Following the leaked information and pictures that made their way onto the web last week, Mercedes-Benz has officially unveiled the most beastly version of its new CLS Shooting Brake.
SUPERCAR OF WAGONS
It might be practical enough to haul 1550 litres worth of luggage if you fold the seats down, but the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake is really a supercar in drag.
Like other modern AMG creations, it’s shunted along by a 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, which makes 415kW and 800Nm when ordered in ‘Edition 1’ guise. Even the standard model is good for 386kW and 700Nm.
With power channelled to the rear wheels via the AMG Speedshift MCT seven –speed sports gearbox, the Edition 1 is said to be capable of a 4.3-second 0-100km/h run (0.1 seconds quicker than the standard model). The gearbox also boasts four individual modes, automatic double declutching and a ‘race start’ function.
Thanks to technologies like direct injection, piezo injectors and idle-stop, consumption is perhaps not as catastrophic as you’d imagine, although the only figures we have are from the unrealistic NEDC cycle, in which it sipped 10.1 l/100km.
AMG has done the usual homework on the suspension, steering and brakes.
The AMG Ride Control sports suspension consists of steel struts at the front end and air suspension at the back. Employing an electronic damping system, it automatically adjusts the characteristics of the shocks to the prevailing driving conditions.
The driver can also manually switch between ‘Comfort’, ‘Sport’ and ‘Sport Plus’ modes.
As a bonus, the ESP stability control system has a ‘Sport handling’ mode, which hopefully kicks the nanny out the car.
Stopping power, of course, is not compromised and those not satisfied with the standard 360mm ventilated and perforated brake discs can opt for an AMG ceramic high-performance composite braking system.
In addition to the obligatory AMG body kit, including distinctive front apron, grille, rear diffuser and sports exhaust pipes, this CLS 63 can be told apart by titanium grey-painted 19-inch alloy wheels.
A suitably special atmosphere has been created side as well, with AMG sports seats in Nappa leather, AMG Black Piano lacquer trim and a bespoke AMG instrument cluster that includes a race timer and AMG start-up screen.
The suspension, transmission, ESP and AMG program can all be tinkered with on the AMG Drive Unit, via the E-select selector lever – a bespoke AMG feature that’s integrated into the centre console.
Even the luggage gets to travel in style thanks to a wooden compartment floor finished in American cherry wood.
The CLS Shooting Brake range is due to reach South Africa in the first quarter of next year.