Mercedes-AMG S65 Final Edition Marks The Imminent Demise Of AMG’s V12

Mercedes-Benz will say farewell to its iconic 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 engine in the S-Class sedan with the presentation of the S65 Final Edition at the Geneva Motor Show.

Much like the Mercedes-Benz SLC Final Edition also heading to Geneva, the S65 Final Edition represents a somber moment in the history of the German car manufacturer. The V12 powering the sedan is utterly iconic but is reaching its final days due to tightening fuel economy regulations around the world.

Official images of the Mercedes-AMG S65 Final Edition have yet to be released but the vehicle will likely include some special badges to denote its significance. Other than that, it will be virtually the same as ‘regular’ S65 AMG models.

When production of the S65 Final Edition has run its course, the S-Class sedan will join the G65 and SL65 on the deathbed with AMG’s V12 engine. Future range-topping AMG models will instead feature a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine.

Fortunately, the Mercedes-AMG V12 isn’t dead just yet. Coupe and Convertible variants of the S-Class can still be ordered with the 6.5-liter mill but these models will soon be ditched for good when the next-generation S-Class launches.

Speaking about the slow demise of its V12 last year, AMG boss Tobias Moers told Car and Driver that manufacturing of the engine will continue but it will be restricted to vehicles from the Maybach brand. This means that those desperate to cling on to the 18-year-old M279 engine with its 621 hp and 738 lb-ft (1000 Nm) of torque will be able to do so. They’ll just have to fork over Maybach money for the privilege.