Three More Mercs Get 63 AMG TreatmentMercedes will be showing off some of its newest models at the 76th
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| 500 horsepower, or more, in your hair. Sounds like a real treat. (Photos: Mercedes-Benz Canada) |
Geneva International Motor Show when it gets underway later this week. Three new models that spark particular interest are the CLS 63, CLK 63 Coupe and Convertible (the two of which probably make it four new AMG models), and R 63 models which debuted earlier this year at the Chicago Motor Show, all of which include the AMG package. You heard right, 63. This means that each car is packing a 6.3-litre, naturally aspirated V8 engine, designed and built entirely by AMG. Each engine will punch out about 500-horsepower, depending on the model, and each model will be decked out with all of the AMG features one would expect. These AMG-specific features include special exterior body accents, a race-inspired interior, an AMG-tuned suspension for both handling and comfort, and huge disc brakes all around.
Mercedes'
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| Cornering G's and ultra-high speed. Perfect way of introducing your kids to performance motoring. (Photos: Mercedes-Benz Canada) |
R 63 AMG is big both inside and out. It provides comfortable seating for six adults via three pairs of single seats and is significantly longer than one would think. In fact, the R 63 is 127 mm (5 inches) longer than the Cadillac Escalade and a whopping 254 mm (10 inches) longer than the SRX of the same make. Even more shocking, the R 63 is just 28 mm (1.1 inches) narrower than the ultra-wide Hummer H1 Alpha!
From the outside, AMG has added a number of touches that make it look a lot sportier than a regular R-series model. Flared fenders, special front and rear aprons, an AMG grille and side skirts, tinted taillights, and two sets of chromed twin exhaust pipes really make this car stand out as a performance model.
Slide into the AMG-specific
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| The interior of the CLS 63 AMG is trimmed in leather, wood, stainless and countless other luxury materials. (Photos: Mercedes-Benz Canada) |
sport seats and grab hold of AMG's leather steering wheel and the same effect applies. From there, you can rest your right foot on the rubber-studded stainless steel foot pedals and gaze up at the special instrument panel, complete with AMG graphics of course. Now you'll feel like you're in a sports car... with five other people!
So it looks like a sports car (or at least as sporty as oversized station wagon's get - Ed.) and feels like a sports car, but does it drive like a sports car? Sure, unless 510-horsepower pushing you from 0 to 60 miles per hour in about five seconds is not sporty enough for you. It is reportedly no slouch in the handling department either. Thanks to a double wishbone front suspension, four-link setup in the rear, height-adjustable AIRMATIC air ride system and AMG shocks, the R 63 provides performance-type handling capabilities while maintaining a smooth, comfortable ride for all six passengers. Want to slow down? No problem. Tucked behind all four highly polished 19-inch AMG alloy wheels are vented and perforated disc brakes to make stopping as effortless as getting up to speed.
Until
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| Seven-speed auto gearbox helps the 63 cars like this CLS rocket to 100 km/h quicker than the older '55' models. (Photos: Mercedes-Benz Canada) |
now, the only transmission that could stand up to the task of handling the extra power produced by an AMG engine was Mercedes' aging 5-speed automatic. The new R 63, CLS 63 and CLK 63 AMG models, however, will feature a beefed-up SPEEDSHIFT 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic with three different shift modes controlled by a switch on the centre console. This allows the driver to choose between 'sport', 'comfort', or 'manual' settings. Those who wish to shift manually can do so by using the electronic lever on the steering column, which only allows for Drive, Reverse or Park, or by using the Formula-1 style aluminum paddles located on the steering wheel itself.
