The new Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake: The performance trendsetter

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Mercedes-AMG is once again demonstrating its qualities as a visionary, this time 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 completely new way. Synonymous with the dynamism which is typical of AMG are features such as the AMG 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine with a power output range of from 386 kW (525 hp) to 410 kW (557 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 time-limited CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake "Edition 1" boasting an additional 24 kW (32 hp) of power and 100 Nm of torque as well as some particularly exclusive appointment features.

Mercedes-AMG is showing courage and with the new CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake is presenting a performance trendsetter in a new market segment. The CLS 55 AMG already had no direct competitors back in 2004. The first four-door performance Coupé inspired other automotive manufacturers and over the years has come to be copied many times. The successor model presented in 2006, the CLS 63 AMG with an AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine, and the current CLS 63 AMG with the 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine available since 2011, have consistently continued this strategy.

According to Ola Källenius, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmbH: "After the successes of the CLS 55 AMG and CLS 63 AMG, with the new CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake we are consistently pursuing the philosophy of offering our customers unrivalled, exciting high-performance cars. The CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake is establishing a completely new, small and select niche sector, and is expected to delight new customers just as much as it will existing AMG enthusiasts. The combination of performance, style and usability is unique."

AMG 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine producing up to 410 kW (557 hp)

The AMG 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine impresses with a combination of direct petrol injection with spray-guided combustion, piezo injectors, biturbocharging, air/water intercooling, generator management and ECO start/stop function.

The eight-cylinder engine is the embodiment of pure dynamism and high efficiency: offering power output and torque levels of 386 kW (525 hp) and 700 Nm respectively, the effortless superiority of the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake can be enjoyed by the driver over every single kilometre. In conjunction with the Edition 1 these figures are pushed to 410 kW (557 hp) and 800 Nm. Both variants offer driving performance of the highest calibre: accelerating from zero to 100 km/h takes 4.4 and 4.3 seconds respectively, and the top speed is 250 km/h (electronically limited).

Effortlessly superior power delivery, low fuel consumption

Despite offering dynamism similar to that of a sports car, the consumption figures are maintained at a low level. Fuel consumption of 10.1 litres per 100 kilometres (NEDC) corresponds to a CO2 output of 235 g/km and is identical for both power units. The driving experience in the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake is characterised by high levels of agility through all engine speed ranges. The absolutely effortlessly superior power delivery can also be heard by the driver too: the sports exhaust system with chrome twin tailpipes emits a sonorous eight-cylinder engine sound typical of AMG.


The key data at a glance:

AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission – individual and flexible

The AMG eight-cylinder engine is not the only highlight – the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission also boasts exciting levels of performance and efficiency. Equipped with four individual transmission modes as well as automatic double declutching and RACE START functions, its power delivery is characterised by responsiveness and maximum variability. In "Controlled Efficiency" (C) mode, the ECO start/stop function is always enabled and switches the eight-cylinder engine off when the vehicle is at a standstill. In "S" (Sport), "S+" (Sport plus) and "M" (Manual) transmission modes, the engine and transmission are significantly more responsive: short, precisely defined interruptions of ignition and injection result in faster gear changes under full load.

The suspension, steering and braking system of the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake complement the high-tech drive system perfectly. The AMG RIDE CONTROL sports suspension, with steel suspension struts on the front axle and air suspension struts on the rear axle, as well as automatic level control, is enhanced further by an electronically controlled damping system; it automatically adjusts the damping characteristics depending on the driving conditions and reduces the roll angle of the body. The effect of this is lightning-fast adjustment between optimum driving comfort and the best possible agility. The driver can switch between the three suspension modes of "Comfort", "Sport" and "Sport plus" at the press of a button. The 3-stage -ESP® with SPORT Handling mode also enables three individual control strategies to be selected at the press of a button.

The AMG-specific front and rear axles with greater negative camber and optimised elastokinematics help to provide more stability at higher cornering speeds as well as better contact with the road. The front axle, with a track width which is 56 mm wider, is the optimum match for the electromechanical AMG sports parameter steering. It features a more direct ratio, variable power assistance which adapts according to the suspension mode, and also contributes towards reducing fuel consumption since the steering assistance system only draws power when the vehicle is actually being steered.

Optional AMG ceramic high-performance composite braking system

Perfect deceleration even when driving extremely briskly is provided by the AMG high-performance braking system with 360 mm ventilated and perforated brake discs all-round. Particularly resistant, motorsports-tested composite technology is used on the front axle. The optional AMG ceramic high-performance composite braking system with yet larger brake discs and specially painted brake callipers with "AMG Carbon Ceramic" lettering ensures an even higher level of braking performance as well as lower unsprung masses. Good contact with the road, meanwhile, comes courtesy of the titanium grey-painted, high-sheen AMG light-alloy wheels featuring a triple-spoke design and fitted with 255/35 R 19 tyres on the front and 285/30 R 19 tyres on the rear.

Distinctive, sporty and dominant: the sensational design

The excitingly elegant design idiom of a sensational vehicle design is combined in the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake with a distinctly sporty sense of dominance. Its high levels of performance are visibly expressed in such elements as the powerful AMG front apron with cross strut finished in high-gloss black, the AMG radiator grille with single slat and the AMG-specific design of the bonnet.

Further dynamic highlights also include the original, broader front wings with "V8 BITURBO" lettering, the AMG-specific rear apron with diffuser look and the AMG sports exhaust system with two chrome twin tailpipes. High-performance LED headlamps including Intelligent Light System and adaptive Highbeam Assist are fitted as standard.

Extensive appointments, exclusive atmosphere

From the quality of materials and workmanship through to the exclusive atmosphere, the interior of the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake meets the very highest of standards. AMG sports seats in nappa leather with multicontour seat and memory functions, AMG black piano lacquer trim and the AMG-specific analogue clock featuring an IWC design all help to create a unique aura. The driver is also kept perfectly and fully informed too thanks to the AMG instrument cluster with AMG main menu including RACETIMER and AMG start-up screen.

The transmission modes, suspension setup, ESP® functions and the AMG program can all be configured via the AMG DRIVE UNIT with E-SELECT selector lever – a special feature exclusive to AMG – which is integrated into the centre console and angled towards the driver. Visually striking, ergonomic and reassuringly tactile: the AMG Performance steering wheel in nappa leather features a three-spoke design with flattened top and bottom sections, a special shape, perforated leather finish and silver coloured aluminium shift paddles. A newly introduced feature on all AMG vehicles is the chrome-look electronic key with AMG emblem.

designo wooden luggage compartment floor in American cherry

A highlight among the extensive range of optional extras is the designo wooden luggage compartment floor. This luggage compartment floor is made of open-pore American cherry wood, a decorative fine wood traditionally used in superior interior design work, high-quality furniture and exclusive ship outfitting applications. Selected veneer sheets are glued and pressed together by hand in cross-bonded layers to achieve high dimensional stability. The blanks are milled into their precise shape using a CNC machine, and the surfaces sanded to a smooth finish, waterproofed and oiled to highlight the natural beauty of the wood.

Inlaid work using darker smoked oak, precisely cut into three millimetre strips using laser technology, helps to enhance the design of the wooden floor. The aluminium rails, manufactured using an extrusion moulding process, have a brushed finish as well as rubber inserts, and not only help to protect the wooden floor but also feature anti-slip properties.

Additional optional extras from designo include:

- designo metallic paint finish available in three colours

- designo magno paint finish available in two colours

- designo leather available in ten colours

- designo roof lining in DINAMICA microfibre, available in three colours

The AMG Performance Studio offers products for even greater driving dynamics and exclusivity

To increase driving dynamics and exclusivity even further, customers can also opt for optional extras from the AMG Performance Studio:

- AMG Exterior Carbon-Fibre package

- AMG trim elements in carbon fibre/black piano lacquer

- AMG ceramic high-performance composite braking system

- AMG rear axle differential lock

- white Illuminated AMG door sill panels at the front

- lightweight forged AMG light-alloy wheels featuring a 5-twin-spoke design, painted in titanium grey with a high-sheen finish, and fitted with 255/35 R 19 tyres at the front and 285/30 R 19 tyres at the rear

- AMG light-alloy wheels in a 10-spoke design, painted in matt black with a high-sheen rim flanges, and fitted with 255/35 R 19 tyres at the front and 285/30 R 19 tyres at the rear

Also optionally available for the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake is the Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG high-end surround sound system with 16-channel DSP amplifier, ICEpower amplifier, total output of 1200 watts and 14 high-end loudspeakers.

"Edition 1" as an aesthetic and very individual model

At the start of its market launch the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake will also be available as an "Edition 1" variant offering even more power and torque: the exceptionally exclusive appointment features of the "Edition 1" highlight the vehicle's exciting aesthetics and individuality to impressive effect. The special model includes a number of high-quality details:

- designo magno allanite grey paint finish

- increase in power output to 410 kW (557 hp) and torque to 800 Nm

- designo platinum white pearl leather with metallised finish for the AMG sports seats, armrests in the doors, front and rear centre console as well as the door centre panels

- AMG trim elements in carbon fibre/black piano lacquer

- designo roof lining in black DINAMICA microfibre

- velour floor mats with designo leather surround in platinum white pearl and designo metal badges (only in conjunction with designo platinum white pearl leather upholstery)

Also optionally available at no extra cost is the single-tone Exclusive PASSION leather upholstery in black, including dashboard and beltlines finished in nappa leather. This also includes matching designo velour floor mats in black.

The market launches of the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake and the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake "Edition 1" will commence in October 2012.

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

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