Mercedes-AMG S 65 Cabriolet

Core summary

The S 65 Cabriolet is the V12 flagship: rear-wheel drive and seven-speed TCT, not the S 63’s 4MATIC+ and nine-speed package.

The A217 S 65 Cabriolet combines a twin-turbo V12 with four seats and a fabric roof. Its appeal is the unusual completeness of that combination, not a promise that it will outperform every smaller, lighter car.

Cariary regards it as a deliberate luxury and engine-character purchase. If the principal goal is the lowest cost per unit of performance, the reasoning has already moved away from what makes this car special.

History & generations

Mercedes-AMG announced the S 65 Cabriolet in 2015, and the 2017 update brought revised styling to the range. Early and facelift photographs should be identified rather than blended into an imaginary single-year car.

The gallery includes an early show car and a facelift example with the vertical-slat grille. Both are open-top A217s, not S-Class saloons or fixed-roof coupes.

Body, platform & design

The long bonnet and open four-seat cabin give the S 65 a luxury-touring stance. The facelift's grille and the visible V12 badging in the gallery help illustrate the model, but identity still needs documentary confirmation when purchasing.

Check the dimensions against your parking space. A large open-top car needs room not only for its body but also for doors, luggage access and comfortable entry.

Engine & drivetrain

The 2017 Cabriolet table specifies a 5,980 cc twin-turbo V12 at 463 kW/630 PS and 1,000 Nm, driving the rear wheels through a seven-speed AMG TCT automatic. Mercedes lists 4.1 seconds to 100 km/h for that reference.

Do not copy the S 63's nine-speed MCT and 4MATIC+ specification across to the S 65. The higher number in the name does not mean the same drivetrain with more output.

Trim differences

An S 560 or S 63 fitted with visual upgrades is not an S 65. Confirm the VIN, engine identity and equipment documentation before placing value on badges or grille styling.

Originality, maintenance and functional condition should lead the comparison. An extensive options list is less persuasive when several of its expensive functions need repair.

Interior & seating

The four-seat cabin is central to the S 65's purpose, but it remains a two-door convertible rather than an S-Class saloon with its roof removed. Rear entry and luggage arrangements deserve a practical trial.

Test seat adjustment, heating, ventilation, climate control and infotainment thoroughly. Luxury equipment is valuable only when it works reliably and fits the way the car will be used.

Efficiency & range

The V12 is not an economy proposition. Fuel cost should be planned alongside insurance, tyres, brakes and specialist servicing, rather than presented as the single penalty for choosing twelve cylinders.

Before buying, obtain realistic local maintenance quotations. An affordable advertised price does not convert flagship-level parts and labour into ordinary compact-car expenses.

Safety & equipment

Rear-wheel drive and very high torque make suitable tyres and measured use essential. Do not mistake electronic assistance for freedom from road-surface and weather limitations.

Check recall and repair records, warning messages and the installed assistance functions. A specialist inspection should include the convertible and restraint systems as well as the engine.

Strengths

The S 65 provides a rare combination of V12 powertrain and four-seat open-air luxury. That is a clear identity, and a buyer need not justify it by inventing a track-focused purpose.

It makes most sense when the owner values the entire experience and has the resources to keep it healthy, rather than treating it as a discounted way to obtain a high horsepower figure.

Considerations

The Cabriolet's AMG air-suspension arrangement should not be confused with the S 65 coupe's different chassis description. Ask a specialist to investigate uneven ride height, warnings or abnormal behaviour.

Inspect roof operation, seals, water ingress and electrical functions. A clean exterior and low mileage cannot establish the health of a complicated luxury convertible.

Recommended use

A personal grand tourer for open-air journeys where the engine and cabin are part of the attraction. Check luggage fit with the roof partition in place and assess comfort with the roof closed as well.

If the desired experience is simply a comfortable Mercedes convertible, test an S 560 too. The V12 should be a positive reason to buy the S 65, not an expensive detail discovered after purchase.

Rivals & related

The S 63 Cabriolet is the closest internal performance alternative but uses a different V8 drivetrain. Compare actual model years, chassis and maintenance records rather than ranking by badge.

A Bentley Continental GTC is a relevant luxury-touring comparison, while smaller convertibles trade some grandeur for easier packaging. None should be chosen solely from acceleration or cylinder count.

FAQ

Does it use 4MATIC+? The 2017 S 65 Cabriolet reference is rear-wheel drive.

Does it have nine gears? No, it uses seven-speed AMG TCT.

Is the engine six litres exactly? Nominally six litres; the stated displacement is 5,980 cc.

Is the coupe chassis description interchangeable? No. Body-specific suspension and equipment must be checked separately.

Sources & updates

Manufacturer publications linked below provide the dated model and technical references. The buying assessments are Cariary editorial analysis, not a claimed first-hand road test. Photographs are independently credited, with early and facelift appearances identified where relevant. Equipment and homologated figures must be checked against the individual vehicle’s market and model year.

• Mercedes-AMG — S 65 Cabriolet introduction →
• Mercedes-AMG — 2017 S 65 Cabriolet technical table →
• Photograph — White facelift AMG S 65 Cabriolet with V12 badge →Matti Blume; CC BY-SA 4.0

Last editorial review: September 20, 2026. Specifications remain market- and model-year-specific.