Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG and CLK63 AMG @ Geneva

[Variance]

Geneva World Debut: Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG and CLK63 AMG

Date posted: 02-15-2006

STUTTGART — Mercedes-Benz said on Wednesday that the upcoming 76th Geneva International Motor Show will be the setting for the world debut of the high-performance CLS63 AMG and CLK63 AMG models. The company said it would also unveil the face-lifted SL-Class and its AMG versions, the SL55 AMG and SL65 AMG. For the new GL-Class, Geneva will host the international premiere of the GL320 CDI and GL420 CDI diesel models.

The new CLS63 AMG, which Mercedes-Benz describes as a "four-door coupe," is powered by a 6.3-liter V8 AMG engine, which was developed entirely by Mercedes and AMG. The new 514-horsepower AMG power plant is mated to an AMG seven-speed transmission with automatic or manual-style shifting. The car sprints from zero to 62 mph in 4.5 seconds and has a governed top speed of 155 mph. The CLS63 AMG also has a new sport suspension.

In the CLK63 AMG coupe and cabriolet models, the AMG 6.3-liter V8 engine produces 481 hp sent to the rear wheels via a seven-speed automatic transmission. The CLK models have the new AMG suspension and new 18-inch AMG alloy wheels.

Mercedes-Benz said the GL420 CDI's new V8 diesel engine makes 306 hp. The GL320 CDI makes 224 hp. All engine versions of the GL are equipped with the seven-speed automatic, the company said.

What this means to you: It's not likely that the diesel versions of the GL will show up in the U.S. — but who cares when the high-performance AMG models are on the way?

Link: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=109328

[pow]

Hmm... interesting how there's no SL63 yet.

[Variance]

Hmm... interesting how there's no SL63 yet.

Probably because it would make the SL600 pointless and come too close to the SL65. The next generation will likely have an SL63.

[CSpec]

Is this replacing the CLS55? The power numbers are pretty close.

[Northstar]

Isn't this 6.3L engine the one that was supposed to outpower the LS7 with 510HP or something? It looks like it lost quite a bit with the new SAE ratings. It kind of seems like a waste of money for MB to make so many high performance models, especially when the new engines aren't a big step up from the old ones.

[Variance]

Is this replacing the CLS55? The power numbers are pretty close.

I believe so. The naturally aspirated 6.3L AMG engines are taking the place of the supercharged 5.5L V8s.

[Variance]

Isn't this 6.3L engine the one that was supposed to outpower the LS7 with 510HP or something? It looks like it lost quite a bit with the new SAE ratings. It kind of seems like a waste of money for MB to make so many high performance models, especially when the new engines aren't a big step up from the old ones.

The new CLS63 AMG, which Mercedes-Benz describes as a "four-door coupe," is powered by a 6.3-liter V8 AMG engine, which was developed entirely by Mercedes and AMG. The new 514-horsepower AMG power plant is mated to an AMG seven-speed transmission with automatic or manual-style shifting. The car sprints from zero to 62 mph in 4.5 seconds and has a governed top speed of 155 mph. The CLS63 AMG also has a new sport suspension.

The 6.3 doesn't make the same power in every application. The CLS55 made 469hp. It seems like a decent bump in power to me. It's about the same jump the GTO took when it went from the LS1 to the LS2.

Edited February 16, 2006 by Variance

[Northstar]

Whoops, my bad. I guess I overlooked that part (just skimmed it over), but it says it makes 481HP in the CLK63. The 514 is a significant jump from 469, but if the CLS63 only had 481HP then it's rather useless, IMO.

[Variance]

Whoops, my bad. I guess I overlooked that part (just skimmed it over), but it says it makes 481HP in the CLK63. The 514 is a significant jump from 469, but if the CLS63 only had 481HP then it's rather useless, IMO.

Well, the CLK55 made 362hp. That makes for well over a 100hp leap. Mercedes is really going nuts with power.

Personally, I'll take a modded GTO and keep the change for what the AMGs go for.