It accelerates from 0-100km/h in a blistering 4.1 seconds. Think exceptional technology married to astonishing power and performance, sprinkled liberally with good old-fashioned grunt and a howling V8 motor – all in one slick package. That’s the Mercedes Benz CLS 63 AMG S-Model.
Story by Peta Lee
The newly facelifted model landed on South African shores mere weeks ago. It is, arguably, one of the most droolworthy models to emerge from the famed Teutonic stable.
Visually, the AMG high-performance model looks not only more beautiful, but more dominant and athletic than ever before. It’s distinguished by the striking hallmark AMG design features on the front section (the twin-blade radiator grille, for instance, has AMG lettering between the louvres) and at the back, by side visual air outlets and black diffuser insert with pronounced fins.
Then there are those exclusive 10-spoke alloy wheels in matt titanium grey, red brake calipers, and the two chromed twin tailpipes. And upping the cachet, the V8 BITURBO lettering on the side lets everyone know who’s boss.
The German engineers have been hard at work on the engine, too. The CLS 63 AMG’s engine now produces up to 430kW (and a hefty 800Nm of torque at 1750rpm). An eternity away from four decades back, when AMG’s first 6.3-litre performance V8 300SEL summoned up only a staid 223kW and a 0-100kph sprint of 7.0 seconds!
Yet despite what burbles beneath that sleek bonnet, the 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine ranks among the world’s most efficient series-production eight-cylinder engines when it comes to peak output, torque and fuel consumption. Believe it or not, it sips just 10.4 litres per 100km on a combined cycle, emitting no more than a genteel 243g of CO2/km.
So let’s cut to the chase: what’s it like on the open road – where it belongs.
Put it this way, if there were one vehicle you could choose to drive from say Durban to Cape Town, taking the longest route you could find, and then back again, it would have to be this coupe. It’s achingly comfortable, the ultimate in dynamic driving pleasure, and oh, so luxurious! I loved the AMG performance steering wheel in black Nappa leather with its grip areas in Alcantara (the ultimate material for car, aircraft, jet and yacht interiors) and the grey contrasting topstitching.
And in case you forget what model you’re driving, exclusive, embossed AMG emblems adorning the front head restraints on the sports seats will remind you. The instrument cluster also features an “S AMG” logo in the 320km/h speedo and red highlights, while white illuminated AMG door sill panels and AMG floor mats round off the exclusive appointments.
Those who love their gadgets, incidentally, will appreciate the new free-standing colour display in the head unit with a 20,3cm screen diagonal, which helps define the dashboard’s contemporary looks. The large screen is part of the all-new multimedia generation.
The seven-speed (speedshift) sports transmission offers mindblowingly quick response times – and four drive modes: C for controlled efficiency, S (sport), M for manual, the ECO start-stop function and RACE START. Aluminium shift paddles on the steering wheel will provide even snappier gear shifts. (That addictive, sexy sound of the V8 engine is music to the ears whenever you change up).
The AMG brand promise of “driving performance” stands for state-of-the-art technology and pure driving excitement, and you’ll find both in massive dollops when you strap yourself into the cockpit of this dream machine.
Regardless of speed, road and suspension noise are inaudible from within. Handling is fun and faultless, despite the weight of the four-door coupe. It’s actually a heavy beast, tipping the scales at around two tons, but you wouldn’t know it from the performance. The car comes with AMG ride control sports suspension with an electronically-controlled damping system, steel suspension at the front and air spring system aft, providing a smooth, sporty comfortable drive with super-sharp reflexes. Stopping power is awesome: it’s fitted with internally ventilated and perforated brake discs (360mm) front and rear.
The S-Model is equipped with an optimised three-link front suspension, including axle components made of aluminium, and you’ll notice remarkable and improved grip and agility, as well as decidedly neutral handling characteristics on fast bends.
Mercedes Benz itself sums it all up in a nutshell: “Frontiers are there to be crossed. And when we have done that, we set ourselves new goals. The S-Model is one of them. It is the fine details that make the AMG S-Model what it is. Enhanced sportiness where it hardly seemed possible.” Never a truer word.
It’s a coupe that tugs at the soul and the heartstrings, and which teases the adrenalin and nerve: a definite “keeper”, rather than one you’d replace every two years.
For my money, the CLS 63 AMG S-model really is a magnificent and pioneering work of art. Everyone should drive one at least once in their lifetime. *
* Price: R1 600 000