Mercedes S-Class AMG: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Mercedes S-Class AMG catalogue spans seven listed generation entries, consolidated here into four numbered generations, from the first-generation Sedan of 1999–2002 to the fourth-generation Sedan introduced in December 2022.
The Mercedes S-Class AMG catalogue spans seven listed generation entries, consolidated here into four numbered generations, from the first-generation Sedan of 1999–2002 to the fourth-generation Sedan introduced in December 2022. The clearest choices are the fourth-generation S63E 4.0 MCT for maximum performance, the third-generation restyled S63 4.0 AT for the quickest gasoline-only specification with measured economy, and the first-generation restyled 5.4 AT for the lowest power-to-weight burden among the earlier cars with measured kerb weight. Buyers wanting a Coupe should focus on the third-generation restyling, while the third-generation Cabrio offers S63 5.5 AT and S65 6.0 AT alternatives. Prices, MSRP, reliability, problems, and cars for sale are not measured in the supplied data, so this comparison concentrates on specifications and the measurable return each version provides.
Mercedes S-Class AMG generations: what changed?
The first generation covers the 1999–2002 Sedan and its 2002–2005 restyling, with three listed versions in each phase. The original range includes 5.4 AT at 360 hp and 6.3 AT at 444 hp. The restyling retains the exact 5.4 AT name but raises output to 500 hp and adds a 612 hp 6.0 AT. That is a 140 hp increase for 5.4 AT, accompanied by a change from no boost to Compressor and an improvement in the quickest measured 0–100 km/h time from 5.7 to 4.8 seconds. The 6.0 AT is quicker still at 4.4 seconds.
The second generation is represented by the 2006–2009 Sedan and the 2009–2013 restyling, with three and six listed versions respectively. Early choices are S63 6.2 AT, S65 AMG 6.0 AT, and S63 AMG 6.2 AT. The restyled catalogue includes S63 6.2 AT, S63 5.5 AT, and S65 6.0 AT specifications. The central change is from the 6,208 cc, 525 hp S63 6.2 AT to the 5,461 cc, 544 hp S63 5.5 AT: displacement falls by 747 cc while output rises by 19 hp and torque rises from 630 to 800 Nm. The measured 0–100 km/h time improves from 4.6 to 4.5 seconds.
The third generation combines the 2013–2017 Cabrio with nine listed versions and the 2017–2020 restyled Coupe with six. The Cabrio catalogue revolves around S63 5.5 AT at 585 hp and S65 6.0 AT at 630 hp, with RWD and AWD represented among the S63 5.5 AT entries. The restyled Coupe introduces 4.0 AT and S63 4.0 AT specifications at 612 hp, alongside 6.0 AT specifications at 630 hp. Compared with the 5,461 cc, 585 hp S63 5.5 AT, the 3,982 cc, 612 hp S63 4.0 AT uses 1,479 cc less displacement, produces 27 hp more, and cuts the best listed 0–100 km/h time from 3.9 to 3.5 seconds.
The fourth generation is a Sedan introduced in December 2022, with one listed version: S63E 4.0 MCT. Its Plug-in, turbocharged 3,982 cc V-shaped 8-cylinder powertrain delivers 802 hp and 1,430 Nm through a 9-speed Automatic transmission and AWD. Against the third-generation restyled S63 4.0 AT, it adds 190 hp and 530 Nm, lowers the 0–100 km/h time by 0.2 seconds, and raises top speed by 40 km/h.
Mercedes S-Class AMG engine and specs
Repeated database entries with identical version names are consolidated below when their core engine and driveline specifications match. Where the same name covers a materially different output or driveline, both configurations remain visible.
| Generation and version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders/layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First, 5.4 AT | 360 hp | 530 Nm | 5,439 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Automatic | RWD |
| First, 6.3 AT | 444 hp | 620 Nm | 6,258 cc | Gasoline | 12, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Automatic | RWD |
| First restyling, 5.4 AT | 500 hp | 700 Nm | 5,439 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | Compressor | 5-speed Automatic | RWD |
| First restyling, 6.0 AT | 612 hp | 1,000 Nm | 5,980 cc | Gasoline | 12, V-shaped | Turbo | 5-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second, S63 6.2 AT | 525 hp | 630 Nm | 6,208 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 7-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second, S65 AMG 6.0 AT | 612 hp | 1,000 Nm | 5,980 cc | Gasoline | 12, V-shaped | Turbo | 5-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second, S63 AMG 6.2 AT | 525 hp | 630 Nm | 6,208 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 7-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second restyling, S63 6.2 AT | 525 hp | 630 Nm | 6,208 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 7-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second restyling, S63 5.5 AT | 544 hp | 800 Nm | 5,461 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | Turbo or No | 7-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second restyling, S65 6.0 AT | 612 or 630 hp | 1,000 Nm | 5,980 cc | Gasoline | 12, V-shaped | Turbo | 5-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Third, S63 5.5 AT | 585 hp | 800 or 900 Nm | 5,461 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 7-speed Automatic | RWD or AWD |
| Third, S65 6.0 AT | 630 hp | 1,000 Nm | 5,980 cc | Gasoline | 12, V-shaped | Turbo | 7-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Third restyling, 4.0 AT | 612 hp | 900 Nm | 3,982 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 9-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Third restyling, S63 4.0 AT | 612 hp | 900 Nm | 3,982 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 9-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Third restyling, 6.0 AT | 630 hp | 1,000 Nm | 5,980 cc | Gasoline | 12, V-shaped | Turbo | 9-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Fourth, S63E 4.0 MCT | 802 hp | 1,430 Nm | 3,982 cc | Plug-in | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 9-speed Automatic | AWD |
Power per litre makes the progression especially clear. The first-generation 360 hp 5.4 AT produces about 66.2 hp per litre; the restyled 500 hp 5.4 AT reaches about 91.9 hp per litre. The third-generation restyled 612 hp S63 4.0 AT delivers about 153.7 hp per litre, while the fourth-generation 802 hp S63E 4.0 MCT reaches about 201.4 hp per litre on the catalogue’s combined output and 3,982 cc displacement figures.
Performance and fuel economy
The fourth-generation S63E 4.0 MCT is the performance leader: 0–100 km/h takes 3.3 seconds and top speed is 290 km/h. Combined consumption is 4.4 l/100 km; city and highway consumption are not measured. CO₂ output is 100 g/km.
Among gasoline-only versions, the third-generation restyled 4.0 AT and S63 4.0 AT are quickest at 3.5 seconds to 100 km/h, with a measured top speed of 250 km/h. For S63 4.0 AT, consumption is 11.7 l/100 km in the city, 7.3 l/100 km on the highway, and 8.9 l/100 km combined. Equivalent consumption figures for the other 4.0 AT entries are not measured.
The third-generation S63 5.5 AT ranges from 3.9 to 4.4 seconds depending on the listed configuration, and every entry with a top-speed value records 250 km/h. Its measured combined consumption ranges from 10.1 to 10.4 l/100 km. The AWD entries record 3.9 or 4.0 seconds, while the RWD entries record 4.2 or 4.4 seconds. This makes AWD the stronger acceleration choice within the otherwise similarly named S63 5.5 AT group.
The third-generation S65 6.0 AT records 4.1 or 4.3 seconds to 100 km/h and 250 km/h where top speed is measured. Measured consumption is 17.1 l/100 km city, 8.6 l/100 km highway, and 11.9 l/100 km combined. The third-generation restyled 6.0 AT records 4.1 or 4.3 seconds; top speed and consumption are not measured for some entries, while the fully measured specification records 250 km/h and the same 17.1, 8.6, and 11.9 l/100 km figures.
Earlier cars trade speed for simpler specifications. The first-generation 5.4 AT takes 5.7 or 6.0 seconds, consumes 19.6 l/100 km city, 9.4 l/100 km highway, and 13.0 l/100 km combined, and reaches 250 km/h. The restyled 5.4 AT cuts acceleration to 4.8 seconds, with combined consumption of 13.0 or 13.2 l/100 km. The first-generation restyled 6.0 AT takes 4.4 seconds and consumes 14.9 l/100 km combined.
Mercedes S-Class AMG weight, dimensions, tank and wheels
Full exterior dimensions are not measured in the supplied data. Measured mass, clearance, tank capacity, and wheel specifications still reveal important differences.
The fourth-generation S63E 4.0 MCT has a 2,595 kg kerb weight and 3,145 kg gross weight. Ground clearance is not measured, the tank holds 76 litres, and wheel sizes are 255/45 R20 and 285/40 R20. Its weight-to-power ratio is about 3.24 kg per hp.
The third-generation restyled S63 4.0 AT weighs 2,070 kg kerb and 2,745 kg gross, has a 70-litre tank, and has ground clearance and wheel sizes not measured. Its ratio is about 3.38 kg per hp, only about 0.14 kg per hp higher than S63E 4.0 MCT, despite the newer car carrying 525 kg more kerb weight.
A fully measured third-generation S63 5.5 AT weighs 1,995 kg with RWD or 2,070 kg with AWD; both cited configurations have a 2,725 kg gross weight and 127 mm clearance. Their 70-litre tanks accompany 255/45 R19 and 285/40 R19 wheels. At 585 hp, the RWD car carries about 3.41 kg per hp and the AWD car about 3.54 kg per hp.
The third-generation S65 6.0 AT weighs between 2,185 and 2,250 kg where measured, with gross weight between 2,585 and 2,750 kg. Clearance is 122 or 127 mm, tanks hold 70 or 80 litres, and the measured wheel sets are 255/40 R20 and 285/35 R20. A 2,185 kg example at 630 hp works out to about 3.47 kg per hp.
The second-generation S63 6.2 AT weighs 2,070 kg kerb and 2,595 kg gross, offers 150 mm clearance, a 90-litre tank, and 255/40 R19 and 275/40 R19 wheels. The second-generation restyled S63 5.5 AT has measured kerb weights from 2,115 to 2,170 kg, gross weights from 2,615 to 2,695 kg, clearance from 145 to 150 mm, and a 90-litre tank.
For the first generation, the 360 hp 5.4 AT weighs 1,810 kg and therefore carries about 5.03 kg per hp. The restyled 500 hp 5.4 AT weighs 1,915 or 1,930 kg, improving that ratio to about 3.83 or 3.86 kg per hp. Both phases have 150 mm clearance, 88-litre tanks, and 245/45 R18 and 275/40 R18 wheels.
Which Mercedes S-Class AMG version should you buy?
Choose S63E 4.0 MCT if outright numbers matter most. Its 802 hp, 1,430 Nm, 3.3-second acceleration time, and 290 km/h top speed lead every listed version. It also has the lowest measured combined consumption at 4.4 l/100 km, though it is the heaviest at 2,595 kg and its city and highway figures are not measured.
Choose the third-generation restyled S63 4.0 AT if you want the strongest all-round gasoline-only specification supported by complete performance and economy figures. It provides 612 hp, 900 Nm, AWD, a 9-speed Automatic transmission, 3.5-second acceleration, and 8.9 l/100 km combined consumption. It is 525 kg lighter than S63E 4.0 MCT, although it gives away 190 hp and 530 Nm.
Choose a third-generation S63 5.5 AT AWD specification if traction and Cabrio body style are priorities. At 585 hp and 900 Nm, its quickest listed time is 3.9 seconds, 0.3 seconds faster than the comparable 4.2-second RWD entry. The AWD option’s measured combined consumption is 10.3 or 10.4 l/100 km, versus 10.1 l/100 km for measured RWD entries.
Choose S65 6.0 AT or the third-generation restyled 6.0 AT if the V-shaped 12-cylinder layout and 1,000 Nm matter more than maximum acceleration. Their 630 hp output exceeds the 612 hp S63 4.0 AT by 18 hp, but their measured acceleration of 4.1–4.3 seconds is slower than 3.5 seconds, and their measured combined consumption of 11.9 l/100 km is 3.0 l/100 km higher.
For an earlier-generation numerical sweet spot, the first-generation restyled 5.4 AT deserves attention. It gains 140 hp over the original 5.4 AT, improves the best acceleration figure by 0.9 seconds, and reduces measured weight per horsepower from about 5.03 to about 3.83 kg per hp. Price, maintenance cost, reliability, and known problems are not measured, however, so the data cannot establish whether that specification is the least expensive or least troublesome to own.