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Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG 2011 Review

The CLS 63 AMG, if you can afford it, is without peer.

Maybe it's just the superb engine but Benz's new CLS 63 AMG hits the spot.

Released this week Benz has tidied up the styling of its four-door coupe, with a sleeker more aggressive interpretation of the swoopy original.

The V8 has been upgraded with more power and torque and there is now a diesel for those buyers who appreciate the more relaxed mode of motoring — and the number is growing with each passing year.

VALUE

Competitors? The CLS has none really.

The closest are probably BMW's ugly GT or perhaps the Audi A7, although we haven't really seen a performance version of either car yet.

Benz was the first in this segment and it has struck the first blow again with the release of the second generation CLS.

Initially there are two models from which to choose: a 3.0-litre six cylinder turbo diesel (the 350CDI) priced from $159,200 and the top of the range CLS 63 AMG, with a 5.5-litre biturbo V8 priced from $263,500.

Launched in 2004, needless to say the four-door, four seat CLS includes plenty of hi-tech toys, like the LED head lights which are the first full LED setup in the world and made up of 71 separate high output, low consumption LED globes.

The CLS is also the first Benz to get lightweight, frameless aluminium doors, adaptive brakes prime themselves as soon as you remove your foot from the accelerator and the steering is now electro-mechanical instead of the old hydraulic system.

There's even 11 airbags to keep you safe in the event of an accident — count them.

By the way the performance pack if can you can't live without it will set you back an extra $17,900 and lifts the usual 250km/h speed limitation.

TECHNOLOGY

Two other models with petrol engines are expected to arrive later in the year — the CLS 350 BlueEFFICIENCY and CLS 500 BlueEFFICIENCY.

For the time being, the diesel is nice and certainly no slouch, not with 620Nm of torque on call — but the AMG, if you can afford it, is without peer.

The 5.5-litre biturbo V8, a replacement for the 6.2-litre engine, produces 386kW of power and 700Nm of torque in standard form, or 410kW and 800Nm with the performance pack. That's more power and torque than the larger 6.2-litre engine, hailed as the most powerful naturally aspirated V8 in the world.

Pound for pound, the new model is 35kg lighter, faster out of the gates, with 0-100km/h taking 4.4 seconds (or 4.3 seconds with the peformance pack) versus 4.5 seconds for the previous model. And, here's the good bit, it's able to do all this using 30 per cent less fuel, with consumption rated at 10.0 litres 100km vesus 14.5 for the old car.

DRIVING

What's not to like? After driving this car I found myself wondering whether it was the V8 that I was drawn to or the car itself, or the two combined — because they're difficult to separate. The sound from the bi-turbo V8 is nothing short of glorious, providing the driver with huge reserves of power and the ability to overtake at will.

But, if it was performance I was after, I found myself pondering whether it would perhaps be more prudent to buy the C63AMG, saving $100,000 and getting a smaller faster car into the bargain? But then, the V8 in the C-class is a different one. Benz actually produces five different V8s and the one in the C-class is the naturally aspirated 336kW 6.2.

For those interested in economy and who isn't these days, the AMG used 14.5 litres/100km over a distance of 260km while the diesel, rated at 6.2 litres/100km, used just 6.5 litres/100km over the same distance.

MERCEDES-BENZ CLS 63 AMG 

Price:  from $263,500
Engine: 5.5-litre biturbo V8
Power: 386 kW at 5250 rpm
Torque: 700 Nm at 1750 - 5000 rpm
Transmission: AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission
Fuel use: 10 l/100 km
CO2 emissions: 233 g/km
Performance: 0-100km/h 4.4 seconds

Pricing guides

$33,935
Based on third party pricing data
Lowest Price
$24,530
Highest Price
$43,340

Range and Specs

VehicleSpecsPrice*
CLS500 5.5L, PULP, 7 SP AUTO $24,530 – 30,250 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class 2011 CLS500 Pricing and Specs
CLS63 AMG 6.2L, PULP, 7 SP AUTO $36,080 – 42,900 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class 2011 CLS63 AMG Pricing and Specs
CLS500 BE 4.7L, PULP, 7 SP AUTO $26,180 – 32,340 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class 2011 CLS500 BE Pricing and Specs
CLS350 CDI BE 3.0L, Diesel, 7 SP AUTO $25,300 – 31,240 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class 2011 CLS350 CDI BE Pricing and Specs
Chris Riley
Contributing Journalist

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Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication.  Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.