AMG S65 Sedan

Segment
Sedan

The twelve-cylinder engine, we're sorry to say, is dying a slow but steady death in the automotive industry. And soon it will claim another casualty. But there's a silver lining or two in this story.

Speaking with GoAuto in Paris last week, Mercedes-AMG boss Tobias Moers confirmed that the S65 won't live to see another generation. With the S600 having already been phased out, the S65 is one of the last V12-powered Benzes available, offered in sedan, coupe, and convertible body-styles. They pack a 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 hand-built by AMG, producing 621 horsepower and a massive 738 lb-ft of torque.

The engine also powered the SL65 roadster and G65 sport-ute until they were discontinued. But the first bit of good news is that the engine won't be phased out completely, carrying on in the Maybach S650. And what's more is that the Maybach (starting at $198,700) is actually cheaper than the AMG S65 sedan (which carries an MSRP of $229,500). The difference in price is almost enough to buy a CLA 250.

The next bit of good news is that the S63 will live on. Its 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 is smaller and less potent, but the vehicle is actually quicker off the line.

Though it "only" kicks out 604 hp (instead of the S65's 620) and 660 lb-ft of torque (instead of 740), all-wheel drive and a newer transmission help the S63 reach 62 in 3.5 seconds (instead of 4.3).

The final piece to this silver lining is that the twelve-cylinder engine is still alive and well elsewhere in the industry. AMG's engine serves as the basis for the V12s powering the Pagani Huayra and the Aston Martin DB11 and DBS Superleggera. And there are others offering them as well, including Ferrari, Lamborghini, BMW/Rolls-Royce, and Bentley, which produces more W12s than any other twelve-cylinder engine in the business.