2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG

Let's get one thing: If you're reading this to find out if you need to buy this car, $ 130.000, the answer is yes. Everyone should have one if not two, as well as Interstate 500-HP guns parked in the garage.



CLS63 AMG Base comes with a direct injection twin-turbo 5.5-liter V-8 producing an ample 518 horsepower and 516 lb.-ft., more than enough for the average Joe. We and they are not average. For people like us, people like us, but with real money instead of the imaginary fortunes Mercedes-AMG performance package offers. Costs $ 7,300 option package on the mileage until the mid-90-S classes that are more affordable. Unlike cars, however, the AMG group includes red brake calipers, sport suspension, spoiler and engine gaskets of carbon fiber, and most importantly, a power stroke 550 hp 590 lb-ft. The governor was raised from 155 mph to 186, too. If you can pay $ 95 775 from the starting price CLS63, choose the performance package of the old class S.







Management of all that power is AMG Speedshift MCT seven-speed, which is also used in C63, E63, SL63, CL63 and S63. It looks like the seven-speed automatic in non-AMG benzene, with the wet clutch pack instead of a torque converter to couple the engine and transmission is the biggest difference. City driving, MCT provides a smooth start and smooth transition as a torque converter. Twist transmission in automatic mode to switch between sports and more sports, and MCT snaps off shifts with a rate almost double clutch and downshift accompanied with a spot on the gas and the exhaust bark empathetic.



Paddle Harder

If any of these conditions, there is almost no reason to use the levers of the CLS. Sports Plus to keep driving until the last minute, but the trans still running and will automatically downshift to keep the ride of the fat powerband. Full control, turn the knob to the manual mode of relaxation. In this position the engine to keep the gears if the driver signals you to change, bouncing up to 6400 rpm redline when the tank dry.



The fifth and perhaps most importantly, the method is to start the race, labeled "RS" on the dial. This is the launch control, and which allows maximum acceleration. Push maximum release requires six steps: Set the stability control in sport mode, the left foot on the brake, turn the knob in the direction trans to RS, RS confirm that you want a slap on the upshift paddle, the agglomeration accelerator on the right foot, lift the left foot. As the Corvette ZR1, the CLS63 AMG uses speed sensors to determine the amount of traction of the tires and the brand are back engine power to match the grip. It works very well and has the advantage of being suitable for any area used for towers commitments that many manufacturers use launch control. Despite the luxury lines of code, however, we managed to overcome it.



Intelligent Pedal

With the stability control turned all the way and use our right foot to control the slippage that CLS63 torn from 60 km / h in 3.8 seconds, 100 in 8.5, and 150 in 19.5. Add 0.1 seconds for the time when the Launch Control is used. The quarter mile was 12.0 seconds away and you go 121 mph. 4275 pound, four-door CLS63 is the dust of a Corvette Grand Sport and hang close to a Z06. Pedestrians watch a pick CLS63 groceries would never know. They will notice the car, but it ensures that style. Because the engine is turbocharged, have much to lament filtered V-8, but not always. It is quiet when you want tranquility, a screamer when you feel a little freaky. Stomp on the gas, and an orchestra of eight-cylinder 32-valve and sings out of the quadruple-double exhaust tip.



A feat more linear while we are: it takes less than a mile from the car to reach 170 mph. Although we did not attempt an ABS stops from that speed, a car equipped like ours can scrub felons speeds down to a simple misdemeanor with ease thanks to the optional carbon-ceramic brakes. These pizza-pie rotors (15.8 inches front, 14.2 rear) to completely fill the 19-inch forged wheels. The giant calipers (six-piston front, four rear) that comes with the package of carbon brake is not red, they are painted gold. It's a constant reminder that their price $ 12 625 may be roughly equivalent to their weight by about 40 percent less than the stock plug-in precious metals. These brakes, in combination with rubber Continental ContiSportContact 5P, brought the animal to stop from 70 km / h on a sports car 159 yards and has never shown even a hint of fade. Ceramic brakes can be Grabby, but they are smooth and feels solid underfoot comfort. They should.



For the cost of wheels and brakes, you could get a 86 560SL convertible. We will take the shoes and hats.



Despite the CLS stop / start system that shuts off the engine when the car is standing down, we have only 16 miles per gallon on average. Linking the city EPA rating cycle and is equal to the rating of 9 mpg highway. The beginning of the process / stop can be a bit slow, with some hesitation in the first step, especially if it comes quickly, for example, turn left across three lanes of traffic. Fortunately, by pressing the green button on the panel off the system.



We happened to rent a race track, while CLS has been with us and could not pass up the opportunity towers Mercedes-Benz so-called "four-door coupe" with a herd of sports cars purebred . CLS is not a monster track. He pushed more than he had when he was on the runway skid, where he established a score of 0.91 g and generally considered too heavy. Despite his determined under management, this is AMG steering naturally in the hand, although a bit heavy at times. The car tracks straight with a center on the feeling that we want every car obsessed.



Option Rights and duties

Inside, among the biggest improvements over the last generation of the CLS is the fourth expansion in the rear. The rear seat is not as committed today, both in space and out, but in the last CLS, which has only two seatbelts. Avoid indoor option is often an easy way to keep costs under control, but the CLS63 package $ 2850 carbon fiber qualifies as a must-have. In addition to the usual door and the seat console, the package includes an all multicurve expensive instrument is one of the most artistic we have seen made of tissue fibers. A 89 190E costs the same as this option and can easily be converted into a taxi, but the carbon pieces look better.







In addition to the above options, this car has been tested in another $ 9,810 in add-ons. Night vision, adaptive cruise control, rear camera, rear side airbags, the list goes on. To keep the $ 9,810 that hypothetical pockets, you could buy a 100 thousand miles S420, if we need space for a fifth person at a certain point. Otherwise, the CLS63 AMG Benz is all we need.