Maybachs for a brief period before being retired entirely. As a result, the S65 long regarded as the S-Class lineup secret flagship became the only pure AMG V12 without all-wheel drive.
What made it special?
- A 6L M275 AMG V12 Biturbo construct by hand
- An amazing 738 lb ft of torque and 621 horsepower
- A silky 7-speed automatic
- Rear-wheel drive… with enough power to melt the horizon
The S65 didn’t shout. It whispered in a deep threatening voice.
Whether you bought the coupe or the sedan the S65 was one of those rare car that felt equal at home doing 180 mph or creeping through a valet line at a hotel.
Driving the 2019 AMG S65: Smooth, Fast and Almost Too Perfect
When the 2019 S65 arrived most reviewer had the same reaction this is peak Mercedes
Zero drama, no lag, no harshness—just effortless acceleration that felt like being pulled by a high-speed train.
0–60 mph in just 4 seconds might not sound shocking in 2025, but the way the S65 delivered that speed was magic:
- No noise spikes
- No wheelspin theatrics
- No fuss
Just relentless torque.
Add Magic Body Control—which literally tilts the car into corners—and you got a 5,000-lb luxury bullet that felt lighter than physics should allow.
It was a car designed not to entertain you with drama, but to spoil you with perfection.
Inside the S65: Peak Mercedes Luxury Before Screens Took Over
Some modern cabins try too hard. The S65 didn’t need to.
Step inside and you were surrounded by:
- Ultra-soft Nappa leather with massage seat
- A 26 speaker Burmester 3D audio system (better than some cinemas)
- Near-silent insulation
- Panoramic sunroof
- Premium leather steering wheel
- Bronze, aluminum, or carbon trims depending on spec
It wasn’t an interior that tried to impress you. It just did.
This was Mercedes at its absolute best—before every luxury cabin became a wall of screens.
The Engine That Made It All Possible: AMG’s M275 V12 Biturbo
The hand-built M275 V12 traces its roots back to the naturally aspirated M137. AMG strengthened the block, added intercoolers and increased the bore and stroke to create one of the most reliable high-power engines in Mercedes history.
M275 AMG V12 Specs
- 5,980 cc displacement
- 9.0:1 compression
- 738 lb-ft available from just 2,300 rpm
This engine powered:
- S600
- CL600
- SL600
- All AMG “65” models
- Maybach G650 Landaulet
- And even a few hyper-rare supercars like the Laraki Fulgura
It was big, complex, and thirsty—but brutally dependable when maintained properly.
The S65 Final Edition: AMG’s Bronze-Black Farewell Gift
To properly send off the V12 era Mercedes-AMG built just 130 units of the S65 Final Edition.
Highlights included:
- Obsidian Black Metallic paint
- Bronze accents everywhere
- 20-inch bronze wheels
- Gloss-black tailpipes
- Black Nappa leather with copper stitching
- Bronze-woven carbon fiber trim
- Copper ambient lighting
It wasn’t faster than the standard model—because it didn’t need to be.
It was simply the most beautiful S65 ever made.
Base MSRP? Around $250,000.
What an AMG S65 Costs Today
The used market is a wild place with V12 AMGs.
Here’s what recent Bring a Trailer listing looked like:
- $119,000 for a 2019 Coupe with 5,000 mile (reserve not met)
- 2020 Final Edition: $168,000 (3,800 mile)
- $24,500 for a 69,000 mile 2007 Sedan
- 25,000 miles on a 2006: $46,000
- 2020 Final Edition: $188,888 (1200 mile)
- $51,500 for a 91,000 mile 2015 Coupe
- 2019: $103,000 after 17,000 mile
Surprising right?
Older S65s offer the same engine, nearly the same performance, and often cost a fraction of the newer ones.
The Final Edition, though, is holding its value very well—and likely will continue to.
Should You Buy an S65 Today?
If you’re buying it as an investment… probably not.
If you’re buying it because you want one of the greatest Mercedes-AMG models ever built?
Absolutely.
A clean, low-mileage 2006–2009 S65 is an insane performance bargain.
If you want the Final Edition, buy it because you love the bronze theme—not because you expect it to triple in value.
Few cars offer this level of comfort, power and presence. It’s a car you buy to enjoy, not to flip.
FAQs
Q1. Is the S65 expensive to maintain?
A: Yes It’s a complex luxury car with a hand-built V12—maintenance and repair cost significantly more than typical Mercedes model.
Q2. Is the S65 a good investment?
A: Not necessarily The Final Edition holds value, but most S65s should be bought for enjoyment, not appreciation.
Q3. What makes the Final Edition special?
A: Its limited production (130 units) and unique bronze styling details inside and out.
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