Vehicle: 2009 Mercedes CLS63 AMG with AMG Performance Pkg and Premium Pkg
Price as tested: CDN$142900

Performance: Performance rocketship is the best description of this Mercedes. Instead of using the blower in the pre-facelifted CLS55, AMG has upped the ante with this normally aspirated V8 DOHC 32-valve powertrain. The result is a even silkier ride than the one it replaces. A whooping 504 horses put through the pavement is something that is hard to describe. It lauches like a missile on rail. With 504 horses serving the ultra eager top end of the rev range, 465 lb/ft of torque is astounishing when it comes to bottom end acceleration. It all comes in a package that doesn’t short of refinement one expects from a Mercedes-Benz. Not to mention the wonderful Teutonic engine note that is a true music to the ears. AMG’s 7-Gronic manumatic is equally capable, as with AMG Speedshift enhancement really gives this car a huge boost when it comes to redline up and downshifting. In garden-variety Mercedes, say a CLS550, Mercedes has protected it shifting program to discourage of aggressive shifting pattern. With the AMG enhancement, its even more eager and willing to shifts for better responsivenss and acceleration. A truly breathtaking ride indeed.

Handling: AMG is a performance division that not only does “one man one engine” awesomely, they also create some of the best driving beasts in the world. While the previous AMGs have a tendency for overpowering itself, especially when it comes to the instrusiveness of its electroic stability control. They have tempted the CLS’s chassis for less instrusiveness of its ESP, on the other hand, have made it more capable than all the AMG sedans have gone before. Even if the ESP remains an instrusive variety when it comes to performance sedan, it certainly doesn’t step in as eagerly as its CLS55 or C32 predecessors. When it comes to driving dynamics, CLS has always been regarded as one of the best handling Mercedes sedans ever. CLS63 is no exception. The steering is firm and provide great road feel, despite of Mercedes’s typical somwhat dead on-center feel on highway speed. It is a very balanced car thanks to its close to perfect 50/50 rear-drive chassis. Body rolls are superb consider its an over 4200 lb sports sedan. Even with its ESP’s design stance, you can still have a bit of oversteer when pushed. Its semi-active air suspension with adaptive damping system provides surefootness, entertaining handling without sacificing the supple ride quality typical of a Mercedes. Even if an enthuisast sets it into sport mode, it doesn’t have the bone-jarring ride which we usually associate with a sports car. That’s the beauty of German engineering.

Brakes: With huge 4-wheel discs and ABS, CLS’s pedal feel and modulation are nothing short of amazing. The stopping distance and pedal bite are simply world-class.

Interior: Inside the CLS, it better have every toys you possibly wanted including a microwave. The materials and fit-and-finish are first-rate. The use of carbon fiber trim has made the usually boring Mercedes interior a break from the mood. Leather sports seats provide plenty of thigh and side supports, while they are firm enough for a long trip.

The limitations of being a 4-seaters and headroom are possibly the only drawbacks. If you want a more sensible sports sedan riding on the same chassis, E63 is the one to go.

Conclusion: The CLS continues to impress us with its sleek and entertaining dynamic package. Even if Mercedes has opened up a can of worm for debating whether its a sports coupe or sports sedan, its concept is good enough for others to follow. With this CLS63, it remains a performance car that is hard to beat.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2009 Mercedes CLS63 AMG
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Performance: 5/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 5/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4.5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4.5/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 4/5
Value-for-money: 4/5

Overall rating: 4.5/5