Night of the Stars - CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake at the German Grand Prix: A new vehicle concept celebrates its world premiere

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The new Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake has celebrated its world premiere on the "Night of the Stars" at the German Grand Prix. Presented on the eve of the German Grand Prix at the Hockenheim, the unique high-performance vehicle from AMG is the exciting enhancement of an innovative vehicle concept. As an attractive alternative for design-oriented car enthusiasts, the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake combines performance with style and usability in a completely new way. In essence it represents an unprecedented version of a sports car with five seats and a large tailgate. Among the guests attending the event, which was staged along the lines of a fashion show, were the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula 1 drivers as well as the Mercedes-Benz DTM drivers.

The world premiere of the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake at the "Night of the Stars" was effectively staged in the style of a fashion show. Before the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake appeared on the catwalk as the highlight of the show, the Mercedes-Benz Junior Team also presented the new A-Class: DTM drivers Roberto Merhi, Christian Vietoris and Robert Wickens drove onto the stage in the new A 250 Sport "engineered by AMG" model. They were soon followed by Susie Wolff in the SLK 55 AMG, Ralf Schumacher in the SL 65 AMG "45th ANNIVERSARY" model, as well as Gary Paffett and Jamie Green at the wheel of the new G 63 AMG.

AMG brand ambassadors David Coulthard and Mika Häkkinen then introduced the first public appearance of the "Edition 1 " variant of the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake. To round off the exclusive vehicle presentation, this "Shooting Star" of the evening drove down the catwalk before stopping on a revolving stage where it could be admired by all of the guests. Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Board Member of Mercedes-Benz Cars responsible for Sales and Marketing, and Ola Källenius, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmbH, presented the highlights of the new CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake in a subsequent interview.

The exclusive evening event held in the Mercedes-Benz theme area at the Hockenheimring also cast the spotlight on numerous members from the world of Mercedes motorsport. Norbert Haug, Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, and Ross Brawn, Team Principal, were also in attendance as guests, along with MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula 1 drivers Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg.

Our Formula 1 drivers as master engine builders at Mercedes-AMG

An exceptional highlight of the premiered vehicle was the AMG 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine in the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake "Edition 1", which had been assembled by Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg during their visit to Mercedes-AMG in Affalterbach on 18 July 2012. In doing so they changed the traditional AMG philosophy of "one man, one engine" slightly to "one team, one engine", as they helped to assemble the highly efficient eight-cylinder M 157 engine, which produces 410 kW (557 hp).

The Formula One stars received expert help with installing the eight cylinders from AMG master engine builder Jens Zeitke. In addition to the signature of the master engine builder, the high-performance V8 engine also bears the signatures of Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg on the AMG engine badge.

Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg were especially pleased that their hard work was serving a particularly good cause: the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake "Edition 1" is to be auctioned off as part of the TV fundraising gala "A Heart for Children", which is to be held on 15 December 2012.

Ola Källenius, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmbH: "The CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake is establishing a completely new vehicle segment and is expected to delight new customers just as much as existing AMG enthusiasts. The exciting combination of performance, style and usability is unique. The special feature of our vehicle which has been premiered this evening is the fact that Nico and Michael fitted the cylinders in the AMG 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine during their visit to AMG in Affalterbach – in line with the slightly modified philosophy of "one team, one engine". With their help we are very pleased to be supporting such a good cause."

Norbert Haug, Vice President, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport: "The CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake has every quality needed to become a star. The Night of the Stars offers a great, sporty environment in which to give this unique car its world premiere.”

Mika Häkkinen: "Sporty cars have many attractions. But as a father, you soon learn to appreciate the practical side of a vehicle too. For me, the new CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake combines both of these strengths perfectly."

David Coulthard: "With maximum power of 410 kW (557 hp), the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake "Edition 1" delivers everything you could ever want in a road car."

111 years of Mercedes motorsport

There was also another special reason to celebrate at the "Night of the Stars" – 111 years of Mercedes motorsport since the first Mercedes victory at the "Nice Speed Week" in 1901. In this anniversary year, Nico Rosberg achieved the first Silver Arrow victory of the modern era at his 111th Formula 1 start in China on 15 April 2012. At the same time this also marked the 111th Mercedes Grand Prix victory since Mercedes-Benz became involved in motorsport activities.

CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake – performance, style and usability

Mercedes-AMG is once again demonstrating its qualities as a visionary by establishing a completely new market segment with the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake. The new AMG high-performance vehicle is the exciting enhancement of an innovative vehicle concept. As an attractive alternative for design-oriented car enthusiasts, the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake combines performance with style and usability in a new way. Synonymous with the dynamism which is typical of AMG are features such as the highly efficient AMG 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine with a power output of 386 kW (525 hp), the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission and the AMG RIDE CONTROL sports suspension. The generous interior and luggage compartment with a volume of up to 1550 litres reveal the practical sides of the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake. In addition to attractive optional extras from the AMG Performance Studio to enhance the driving dynamics even further, another unique highlight is the designo wooden luggage compartment floor. And as a truly exceptional offering there is also the limited CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake "Edition 1" boasting some particularly exclusive appointment features and an engine output of 410 kW (557 hp).

The market launch of the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake and the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake "Edition 1" will commence in October 2012. The following is an overview of pricing for Germany (incl. 19% VAT):

- CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake: €117,512.50
- CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake "Edition 1": €128,639

* Official photos and details courtesy of Mercedes-AMG GmbH *

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