Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG, new engine and all-wheel drive

Following the definitive facelift of the Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG, the brand with the three-pointed star has revealed the new details of the most sporting and radical version of the CLS, the CLS 63 AMG. Just like its E-Class sibling, the CLS is updated with the introduction of 4MATIC all-wheel drive and the S-Model performance kit.

The four-door coupé and the Shooting Brake will make their official debut next week at the Detroit Motor Show. The rear-wheel-drive model is scheduled to go on sale in our country in April 2013, followed by the all-wheel-drive version and the S-Model in June of this same year.

The engine fitted to the Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG is completely identical to that of the new E 63 AMG, which is logical given that both models share a platform and much of their equipment.

The eight-cylinder V-engine, supercharged by two turbochargers, displaces 5.5 litres and catapults the heart of this German to 557 CV in its entry-level variant. With the S-Model option, power rises to 585 CV delivered at 5,500 rpm with a peak torque of 800 Nm, outperforming high-performance sports cars and saloons such as the Ferrari 458 Italia, the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 or its most direct rival, the Porsche Panamera Turbo S.

With rear-wheel drive, available only for the less powerful coupé, the 0 to 100 km/h sprint takes 4.2 seconds, while choosing the AMG 4MATIC with the S-Model kit improves this to 3.6 seconds. These figures place it among the best supercars of the moment.

In the all-wheel-drive system, the transfer case is integrated into the seven-speed automatic gearbox with the sole aim of saving space. The latter offers four driving modes: Controlled Efficiency (“D”), Sport (“S”), Sport Plus (“S+”) and Manual (“M”). To perform standing starts with maximum acceleration and traction available, the car is equipped with the Race Start system.

Source | Mercedes-Benz