2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Accelerated Indulgence

The Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG has more power than anyone will ever need and costs way more than its understated exterior would imply.

Interior

The S65 AMG’s cabin is reminiscent of a high-end wristwatch boutique: It's a glowing, impeccably detailed showcase for the latest in precision engineering. Hand-polished burled walnut trim is matched to lovely bright metalwork, and it’s all topped with a suede-like headliner (called Alcantara). Ambient lighting, adjustable to your taste, spills from recesses in the dashboard and doors, a feature that’s being mimicked by other automakers.

AMG touches include special instruments, a clock provided by watchmaker IWC, and Nappa leather sport seats. An excellent 14-speaker, 600-watt Harman Kardon sound system provides the in-cabin soundtrack along with Sirius satellite radio.

Seperate climate controls for driver, and front and rear passengers are standard, along with keyless entry and start, a rear-view camera to making backing up an easy task, and bi-xenon headlamps that swivel to illuminate curves.

Mercedes’ multi-contour seats are among the most supportive and comfortable we’ve tested in any vehicle. There are such an overwhelming number of adjustments, including a massage feature in four combinations of speed and strength, that Mercedes puts the controls in the COMAND system, a centralized screen and rotary knob used to access numerous vehicle functions.

Like BMW's often-vilified iDrive system, the COMAND interface remains cumbersome. Chores that should be simple take more effort than necessary, including setting radio presets and operating the navigation system.

The Pre-Safe system works in conjunction with radar-based Distronic cruise control to take action in the event of an accident, closing windows to support the curtain air bags, cinching seat belts tight, and adjusting the front passenger seat (and optional rear power seats) to a position that provides optimal crash protection.

The S65 AMG and S600 feature adaptive brake lights that flash quickly during emergency braking, potentially alerting a driver following behind to make a quicker stop.

Less impressive is the NightView Assist feature. Switch it on, and an enhanced black-and-white view of the darkened street fills the driver’s instrument panel. It supposedly helps drivers spot pedestrians or other lurking dangers, but in practice it’s clever for all of 10 minutes. You almost immediately learn to tune out the image and keep your focus on the road and the real task of driving. Along with BMW’s competing system, it’s one of the most gimmicky features available in an automobile.

Most of the items on a short list of Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG options are standard on the far less costly S600, including Distronic adaptive cruise control, a panorama sunroof, a heated steering wheel, and active rear seats featuring heating, cooling, and multi-contour adjustments. These options, together with a $2,600 gas guzzler tax, add up to over $10,000 and push the S65 AMG’s price tag over $200,000.