2008 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Review

It's easy to be beguiled by the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG coupe. It's basically a new two-door version of Mercedes' flagship S-Class sedan, modified by Mercedes' savvy AMG high-performance operation.

The S-Class sedan looks like a stately Mercedes. The CL63 AMG coupe looks like a street fighter in a tuxedo. 

You wouldn't want to pick a fight with the $137,000 CL63 AMG coupe. It's a rocket with its 6.3-liter V-8. The specially built engine churns out 518 horsepower and a massive 465 pound-feet of torque, which is almost enough to catapult a driver from his seat out the back window if he mashes the accelerator pedal.

Wonder why the car costs so much? For one thing, its AMG-designed V-8 shares no parts with other Mercedes V-8s, although they're plenty potent. This is one of the most powerful, non-turbocharged or supercharged production V-8s, with features derived from AMG's successful racing efforts. It's built almost entirely from a high-strength silicon-aluminum alloy and has four valves per cylinder, variable valve timing and a variable intake manifold.

The V-8 features a "first" for a production engine: cylinder bores have a twin-wire-arc-sprayed coating. That's a new process that results in very low friction and running surfaces twice as hard as conventional cast-iron cylinders. In short, the engine should last just about forever.

The V-8 is matched to a responsive seven-speed automatic transmission that upshifts smoothly and downshifts quickly and has a manual shift feature. Some high-performance cars only have five- or six-speed automatics.

My test CL63 AMG coupe was blessed with the $7,000 AMG Performance Package, which allows an electronically limited top speed of 186 mph with 20-inch twin spoke alloy wheels working with a lowered, stiffened chassis.

Top speed without that option is limited to 156 mph. Passing tests on highways seemingly took a few eyeblinks.

To handle the power, the new Mercedes has a sports suspension that provides a supple ride and superb handling, especially for a big, 4,789-pound coupe.

The precise steering has a nice, hefty feel. And AMG makes good use of Mercedes' "ABC" active suspension, modifying it for flatter cornering and less body movement when accelerating and braking.

A Sport-Comfort-Manual button on the console lets a driver choose between three different transmission shift programs that also fine-tune accelerator pedal response and sport-suspension spring and shock absorber settings.

Enormous high-performance anti-lock brakes stop the car from 70 mph in only about 160 feet, with good pedal feel. The AMG twin sliding calipers on the front brakes combine the performance of a large fixed caliper with advantages of a floating caliper. That allows lower heat transfer to the brake fluid, which you don't want to boil during race-track-style driving.

Standard safety features include front-, rear- and curtain-side air bags, traction control and an anti-skid system.

The coupe looks the part, with a sleek, no-nonsense shape. Long, heavy doors with oversized handles allow easy entry to the big, supportive front seats -- but will cause its driver to avoid tight parking spots.

Besides the costly (don't rub them against curbs!) alloy wheels, there's a muscular front bumper with large air intakes that house chrome-ringed fog lights. Contoured side skirts carry the front bumper's aggressive lines to the rear, where an AMG rear "apron" emphasizes the car's width.

A "6.3 AMG" badge is on each front fender. But the pair of twin tailpipes that emit menacing rumbles from the V-8 when it's idling will more likely warn muscle car drivers not to mess with this Mercedes.

The CL63 AMG coupe does 0-60 mph in just 4.3 seconds and reportedly hits 100 mph in 10.2 seconds. Car and Driver magazine found it only takes the car 12.8 seconds to storm through the quarter mile, where it does 113 mph.

Fuel economy? That's a peripheral concern with this car, but the figures are an estimated 11 mpg in the city and 18 on highways with required premium fuel. But steady 65-70 mph cruising should get you 20 mpg.

The CL63 AMG coupe's interior is loaded with comfort and convenience items. Drivers face an AMG sport wheel with aluminum shift paddles for manual transmission operation and AMG multi-contour leather sport seats finished in special piping. There's even an exclusive analog clock based on the design of the "IWC-Ingenieur" series in the dashboard center.

The cockpit is quiet, except for "tire slap" from the unusually large, wide tires on certain roads. It's roomy up front and door storage pockets are deep. But getting in and out of the twin bucket seats in the rear calls for body contortions, and legroom for a tall passenger is tight behind the driver.

Gauge numbers should be larger, and thick windshield posts partially block vision when you're turning a corner. Most major controls are easily reached. But a Mercedes COMMAND system integrates many audio, navigation and other secondary controls into a console-mounted rotary-knob controlled interface that can make you crazy trying to work it.

The large, usefully shaped trunk has a wide opening. And there's no need to spend 15 minutes injuring fingers while trying to find the outside hood release, which can be a frustrating experience with too many cars.

You won't find the Mercedes CL63 AMG coupe outside many exclusive neighborhoods, but the same was true for 1930s Duesenbergs. 

2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CL63 AMG 

PRICE: $137,000. 

LIKES: Genuine 186-mph car. Mighty V-8. Precise steering, handling and braking. Street-fighter look.

DISLIKES: Complicated rotary accessory control. Very big and heavy. Rear entry and exit. Tight legroom behind driver.