IMPRESSION

March 6, 2015

Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG | Test Drive

Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG | Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG

Test Drive: The Sportier Mercedes Four-Door Coupe (1)

The Mercedes-Benz CLS is favored by those who desire a sporty feel in a four-door car. We test drove the new model, launched after a full model change in February 2011. Its appearance is more massive and attractive. The sporty character, imbued with driving pleasure within its substantial presence, leaves a lasting impression.

By Fumio Ogawa

Rivals: Panamera, Rapide

The first generation of the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class was unveiled in 2005. It belongs to the so-called four-door coupe market, characterized by a cabin that, despite having four doors, gives a compact impression like a coupe. Four-door coupes are primarily for front-seat occupants, and cars with such compact cabins are designed accordingly. While focused on the front seats, they also appeal to users who value practicality and don't want to sacrifice comfort when carrying children or even adults in the rear seats.

"The previous CLS from the rear."

Others include,Volvo S60andVolkswagen Passat CC, which have grown to constitute a niche market, especially in the upper-middle class. The CLS, in particular, is positioned at the higher end of the price spectrum. The new CLS 350 costs 9.3 million yen, with the CLS 63 AMG priced at 16.45 million yen. Its rivals might be considered four-door cars from sports car manufacturers likeAston Martin Rapide (from 22.995 million yen) andPorsche Panamera (from 9.29 million yen).

A More Spacious Rear Seat Than Before

The strong sales of the previous CLS-Class were partly due to its unique styling concept and its ability to attract potential users before the current S-Class arrived. The rear seat was particularly unique, featuring a deliberately large center console and tightly designed seats. However, for the transition to the second generation, feedback from North American users, who found it cramped, was taken into consideration. Efforts were made to create a more spacious feel in the rear seats, such as lowering the height of the center console. Even more notable is the improved design sophistication. Design details that felt unfinished in the previous model have been refined, and while sharing themes with the S-Class, the new model presents a sportier and more aggressive impression. Its positioning relative to the S-Class has become clearer than ever, making its significance in the market distinctly visible.

Lineup Includes a 3.5-Liter Engine Model and the AMG with a 5.5-Liter Engine

Thanks to its long wheelbase of 2,875mm, the new CLS-Class offers a more spacious and comfortable rear seat than one might expect from a "coupe" concept. In practical terms, it is a proper four-door sedan. While the overall body length has increased by 26mm compared to the previous model, the width has only increased by 5mm, and the height has been reduced by 15mm. The use of aluminum in the frame and doors, along with ultra-high-strength steel in the shell, has increased rigidity while reducing the vehicle's weight by 24kg. On a sensory level, the doors, for example, emit a satisfying sound when closed, thanks to their lighter weight. It's a sound that evokes sports cars with aluminum bodies, a sound that car enthusiasts will undoubtedly find pleasing, even subconsciously. The sound of door operation actually has a significant impact on the car's sensory evaluation (a guideline for evaluating car performance based on human senses).

The new CLS-Class lineup consists of two engine options: the CLS 350 BlueEFFICIENCY (9.3 million yen) equipped with a newly developed 3.5-liter V6 direct-injection engine, and the CLS 63 AMG (16.45 million yen) featuring a 5.5-liter V8 direct-injection twin-turbo engine. Additionally, an AMG Sports Package is available for the CLS 350 for an extra 930,000 yen. This optional package is highly popular in Japan, with an estimated attachment rate of 80%.

Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG | Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG

Test Drive: The Sportier Mercedes Four-Door Coupe (2)

Exterior Emphasizing its Driver's Car Nature

What makes the CLS-Class appealing? First and foremost, its excellent engineering as a car. While BMW might be considered a rival to Mercedes-Benz, BMW is expanding its sporty lineup with SUVs, whereas Mercedes-Benz maintains its focus on sedans while pursuing a high-end niche with models like the CLS-Class. This difference is interesting. The new CLS-Class boasts a highly refined styling. The design technique, adopted from the current S-Class, of flaring the rear fenders and deeply carving the character lines running from front to rear to create a sculptural quality, has been remarkably successful. The exterior clearly conveys that this is a model for those who enjoy driving.

The AMG Features the "AMG DRIVE UNIT SYSTEM" Also Found in the SLS AMG

The handling feel is also emphasized for sportiness. Although the body is relatively large at 4,940mm in length and 1,881mm in width, the cockpit is comparatively snug, and the design clearly conveys an intention to provide the driver with an enjoyable experience, in addition to ease of operation. In the CL 63 AMG, not only has the shift lever been moved from the column to the center console, but it also features the "AMG DRIVE UNIT SYSTEM," similar to the recently announced sports car,SLS AMG. Dials and three buttons arranged next to the shift lever allow for adjustment of the transmission program, ESP (Electronic Stability Program) intervention timing, and suspension stiffness. For example, in city driving, you can select "C" (likely Comfort), and when you want to drive more actively, you can choose "S" (Sport) or "S+" (Sport Plus). A race start mode is also available. While the CLS 350 BlueEFFICIENCY does not have this system, it still offers C, S, and M modes, with the S mode providing sharper throttle response, allowing you to select the driving character. This doubles the enjoyment.

The ride comfort, with a vehicle weight of around 1.8 tons, is smooth, and the engine's balance is by no means poor. The CLS 350 BlueEFFICIENCY is equipped with a newly developed 3.5-liter V6 direct-injection engine. One of its features is the reduction of the V-bank angle from the conventional 90 degrees to 60 degrees, which suppresses vibration and eliminates the need for a balance shaft. It employs a lean-burn system for improved fuel efficiency and cleaner emissions. On the other hand, power has not been sacrificed; the maximum output is 306ps, an increase of 34ps from the previous model, and the maximum torque is 370Nm, an increase of 20Nm. It is paired with a 7-speed transmission. Beyond the numbers, experiencing it reveals that this engine has a distinct torque band between 3,000 and 4,000rpm. Maintaining engine speed in this range allows the driver to achieve responsive acceleration and deceleration exactly as intended.

Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG | Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG

Test Drive: The Sportier Mercedes Four-Door Coupe (3)

Test Drive of a Model Equipped with the AMG Sports Package

The car we test drove was equipped with the AMG Sports Package, designed for those seeking a sportier ride. The most significant visual distinction is the single-louver front grille. In terms of content, it features AIRMATIC suspension. While the standard model has 18-inch tires, this one has larger 19-inch wheels. As a result, a choppy sensation is transmitted through the steering wheel on uneven road surfaces. However, at higher speeds, you can experience a sporty driving feel, as if the car is glued to the road. This is likely due to the air suspension. The importer states that 80% of users chose a similar sports package for the previous generation, but since we couldn't test the standard model this time, it's unclear at this point which is the better choice. Personally, if given the option, I would always prefer smaller diameter tires for better ride comfort, so I am also interested in the 18-inch tires on the CLS 350 BlueEFFICIENCY.

Revised Tuning Enhances the CLS's Sportiness

For those who desire sporty handling to match its appearance (?), the CL 63 AMG is the choice. Its astonishingly powerful 5.5-liter V8 twin-turbo unit, with a maximum output of 386kW, provides seamless acceleration from very low speeds to high speeds. The powerful sensation of 700Nm of maximum torque, available from 1,750rpm, is captivating. This power unit is designed in line with the current downsizing concept of increasing output while reducing displacement through the use of turbochargers. The adoption of a direct fuel injection system and its combination with an efficient transmission (AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT) are cited as contributing to reduced CO2 emissions.

While previous AMG models imported to Japan had uninspired tuning that simply made the suspension stiff, recent models have succeeded in wonderfully expanding the inherent sportiness of Mercedes vehicles, expressing another dimension of their appeal. The suspension is firm, yet feels supple, combined with responsive steering and an easy-to-handle chassis, allowing you to fully experience the high potential of Mercedes cars. This is true for all AMG models starting from the C-Class, but it feels particularly well-suited to the CLS-Class, which is stylish and clearly defined as a driver's car.

The CLS 63 AMG features a specially designed front axle to accommodate the increased tread width. The suspension system is also a sports suspension called "AMG RIDE CONTROL," which continuously calculates and adjusts damping according to driving conditions. Furthermore, the "AMG DRIVE UNIT SYSTEM" accentuates the car's character. While "C" (Comfort) is for comfortable driving, in "S" (Sport) or "S+" (Sport Plus) modes, you can experience the pure sportiness of the tightly tuned chassis. In "S+" mode, the steering feel and throttle response are exhilarating, akin to a sports car. The importer claims it covers everything "from sporty driving on the circuit to relaxed, comfortable driving in the city." As mentioned earlier, it is likely more suited to those who seek a sports car-like ride.

Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG | Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG

Test Drive: The Sportier Mercedes Four-Door Coupe (4)

The "AMG DRIVE UNIT SYSTEM" Allows for Enjoyment of Various Driving Feels

The transmission in the CLS 63 AMG is a 7-speed automatic based on a wet multi-plate clutch instead of a torque converter, aiming for faster response times. This is because the speed of gear changes contributes to sportiness. It is linked to the "AMG DRIVE UNIT SYSTEM," and when the controller is manually operated to select "S," the gear change time is reduced by approximately 25% compared to "C," and in "S+" mode, it is further reduced by approximately 25% compared to "S." A manual shifting mode "M" is also provided, where the gear change time is reduced by approximately 50% compared to the C mode. The ESP, which monitors the drive status of all four wheels and controls vehicle attitude in advance, offers a "3-Stage ESP" setting, as early intervention can sometimes detract from sportiness. The third stage is the OFF mode, which disables ESP functionality, intended for serious sports driving on circuits.

Power Steering Assist Changed from Hydraulic to Electric

Another notable technical advancement in the new CLS-Class is the change from hydraulic to electric power steering assist. While this might suggest a significant departure from Mercedes' characteristic steering feel, the unique sensation remains: a responsive feel around the center and a distinct weight as you turn, with a sense of inertia. Mercedes cites "power assistance functioning even when the engine is stopped" as the reason for the switch to electric power. In CLS models equipped with the engine stop function, this contributes to fuel efficiency by eliminating the need to restart the engine when turning the steering wheel while stopped at a traffic light. Both the CLS 350 BlueEFFICIENCY and CLS 63 AMG feature the same electric power steering.

Although the body size is not small, the steering is quite responsive, making it easy to maneuver even in the city, complementing the new CLS-Class's urban sporty look. It offers comfort on long journeys and enjoyment on winding roads. Perhaps as a result of focusing too much on a niche market, it has shed some of its previously awkward packaging, resulting in a more mature product. The styling is also pleasing, effectively utilizing the fender theme that felt somewhat unresolved in the S-Class. The new CLS-Class leaves a strong impression as a realization of Mercedes' vision for a sporty model.