A Thousand Twists in the Tail

The most exclusive luxury saloon in the Mercedes portfolio arrives and it packs the most outrageous heart of them all — a 6.0-litre, twin-turbo, V12, petrol engine promising a full 1,000 Nm of torque!

- Jim Gorde

I remember reading somewhere years ago that Mercedes would never get the 65 AMG V12 to India. Sad as I was upon hearing that news, I found consolation in the fact that the M275 existed and that it was being worked upon even more. Further consolation arrived in 2015 when I got behind the wheel of the Maybach S 600 — the first spawn of the brand’s reincarnation to feature the evolved M277 V12 with 530 hp and 830 Nm. Now, though, this is the big one. The full-fat Maybach S 650. And it’s armed with the Affalterbach-built M279 AMG V12 engine that delivers all of 630 hp and what is a governed peak torque of 1,000 Nm; still unbelievable in this day and age. This V12 has an illustrious history from the earlier Maybach 57 and 62 S where it sat under the bonnet in M285 guise. Another version is still seen under the articulate rear carbon craftwork that nestles it inside the manic Pagani Huayra in M158 guise. As this was written, it is powering the swansong AMG S 65 Final Edition, limited to 130 units worldwide — and that makes this occasion even more special.

There are several V8 engines which, when blown hard, deliver power figures and a beautiful racket that in many eyes (and ears) seem to silence the V12. However, nothing can recreate what is essentially two banks of straight-sixes firing in harmony for a butter-smooth ode to combustion that results in zero-effort torque splurging the likes of which truly remain unmatched; except, perhaps, by the lifestyles of some of those who could afford one. The Maybach S 650 then puts those splurges to use — bringing silence, refinement, and an effortless charge forward at the tiniest flex of the few toes in contact with the throttle pedal.