Mercedes-Benz launched the original CLS in 2004 dropping jaws and universal acclaim. To understand why it had that kind of impact, you just have to look at the rest of the range from the Three-Pointed Star at that time: dour saloons, subscribing to the conventional three-box design and the podgy little A-Class “city car” that left existing Mercedes owners baffled. Sure there was the SLR supercar, which looked like a reject from a Batmobile audition, but that was stratospheric in price as well as performance.
We maintain to-date that the CLS is the most beautiful saloon Mercedes has ever made. So taken were we — and, more importantly, aspirant car-buyers — by the car, that the lack of rear cabin space and the fact that the car was based on the then three-year-old Mercedes E-Class platform were gripes dismissed out of hand.
In performance-orientated AMG guise, with gills in the front fenders, ground-effect front spoiler, single-blade grille and those air-shredding five-spoke wheels, it appears hunkered down, coiled and ready to pounce.
Sink into those comfy chairs and you behold a less angular dashboard than you would in an E-Class. It’s pretty swoopy, yet ergonomically well thought out. Despite the endless blackness, the Alcantara trim on the roof, pillars, and that sporty, chunky steering wheel, plus the fine upholstery, and the jewellery-like silver trim and switchgear, all contrive to make this a very inviting and endearing cabin to live in.
With side bolsters on the seat that gently caress you as you corner, and a pulse/massage function, there are few better car seats to park your behind upon. Things get even more satisfying as you hit the big starter button and the new 5.5-litre V8 barks, woofles and then settles to a deep rumble. So what’s this engine like? Floor the loud pedal and you’ll find there was never a truer description as a stentorian staccato-accompanied thrum instantly responds, stirring the soul and unleashing demonic forces that propel this beast to 100kph in just 4.4 seconds.
If you’re failing to see a downside in this glorious package from AMG, it’s because I’m failing to deliver one. It commutes happily in sedate mode, sweeping up admiring glances and envious stares from colleagues with ease, yet it devours a winding mountain road, plays sensible family man and gets wonderfully exuberant if you dial out the electronic nannies. It’s a more enticing prospect than an Audi RS6, more forceful than a Maserati Quattroporte, and only a cheaper Jaguar XFR might run it close for refinement and style.
However by the time you spec up a CLS 63 (and the $1,000 carbon and piano lacquer black trim is a must!), it will end up costing you considerably more than the $122k starting price. Hark though, what price for quality, class and an engine cast by the gods themselves?
Follow us on
