The V12 AMG S65 Is Proof Mercedes Is Dipping Into Bentley Territory

But how does it compare to an actual Bentley?

In the world of the 1 percent there is no such thing as not enough. While those pesky 99 percenters like to go on about how nobody really needs $1 billion, they fail to see that “enough” is not the point. It’s all about excess, and that’s something an automaker like Bentley knows well. But while the British brand has traditionally focused on the upper echelons of the super rich, Mercedes caters to those at the bottom of that tax bracket and in many cases, those who reside outside of it entirely.

However, in a true spirit of excess, the Tri-Star has recently been undergoing a push upwards to sell to the 1 percent and soak up the profits whether large or small. Cars like the Maybach S600 and Maybach S650 Cabriolet are proof of this, but for those too impatient to wait for the latter of the two cars, Mercedes already makes a drop top S-Class that’s fit for a king.

That would be the S65 AMG Cabriolet. While the badge only has a single difference between it and the S63 AMG Cabriolet, the two are separated by a $71,500 gulf and four cylinders. Not that the extra engine space makes for any difference in performance, but Mercedes knows well that the truly wealthy love bragging rights. Speaking of that, how does it compare to the ultimate car for braggers, the Bentley Continental GT Black Edition? While the two cars are nearly equals in terms of price, the Mercedes is refined to the point where it could win over most Bentley owners. However, it's the cumulative experience that dictates the winner, and that may come as a surprise to many.