L.A. AUTO SHOW SPITS OUT ALL-NEW MERCEDES-BENZ CLS 63 AMG

The 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show is under way and Mercedes-Benz has taken the opportunity to unveil this awesome looking CLS AMG. It’s based on the all-new CLS and features Merc’s brand new 5.5-litre twin turbo V8 engine for maximum performance. You’ll recall that Merc has recently replaced its old 6.2-litre V8 for this engine.

Total power output has been raised slightly over the outgoing car, right up to 386kW which is made at 5500rpm. Peak torque is 700Nm between 1750rpm and 5000rpm. At this level the CLS 63 AMG will accelerate from 0 – 100km/h in 4.4 seconds, topping off at 250km/h. The car runs a 7-speed Speedshift MCT gearbox with a single clutch.

There’s more. With an optional AMG Performance Package power can be increased even more to attain performance on par with new supercars. This means a rush of 410kW running through its veins at 5500rpm. Torque, sent to the rear wheels, is upped to 800Nm between 2000rpm and 4500rpm. Merc says it will go from 0 – 100km/h in 4.3 seconds and stop running at about 300km/h.

The AMG Performance Package brings with it extra kit like a carbon fibre rear spoiler, red brake calipers, Alcantara applications inside and others. I can’t really say if this package will be available in South Africa when the car launches in 2011 but since we are a top 10 AMG seller, it should be.