D r ive Te st the paddles are positioned too close
The driving experience is further height-
to the steering wheel and I often found
ened thanks to the Direct-Steer system
myself clutching them when not making
that, with its variable ratio depending on
use of the DIRECT SELECT function.
steering angle, helps to ensure a more
Fuel consumption and carbon emis-
direct response when cornering, and
sions have been reduced by 3%.
therefore more responsive handling.
Keeping all that manic power in check
Based on the ADAPTIVE BRAKE sys-
are a number of superbly advanced
tem, the AMG high-performance brak-
driver aids. The S63 AMG rides on
ing system continues to provide opti-
an AMG sports suspension with Active Body Control (ABC) that provides crosswind stabilisation as standard equipment for the first time, effectively compensating for and, in the case of strong gusts, reducing the influence of crosswinds to a minimum by adjusting the wheel load distribution within milliseconds, using the yaw-rate and lateral acceleration sensors of the Electronic Stability Program (ESP). Also making up the standard equipment on the S63 AMG is the new Torque Vectoring Brake, an additional feature of the ESP. When cornering, brief direct application of the brakes has an effect on the vehicle’s inner rear wheel so that the car corners precisely and under control at all times, noticeably improving responsiveness but also active handling safety in critical conditions.
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DRIVE M AGAZINE DECEM BER 2009