wikedgolf
08-22-2005, 03:58 PM
http://motortrend.com/roadtests/luxury/112_0507_mb_cls55_sce_l.jpg
2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS55 AMG
The It Car: Coming To A Red-Carpet Film Premiere Near You
By Matt Stone
Photography by John Kiewicz
Motor Trend, August 2005
Mercedes-Benz CLSs are blooming around Beverly Hills like poppies after a desert rainstorm. All of a sudden, they're everywhere, at least on Drives with names like Camden, Roxbury, and Bedford. And with good reason: M-B's new four-door coupe combines the all-around goodness and prestige of an E-Class with an architectural body design that belongs in a modern-art museum--or at least parked in front of your favorite joint on Sunset.
In the event Brad or Paris needs to rip up Rodeo or get away from the stalkerazzi in an even bigger hurry than usual, they should consider the CLS55 AMG version. Out goes the standard 302-horsepower V-8 in favor of a supercharged, intercooled 5.4-liter monster good for 469 horses. And let's talk torque: 516 pound-feet of it, delivered on a platter that reaches from 2750 to 4000 rpm. There's only one transmission available--or necessary: an excellent five-speed automatic that gets AMG-spec SpeedShift programming. This trans features Drive, Sport, and manual modes--the last controlled via the console shifter or paddles on the steering wheel--and higher shift points. A six- or seven-speed gearbox would be superfluous; this handbuilt V-8 spools out so much grunt over such a wide powerband, it could probably get by on three gears. The net result is a 0-to-60 blast in just 4.4 seconds.
The rest of the AMG treatment is as you'd expect: 19-inch alloys wearing performance rubber, beefier brakes and suspension tuning (including Mercedes-Benz's excellent Airmatic Dual Control air-suspension system), subtly revised front/rear fascias, AMG badging, and a rumbling, quad-tipped exhaust. The CLS's interior appointments already resemble designer furniture, but are even more sumptuous in AMG trim. Scrumptilicious Nappa leather trim wraps around thickly bolstered sport seats; they're 10-way adjustable, heated, and offer three-way memory. Local groupies dug the matte-finished wood trim, too. The trend toward more natural-looking wood is spreading, and we're all for it, as it brings out the material's grain and keeps it from looking like well-rendered plastic. Like Charlize's tight black party dress, the cabin is a bit snug (especially for passengers aft) but damn stylish because of it.
Thanks to modern tire technology, the tuneabilty of today's air-suspension and computer-controlled damping systems, and a high level of competence on behalf of AMG's engineers, the CLS55 offers higher handling levels than does the standard CLS, with little compromise in ride quality. It doesn't deliver the chassis feedback or turn in with the sharpness of BMW's new M5, but it's a handler and rides beautifully on all but the nastiest pavement. Even though the CLS is based on the E-Class, it sits a bit lower and likely has a lower center of gravity, so it rolls less. Early versions of models equipped with Mercedes's electronic braking system suffered from a wooden pedal feel and nonlinear modulation. Improvements have been made, and these brakes feel much better, if still not wholly organic.
The demi-coupe shape must do a good job at wind cheating, because the CLS seems quieter than an E-Class. As is typical among all Mercedes AMG models, the CLS55's high-speed stability is rock solid. You couldn't ask for more from a performance powertrain; there's punch everywhere, and the transmission always seems to be in the right gear at the right time. There's a slight dent in the powerband when you toe the throttle just as the supercharger kicks in, but, otherwise, it'll pin your kidneys to those Nappa leather seats and sounds like polished thunder doing so.
If the CLS55 has a competitor, it's BMW's upcoming M6. Even then, they're different: The M6 is a two-door coupe, has a unique V-10 powerplant, and comes only with a seven-speed sequential manual gearbox. One thing's for sure: Both will be rare. Even finger-snapping Hollywood types may have to drop names and burn favors to get a CLS55; Mercedes-Benz plans to sell only about 1500 per year (limited production numbers are part of AMG's exclusive nature). At least the stars' money handlers won't freak out, since they'll be getting change back from a $100,000 bill.
2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS55 AMG
Base price $89,020
AS-TESTED price $98,880
Vehicle layout Front engine, RWD, 4-door, 4-pass sedan
Engine 5.4L / 469 hp / 516 lb-ft, supercharged, SOHC 24-valve V-8
Transmission 5-speed automatic
Curb weight 4322 lb
Wheelbase 112.4 in
Length x width x height 193.3 x 73.7 x 55.2 in
0-60 mph 4.4 sec
EPA city/hwy FUEL econ 14/20 mpg
On sale in U.S. Currently
http://motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_0507_mb_cls5502_l.jpg
http://motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_0507_mb_cls5503_z.jpg http://motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_0507_mb_cls5504_z.jpg
http://motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_0507_mb_cls5505_z.jpg http://motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_0507_mb_cls5506_z.jpg
2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS55 AMG
The It Car: Coming To A Red-Carpet Film Premiere Near You
By Matt Stone
Photography by John Kiewicz
Motor Trend, August 2005
Mercedes-Benz CLSs are blooming around Beverly Hills like poppies after a desert rainstorm. All of a sudden, they're everywhere, at least on Drives with names like Camden, Roxbury, and Bedford. And with good reason: M-B's new four-door coupe combines the all-around goodness and prestige of an E-Class with an architectural body design that belongs in a modern-art museum--or at least parked in front of your favorite joint on Sunset.
In the event Brad or Paris needs to rip up Rodeo or get away from the stalkerazzi in an even bigger hurry than usual, they should consider the CLS55 AMG version. Out goes the standard 302-horsepower V-8 in favor of a supercharged, intercooled 5.4-liter monster good for 469 horses. And let's talk torque: 516 pound-feet of it, delivered on a platter that reaches from 2750 to 4000 rpm. There's only one transmission available--or necessary: an excellent five-speed automatic that gets AMG-spec SpeedShift programming. This trans features Drive, Sport, and manual modes--the last controlled via the console shifter or paddles on the steering wheel--and higher shift points. A six- or seven-speed gearbox would be superfluous; this handbuilt V-8 spools out so much grunt over such a wide powerband, it could probably get by on three gears. The net result is a 0-to-60 blast in just 4.4 seconds.
The rest of the AMG treatment is as you'd expect: 19-inch alloys wearing performance rubber, beefier brakes and suspension tuning (including Mercedes-Benz's excellent Airmatic Dual Control air-suspension system), subtly revised front/rear fascias, AMG badging, and a rumbling, quad-tipped exhaust. The CLS's interior appointments already resemble designer furniture, but are even more sumptuous in AMG trim. Scrumptilicious Nappa leather trim wraps around thickly bolstered sport seats; they're 10-way adjustable, heated, and offer three-way memory. Local groupies dug the matte-finished wood trim, too. The trend toward more natural-looking wood is spreading, and we're all for it, as it brings out the material's grain and keeps it from looking like well-rendered plastic. Like Charlize's tight black party dress, the cabin is a bit snug (especially for passengers aft) but damn stylish because of it.
Thanks to modern tire technology, the tuneabilty of today's air-suspension and computer-controlled damping systems, and a high level of competence on behalf of AMG's engineers, the CLS55 offers higher handling levels than does the standard CLS, with little compromise in ride quality. It doesn't deliver the chassis feedback or turn in with the sharpness of BMW's new M5, but it's a handler and rides beautifully on all but the nastiest pavement. Even though the CLS is based on the E-Class, it sits a bit lower and likely has a lower center of gravity, so it rolls less. Early versions of models equipped with Mercedes's electronic braking system suffered from a wooden pedal feel and nonlinear modulation. Improvements have been made, and these brakes feel much better, if still not wholly organic.
The demi-coupe shape must do a good job at wind cheating, because the CLS seems quieter than an E-Class. As is typical among all Mercedes AMG models, the CLS55's high-speed stability is rock solid. You couldn't ask for more from a performance powertrain; there's punch everywhere, and the transmission always seems to be in the right gear at the right time. There's a slight dent in the powerband when you toe the throttle just as the supercharger kicks in, but, otherwise, it'll pin your kidneys to those Nappa leather seats and sounds like polished thunder doing so.
If the CLS55 has a competitor, it's BMW's upcoming M6. Even then, they're different: The M6 is a two-door coupe, has a unique V-10 powerplant, and comes only with a seven-speed sequential manual gearbox. One thing's for sure: Both will be rare. Even finger-snapping Hollywood types may have to drop names and burn favors to get a CLS55; Mercedes-Benz plans to sell only about 1500 per year (limited production numbers are part of AMG's exclusive nature). At least the stars' money handlers won't freak out, since they'll be getting change back from a $100,000 bill.
2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS55 AMG
Base price $89,020
AS-TESTED price $98,880
Vehicle layout Front engine, RWD, 4-door, 4-pass sedan
Engine 5.4L / 469 hp / 516 lb-ft, supercharged, SOHC 24-valve V-8
Transmission 5-speed automatic
Curb weight 4322 lb
Wheelbase 112.4 in
Length x width x height 193.3 x 73.7 x 55.2 in
0-60 mph 4.4 sec
EPA city/hwy FUEL econ 14/20 mpg
On sale in U.S. Currently
http://motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_0507_mb_cls5502_l.jpg
http://motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_0507_mb_cls5503_z.jpg http://motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_0507_mb_cls5504_z.jpg
http://motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_0507_mb_cls5505_z.jpg http://motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_0507_mb_cls5506_z.jpg