   2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG. Click image to enlarge |
In Sport and Sport + modes, handling is flatter and shock rebound is quicker providing more car control when driving very fast. In Comfort mode, handling is still very good and better than most drivers will ever need. For this reason, I would recommend driving in Comfort mode most of the time, as the ride is not as punishing. But even in Comfort mode, the ride is stiff and certainly not as comfortable as it is in the CLS550. Potential buyers should take the CLS63 for a ride over a bumpy road before plunking down their money.
Under acceleration, the twin-turbo engine lets out a snarly V8 growl from the rear exhaust tips, but very little noise from under the hood. Acceleration is exhilarating with fantastic passing performance, leaving other cars “in the dust”, so to speak. While cruising, the engine is barely audible and there’s very little wind noise. Depending on the pavement, there is some tire noise from the big Contis, but overall, the cabin is quiet.
The CLS63’s new electro-mechanical variable assist steering offers very light effort when parking, but is firm and responsive at high speeds. Manoeuvrability is enhanced by a tight turning circle diameter of 11.3 metres (37.1 ft.). The standard disc brakes are truly awesome hauling this car down from high speed in seconds; optional ceramic brakes with red brake calipers are available for the enthusiast.
Like other Mercedes’ models, the CLS63 AMG is equipped with all the latest safety features, and for 2012, this includes new Active Blind Spot Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist. Active Blind Spot Assist warns the driver with a warning sound when radar sensors detect a car in the blind spot when changing lanes. Should the driver ignore the warnings, Active Blind Spot Assist will automatically apply braking force to the wheels on the opposite side, pushing the car away from a potential collision.
      2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG. Click image to enlarge |
Active Lane Keeping Assist, now linked to the stability control system, senses when a driver is drifting into another lane and vibrates the steering wheel and flashes a warning. If the driver doesn’t take action, the system prevents drivers from drifting over a solid line into another lane by braking the opposite wheels. In the case of broken lane markings, the driver just gets a warning.
While driving the CLS63, I didn’t get the feeling that “the car was doing the driving for me.” These intervention systems are designed to be a last resort if the driver doesn’t do anything, for whatever reason.
Other standard safety features include Attention Assist drowsiness monitor, Pre-Safe crash predictor, roll-over sensor, front, side, knee, pelvic and curtain airbags, active head restraints, and telematics system.
The CLS63 AMG is the first car with standard LED headlamps – 71 LED bulbs provide light that is closest to the colour temperature of daylight, according to the manufacturer, and they last five times longer than bi-xenon lights. In addition, the LED headlights feature Mercedes’ Adaptive Highbeam Assist which automatically lowers and raises the high beams as other cars approach and depart.
As before, the CLS63 AMG remains a four-passenger sedan with a centre divider between the rear seats that includes two storage bins with sliding covers. Front headroom and legroom is generous, but rear headroom is just adequate for adults up to about 5’ 10”, while rear legroom is adequate. The car’s sloping roof design over the rear doors means that rear passengers must duck under the roof to get in and out.
The new interior features high quality leather, wood and plastic materials and is available in black, alpaca grey and almond beige colour schemes. Notable AMG features are multi-adjustable front sports seats with seat heaters, a new three-spoke AMG steering wheel with aluminum shift paddles and flat top and bottom sections, a console mounted shift lever with a special AMG shift knob, and console buttons for driver selectable performance and suspension modes. As with other Mercedes models, an aluminum control dial near the shift lever activates the audio and navigation functions in the centre screen. Behind the steering wheel is a bright information display with navigation, audio and vehicle systems that can be accessed using the scroll button on the steering wheel.
Standard luxury features include a 14-speaker Harman/Kardon surround sound system with Dolby 5.1, in dash 6-disc CD/DVD changer, a 40-GB hard-drive navigation system, SD card reader, Bluetooth, iPod interface, Sirius satellite radio, sunroof, dual-zone climate control, electric tilt/telescope steering wheel, and power rear sunshade. One ergonomic faux pas I noticed was that the front cupholders are placed directly in front of the climate controls, obscuring them when cups or bottles are placed there.
The CLS63’s carpeted 15.3 cu. ft. trunk includes Mercedes clever collapsible storage box to keep loose items from sliding around the trunk. Split folding rear seatbacks and a power closing feature also contribute to its functionality.
Curiously, the high-performance CLS63 AMG will go on sale in Canada this Summer, sooner than the equally-new CLS550 4Matic which lands on Canadian shores this Fall. Canadian prices weren’t announced, but based on MB Canada’s recent pricing policies, I expect the price will remain the same or drop from its current $121,300 MSRP.
