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Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG gets same AWD, power boost as new E63 models [UPDATE]

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 13:58:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Wagon, Europe, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

Mercedes-Benz recently took the wraps off its updated 2014 E-Class, including the absolutely bonkers E63 AMG sedan (and wagon!). Aside from the obvious styling tweaks, the key changes for the AMG E-Class include a more powerful S-Model trim and the addition of 4Matic all-wheel drive to the historically rear-drive-only platform.

We've now learned that those changes will be making their way over to the swoopy CLS63 AMG sedan, as well as the not-for-America Shooting Brake model. In its base form, the rear-drive CLS63 cranks out 557 horsepower and 531 pound-feet of torque from its 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V8, sent to the ground via the automaker's AMG Speedshift seven-speed transmission. 4Matic all-wheel drive is optional on the CLS63.

Just like the E63, the crazier S-Model package includes a power bump that raises those engine output numbers to 585 hp and 590 lb-ft. All S-Model cars come standard with 4Matic, as well as other features including a locking rear differential, optional carbon ceramic brakes and a host of exterior design upgrades.

The upgraded CLS goes on sale in Germany in April, with the 4Matic and S-Model cars arriving in June. We've asked Mercedes-Benz for confirmation about US market availability, but have not heard back as of this writing. Scroll down for the official release.

UPDATE: A Mercedes-Benz spokesperson confirmed to Autoblog that the US-spec cars will launch in our market in the fall of 2013. We will not receive the rear-wheel-drive CLS63 AMG, but the German automaker will offer the CLS63 AMG 4Matic and CLS63 AMG S-Model 4Matic here in the States.

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG gets same AWD, power boost as new E63 models [UPDATE]

Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG gets same AWD, power boost as new E63 models [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Jan 2013 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Mercedes CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake [w/video]

Matt Davis — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Wagon, Europe, Mercedes-Benz, First Drives, Luxury

A Heated Up Sports Tourer With One Stylish Tuckus

Our jaws collectively dropped at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show when the Vision CLS concept debuted. Had Mercedes-Benz decided not to build it, there might have been hell to pay. But build the W219 CLS-Class starting in April of 2004 it did, and the accolades never ceased for that first-generation model until it was replaced in the summer of 2010.

The W218 second-generation model is still loved, though seemingly much less so than the groundbreaking original, And, as though it knew this reaction was coming, Mercedes showed us all the Concept Fascination at the Paris Motor Show in September 2008, which was ultimately massaged into the Concept Shooting Brake shown at the Beijing Motor Show in April 2010.

Mercedes couldn't do just another wagon with the CLS; it had to be something that echoed of pure styling exercises, and perhaps excess. Eyeing up this production version of the Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake built in Sindelfingen, we remain largely pleased, even when our professional objectivity changes to cold subjectivity. Keeping in mind the point of this lower volume lifestyle hauler, there are only two tangible bits on the car that we're not in love with, and that's not bad at all.

Whereas on the CLS coupe - *a-hem* - we would have loved to see a real two-door happen, for this new wagon style (sorry... shooting brake), Mercedes could never do a true shooting brake with just two forward doors; that would have been silly and might have sold in similar numbers as many a shooting brake in history has sold - frequently in single digits. No, it had to be a more useful wagon but with a lot of impractical swoosh.

Continue reading 2013 Mercedes CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake [w/video]

2013 Mercedes CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Sep 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake makes its video debut

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 12:32:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Wagon, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

There is little to see here except more of what you can't have, but Mercedes-Benz has served up a promo video for the 2013 CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake. The closest we Americans will get to it, however, are the specs: 5.5-liter, twin-turbo V8 with 525 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, a glorious options list and a rumbling exhaust.

Thankfully, Mercedes-Benz does sell the CLS63 AMG sedan here in the United States, but it just can't match the sexiness of a svelte shooting brake.

Want to get close to that rakish roaring rump? Better head to Europe. Failing that, scroll down for the glamorous video and be sure to click through our high-res gallery of images.

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake makes its video debut

Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake makes its video debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Jul 2012 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake ist verboten frucht [w/videos]

Jeff Sabatini — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 10:27:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Performance, Wagon, Europe, Videos, Mercedes-Benz, Design/Style, Luxury

Mercedes-Benz has finally revealed images and full details on its 2013 CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake. So now all our whining about it not coming to the U.S. when it goes on sale in October can be official too.

As predicted, the gorgeous CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake will get the same 5.5-liter, twin-turbo V8 as its sedan counterpart, making 525 horsepower in standard models and 557 hp in the limited production "Edition 1." Standard models will make 516 lb-ft of torque, with Edition 1 examples producing 590. That extra grunt will help the Edition 1 hit 62 mph in just 4.3 seconds, as opposed to 4.4 for the standard trim. All cars will receive a seven-speed AMG MCT SpeedShift transmission and be electronically limited to a top speed of 155 mph.

As you'd imagine, the AMG Shooting Brake is offered with plenty of niceties and options, including a Designo wooden luggage floor, done up in cherry inlaid with smoked oak and trimmed with aluminum rails. Unfortunately, Mercedes hasn't come forth with any pictures of this option, but there is a brief cameo of the fine carpentry in the video available by scrolling down. We've even included some footage of a disguised example doing a monster burnout at the recently completed Goodwood Festival Of Speed. While you're back there, check out the official press release, and be sure to inspect the gallery - we'll keep an eye out for additional photos.

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake ist verboten frucht [w/videos]

Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake ist verboten frucht [w/videos] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Jul 2012 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake leaks out

Zach Bowman — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Wagon, Europe, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

Someone is in a lot of trouble over at Mercedes-Benz. The automaker accidentally put up a few images and details about the upcoming CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake on its German consumer site, and our friends at Car and Driver gleaned what they could before all the information disappeared again.

Word has it the longroof will make use of the same twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V8 found behind the headlights of the four-door variant. That means buyers will get to enjoy 518 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. Should those numbers be to skinny, Mercedes-Benz will also offer a performance pack that nudges the figures toward 550 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. A seven-speed Speedshift automatic transmission will handle gear swapping duties, though the traditional torque converter has been scrapped in favor of a computer-controlled clutch.

As magical as all that sounds, there's still little chance we'll see the machine on our shores. Mercedes-Benz has made it clear the standard CLS Shooting Brake is not meant for U.S. buyers, so it follows the CLS63 AMG will remain similarly forbidden. What a shame. You can check out the full details over at the manufacturer's site, at least until they pull the page.

Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake leaks out originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Jul 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz considering CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake, diesel AMGs a long way off

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 15:28:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Wagon, Mercedes-Benz, Diesel, Luxury

Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

In the span of two weeks, Mercedes-Benz announced two new CLS-based production models: the recently revealed CLS63 AMG and plans to produce a wagon version inspired by the CLS "Shooting Brake" Concept shown at the Beijing Motor Show. Now we've learned that another CLS variant could combine the two.

The CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake would adapt all the go-fast bits of its sedan counterpart into the five-door model set to go into production in 2012. That means the M157 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V8 putting out between 518 and 550 horsepower and up to 590 pound-feet of torque depending on the spec. We've yet to get official word from M-B if the CLS Shooting Brake is bound for U.S. shores, but if the AMG version does come to fruition, don't expect it much before 2013.

Additionally, AMG execs told us that diesel performance models from the in-house tuner are a long way off. More to the point, AMG officials believe that gasoline engines have the potential to return just as much torque and fuel economy as their oil-burning counterparts, negating the need to develop high performance diesels. Here's hoping they're right...

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Break Concept

Gallery: LA 2010: 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG

Mercedes-Benz considering CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake, diesel AMGs a long way off originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Nov 2010 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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