What Mercedes-Benz calls a four-door coupe is really an uber powerful midsize luxury sedan with beautifully expressive styling. Parked at the top of the CLS-Class, the CLS63 AMG serves up blistering performance to complement its memorable looks.
What's New for 2016
A nine-speed automatic transmission replaces last year's seven-speed unit. The newly available Night package provides a black-accented exterior.
Choosing Your Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG
Like most regular coupes, the CLS63 AMG is designed to carry four passengers and features a dramatic sloping roofline. Front occupants enjoy the same level of comfort found in the E-Class sedan (on which the CLS is based), but there's slightly less headroom and smaller windows in the rear. Such are the sacrifices you make to get the enchanting exterior styling.
The 63 AMG's twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8 produces 577 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque, enough to make it shockingly fast. Zero to 60 mph happens in about 3.5 seconds. A specially tuned nine-speed automatic transmission with launch control and all-wheel drive come standard.
You also get a limited-slip differential, 19-inch titanium-finish wheels, an aggressively tuned adaptive suspension, a sport steering wheel with shift paddles, and premium leather upholstery A carbon fiber engine cover is standard, and body components of the same material are available to reduce weight.
Other equipment is similar to non-AMG V8 models, which means you gets heated front seats with lumbar adjustments and driver memory, a navigation system, a sunroof, auto-dimming mirrors all around, Bluetooth phone and audio, voice controls, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system with a six-DVD/CD changer and HD and satellite radio.
The Premium package tacks on adaptive LED headlights with automatic high beams, a power-closing trunk lid, ventilated front seats, a rear power sunshade, and keyless access and ignition. The available Lane Tracking package comes with blind spot monitoring and lane departure warning. The Driver Assistance package includes those features, plus adaptive cruise control and active lane keeping assist. You can also order the Parktronic package with front and rear parking sensors and an automated parking system.
The new Night package gets you specific wheels, tinted rear windows, and plenty of gloss back exterior trim.
The selection of individual options includes infrared night vision, heated rear seats, a rearview camera, massaging front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a premium Bang & Olufsen surround sound system. Available exclusively on the 63 AMG are high-performance carbon-ceramic brakes.
The advanced safety technology in the Driver Assistance package is a wise addition to a car of this ferocious performance potential, especially if you ever intend to lend the keys to a less-experienced driver.