CLS63 AMG

Even more surprising is the fact that the high-performance AMG is a pretty good daily driver, too … considering it has 116 more horsepower, a firmer suspension, tighter steering and loud exhaust. Those are all things an AMG buyer will want, though, and at $94,900, the performance for the money is almost a bargain.

The AMG V-8 transforms the CLS into a burly performance car that launches from the line with a grunt from the engine, a snort of exhaust and a whole lot of exhilaration. Cornering is delightful, and the steering is even more precise than the 550's.

An adaptive suspension adjusts for comfortable cruising or performance driving, delivering a more rigid ride in Sport mode.

The 2011 E63 AMG returns the same horsepower ratings, but its engine is a naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V-8. (Mercedes liberally uses 63 in the model name anyway.) The E63 AMG gets to 60 mph in an estimated 4.3 seconds, while the CLS63 AMG does it in 4.4 seconds or 4.3 with a performance package. That means once you throw on the AMG extras the E-Class and CLS-Class are much more alike than the E550 and CLS550. We'll see how similar the 2012 E63 AMG is once it's released later this year featuring the same turbocharged powerplant as the 2012 CLS.

    See also:

    Notes about discs
    There may be playback problems when playing copied discs. There are a large variety of discs, DVD authoring software, writing software and writers available. This variety means that there is n ...

    Safety, Reliability & Mileage
    The CL has not been crash-tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, nor is there reliability data for it. The CL550's mileage is estimated to be 15/23 mpg city/highway, and it takes pr ...

    R 300 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY: low fuel consumption MPV
    As with all BlueEFFICIENCY models from Mercedes-Benz, the R-Class features a whole range of measures to reduce fuel consumption. In addition to the direct-injection diesel engine and the low-frict ...