taylor
02-02-2009, 06:06 AM
Mercedes-Benz have just launched their AMG models in India (see story elsewhere in this issue) in an obvious attempt to add sporty performance and dynamism to their somewhat dull image of making luxurious and safe executive saloons. Serious competition from the likes of BMW and Audi have obviously hastened theintroduction of AMG models in India, but whatever the reason, this is certainly good news for performance enthusiasts.
Yuvraj Himanshu Sinh Jadeja of Gondal is the first to have bought an AMG Mercedes-Benz in India and he was kind enough to let us have a go in his AMG CLS 63. The Yuvraj and his family are hardcore automotive enthusiasts and his family also owns a classic Mercedes 300SL, the only one of its kind in India.
But back to the present and the stunningly beautiful CLS 63. The CLS is undoubtedly one of the most striking looking Mercs ever, and can be credited with starting the four.-door coupe segment. It continues to stand out from everything else on the road and the AMG bodykit only enhances its presence. And even though it's unlikely, if the styling of the CLS does not win you over, what rests under the long bonnet surely will. The naturally-aspirated, hand-built 6.2-litre V8 with 32-valves produces S14bhp and 630Nm of torque and is an amazing power plant ideally suited for this sports saloon.
All this amazing power is delivered to the car's 285/30 R 19 rear wheels through a sophisticated seven-speed automatic transmission that includes a double-declutching function to make the driving experience even more fun. The seven-speed 'box is very responsive and helps draw out the best from the engine with the manual mode allowing the driver to shift between gears using the alumini¬um steering-mounted gearshift paddles. There is also a sport mode that makes throttle response sharper, holds gears longer, shifts even more quickly and also blips and increases the engine's rpm when downshifting.
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The CLS 63 also comes with Mercedes-Benz's optional Airmatic air suspension that offers three ride/handling settings in addition to its own Adaptive Damping System. In comfort mode the suspension is highly absorbent and tames road irregularities in an impressive manner though nasty potholes do sometimes catch it out and let the occupants feel the impact and judder. In sports mode it
firms up adequately to suppress body roll and pitch and it also provides inspiring grip to tackle turns at high speeds. In fact for a car that weighs 1905kg, the CLS 63's chassis is extremely well balanced giving it an agility you would scarcely expect from such a big and heavy saloon.
The rack-and-pinion steering also acts well, supplying back information about the obtainable levels of grip. It also loads or firms up nicely with speed. The CLS 63 launches itself like a missile, responds beautifully to driver inputs and when the person behind the wheel overcooks a corner, all the technical gizmos start working to make up for any lack of skill the driver mayor may not have. If corners are attacked hard the seat side supports firm-up to combat the centrifugal forces that push you outwards. If this doesn't tell you that the CLS 63 is a special car, that is there to aid the driver in his pursuit for speed, nothing will. And when you want to shed speed quickly there are massive drilled rotors and composite ventilated and perforated discs to aid you.
Yuvraj Himanshu Sinh Jadeja of Gondal is the first to have bought an AMG Mercedes-Benz in India and he was kind enough to let us have a go in his AMG CLS 63. The Yuvraj and his family are hardcore automotive enthusiasts and his family also owns a classic Mercedes 300SL, the only one of its kind in India.
But back to the present and the stunningly beautiful CLS 63. The CLS is undoubtedly one of the most striking looking Mercs ever, and can be credited with starting the four.-door coupe segment. It continues to stand out from everything else on the road and the AMG bodykit only enhances its presence. And even though it's unlikely, if the styling of the CLS does not win you over, what rests under the long bonnet surely will. The naturally-aspirated, hand-built 6.2-litre V8 with 32-valves produces S14bhp and 630Nm of torque and is an amazing power plant ideally suited for this sports saloon.
All this amazing power is delivered to the car's 285/30 R 19 rear wheels through a sophisticated seven-speed automatic transmission that includes a double-declutching function to make the driving experience even more fun. The seven-speed 'box is very responsive and helps draw out the best from the engine with the manual mode allowing the driver to shift between gears using the alumini¬um steering-mounted gearshift paddles. There is also a sport mode that makes throttle response sharper, holds gears longer, shifts even more quickly and also blips and increases the engine's rpm when downshifting.
1190
The CLS 63 also comes with Mercedes-Benz's optional Airmatic air suspension that offers three ride/handling settings in addition to its own Adaptive Damping System. In comfort mode the suspension is highly absorbent and tames road irregularities in an impressive manner though nasty potholes do sometimes catch it out and let the occupants feel the impact and judder. In sports mode it
firms up adequately to suppress body roll and pitch and it also provides inspiring grip to tackle turns at high speeds. In fact for a car that weighs 1905kg, the CLS 63's chassis is extremely well balanced giving it an agility you would scarcely expect from such a big and heavy saloon.
The rack-and-pinion steering also acts well, supplying back information about the obtainable levels of grip. It also loads or firms up nicely with speed. The CLS 63 launches itself like a missile, responds beautifully to driver inputs and when the person behind the wheel overcooks a corner, all the technical gizmos start working to make up for any lack of skill the driver mayor may not have. If corners are attacked hard the seat side supports firm-up to combat the centrifugal forces that push you outwards. If this doesn't tell you that the CLS 63 is a special car, that is there to aid the driver in his pursuit for speed, nothing will. And when you want to shed speed quickly there are massive drilled rotors and composite ventilated and perforated discs to aid you.