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Mercedes CLS 63 AMG

Firebreathing version of all-new four-door coupé promises the ultimate driving experience

Mercedes CLS 63 AMG front

By Dan Strong

January 2011

“This,” says AMG’s boss Ola Källenius, “is our company’s 
most important new car.” A big billing indeed for a model that comes hot on the heels of the brilliant gullwing SLS.

But as it’s powered by the Mercedes tuning division’s new twin-turbo 5.5-litre V8 engine, and has the latest chassis and gearbox technology, it’s easy to see what’s riding on a successful launch. The newcomer sets a template for AMG’s future plans.

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the Mercedes CLS

 

The firm is promising a 
greater focus on behind-the-wheel appeal. Källenius adds: “AMG is all about the driving experience. Our products are 
not pieces of jewellery.”

Has the company delivered? The answer is yes. The CLS 63 
is AMG’s best driver’s car yet.

Straight-line performance is incredible, the looks brutal and the engine note distinctive. But most importantly, the model’s 
suspension and steering combine to offer a driving experience that feels as rewarding around town as it does on the open road.

In standard trim, the hand-built engine offers 525bhp and 700Nm of torque. It’s also available with 
a performance pack that boosts output to 557bhp and 800Nm. 

Smooth and potent, the V8 feels refined right the way through its 6,500rpm rev range. It sounds great, too, with a deep exhaust note that crackles and pops as you lift off the throttle. Stop-start is standard, helping to save fuel. 

AMG’s seven-speed gearbox also impresses, offering fast changes and evenly spaced ratios that make the most of the power 
on offer. On the motorway, the performance means overtaking is easy.

And while the electronically controlled suspension is firm, 
it’s not uncomfortable and 
irons out big bumps.

On more challenging, winding roads, the CLS’s ability to absorb imperfections helps to provide supreme mid-corner stability. 
Of course, with so much power on offer, it’s easy to spin up the rear wheels on the way out of 
corners, causing the traction 
control system to momentarily take hold of the throttle and 
stop the car sliding sideways.

For really keen drivers, a host 
of buttons on the centre console will help fine-tune the handling further. The steering and gearbox have Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus settings, while another 
button adjusts the stiffness of 
the suspension. With everything turned up to the maximum, the CLS feels ready for the race track, offering more steering feedback and quicker gearchanges.

The brakes are impressive, 
too, particularly if you choose 
the optional carbon ceramic discs. Fade-free and powerful, they quickly scrub off speed.

But the real star quality of the CLS is the breadth of its appeal. If this car shines a light on AMG’s future, we can’t wait to get our hands on what’s coming next.

Rival: Audi RS7
Upcoming supercoupé will deliver big thrills from a rumoured 580bhp 5.2-litre V10. Dramatic styling will make it even more in-your-face than the CLS.

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6 Comments

I'm not sure what you mean by makes passing on the motorway is effortless. Around here, passing on the motorway means leaving the queue in the lane you're in and joining the queue in the next lane up, you can do that as easily in a Ford Focus as a 525 bhp AMG. I'd be more interested to hear whether you got around to overtaking anyone on the challenging winding roads.

By fleabane on 18 January, 2011, 10:10am

Passing

Passing. As in passing other cars... And yes, you can overtake on winding roads too. Throttle response is very good, and despite the fact that the engine is turbocharged, there is very little in the way of lag.

By DanStrong2 on 18 January, 2011, 10:52am

If all you seem to have for the car is praise, why only a 4 star rating?

By fanboy on 18 January, 2011, 9:37pm

Why only four stars? It's an £80,000 car. It should be that good. What's more, accomplished rivals, including BMW's 5-Series, and the Audi RS5 both achieve almost as much for less.

By DanStrong2 on 19 January, 2011, 2:00pm

Another over powered planet muncher

Why do we get so excited about these overpowered, overweight monsters? The standard car produces more than enough performance for the road. The original CLS looked fabulous - this re-hash has lost the original design purity - bright red does it no favours either.

By penncv3 on 20 January, 2011, 9:27am

fleabane - "I'm not sure what you mean by makes passing on the motorway is effortless"

They mean it's fast.

By Mario on 21 January, 2011, 10:36am

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Mercedes CLS 63 AMG front
Mercedes CLS 63 AMG rear
Mercedes CLS 63 AMG profile
Mercedes CLS 63 AMG gearstick
Mercedes CLS 63 AMG interior
Mercedes CLS 63 AMG engine

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FIRST OPINION

    The CLS 63’s imposing looks wrap around a beautifully crafted interior – but it’s the performance and handling of this spectacular 525bhp muscle car that stand out. It’s the best roadgoing model AMG has ever produced, and feels effortlessly fast and stable. Fuel consumption has also been improved; AMG claims the new twin-turbo is 30 per cent more economical than the firm’s naturally aspirated 6.3-litre V8. 

 

AT A GLANCE

    Price: £80,605 
    Engine: 5.5-litre turbocharged V8
    Power/torque: 525bhp/700Nm
    0-62mph: 4.3 seconds
    Top speed: 155mph (limited)
    Economy: 29mpg (combined)
    CO2: 232g/km
    Equipment: Electronically adaptive suspension, electric windows, AMG-badged leather sports seats, gearknob and steering wheel, 19-inch alloys, sports exhausts, tail spoiler
    On sale: June 2011
     
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