The statement “BMW is the new Mercedes” might stir up controversy, but it prompts a valid question: what has Mercedes-Benz become? For those accustomed to the traditional notions of each brand, the shift towards a softer, more luxurious BMW focused on comfort over outright performance may be a surprise. However, the focus here is not on BMW, but on Mercedes-Benz, the quintessential German luxury car company. To truly understand their current offerings, we spent a week behind the wheel of a six-figure marvel: the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG.
Exterior Aesthetics: A Bold Evolution
The first generation CLS didn’t resonate with everyone. Some, like myself, preferred the classic profile of the E-Class, appreciating its high roofline and ample rear headroom. Perhaps the original CLS’s design, with its sloping lines, was polarizing.
However, the 2013 CLS marks a significant evolution. The front fascia is adorned with a striking and assertive grille. The side profile departs from the previous “half-moon” character line, embracing a more muscular, almost American design, particularly noticeable in the rear haunches. The rear end features a more conventional trunk lid, resolving any previous criticisms of its shape. The CLS hasn’t become more upright, but rather, it has refined its design language, achieving a sophisticated yet sporty stance.
Understanding Mercedes-Benz’s naming convention is crucial. While removing two doors from an S-Class yields a CL, the CLS isn’t simply an E-Class with added doors. Instead, it’s based on the E-Class platform, but with a lowered profile, frameless windows, four seats, and a considerably higher price tag. This strategy allows Mercedes to maintain the E-Class’s traditional design while catering to buyers seeking a more stylish, albeit pricier, four-seat alternative. In the realm of high-performance models, the CLS offers a slightly different value proposition. Starting at $109,150, the CLS63 AMG commands a premium over the E63 AMG, reflecting its exclusivity and design focus.
Interior Comfort and AMG Touches
Performance models often prioritize speed and handling, sometimes at the expense of interior refinement. While the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG receives AMG-specific interior enhancements, they are subtle. These include AMG badging, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and unique AMG controls on the center console. The CLS shares many interior components with the E-Class, which, while high-quality, might feel less exclusive given the CLS’s higher price point. This parts sharing isn’t unique to Mercedes; Audi’s A7, S7, and RS7 also share interior elements with the A6. BMW’s 6 Series, with its higher base price, differentiates itself more significantly from its lower-priced counterparts in terms of interior appointments. Personal preferences aside, the BMW M6 Gran Coupé arguably boasts a more distinct interior, justified by its higher price.
However, the front seat comfort in the CLS63 is undeniably excellent. The seats offer a wide range of adjustments, complemented by a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel. Our test model included the optional “Premium Package” with Mercedes-Benz’s “active multicontour” driver’s seat. This feature, typically reserved for higher-end Mercedes models for both driver and passenger, provides massage functions, adjustable seat contours, and dynamic bolsters. The dynamic bolsters, which subtly adjust to keep you secure during cornering, are a standout feature, enhancing the driving experience.
No four-door coupé is truly designed for rear passenger comfort as its primary focus. They prioritize style and the ability to transport a couple of passengers and luggage. This was evident when using the CLS63 AMG as prom transportation. While a larger sedan might have been more comfortable for a taller passenger, the CLS63 AMG’s allure was undeniable. Rear headroom is limited, a common trait among four-door coupés like the Audi A7 and BMW 6 Gran Coupe. The 15.3 cubic foot trunk is surprisingly practical, especially with folding rear seats, expanding cargo capacity. While the Audi A7 offers more cargo space and a hatchback for added versatility, the CLS63 AMG strikes a balance between style and practicality. The BMW Gran Coupe has slightly more trunk space, but its rear seats don’t fold as flat, impacting overall utility.
Infotainment System: Lagging Behind the Curve
In today’s luxury market, a cutting-edge infotainment system is highly desirable. This is where the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG shows its age. While Mercedes-Benz has continuously updated its COMAND system, the changes are not immediately apparent. The system still features a relatively small 7-inch LCD screen nestled within a large plastic bezel, which visually diminishes the screen size. Competitors like Audi and BMW boast larger, more visually prominent screens. Audi uses an 8-inch pop-up screen, while BMW features a wide 10.2-inch display. While Audi’s MMI system can be complex, BMW’s iDrive has evolved into a user-friendly system. COMAND falls in the middle, offering ease of use but appearing somewhat dated. Mercedes-Benz has integrated smartphone apps and internet connectivity, but the system’s processor seems to struggle to keep pace with these additions. Voice commands remain a strong point, with enhanced voice control for USB and iDevice integration, eliminating the often-annoying “talk now” beep.
Drivetrain and Performance: Torque is King
The heart of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG is its drivetrain. While competitors like Audi (RS7) and BMW (M6 Gran Coupe) opted to boost their existing turbo V8 engines, AMG took a different approach. Instead of simply tuning the 4.6L twin-turbo “M278” V8, AMG developed a larger 5.5L V8, designated the M157. The base CLS63 AMG delivers 518 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. However, the optional performance package elevates these figures to 550 horsepower and a staggering 590 lb-ft of torque, along with a stiffer suspension, sportier steering wheel, and a raised top speed limiter. This torque figure surpasses even higher-performance variants. This difference in torque is largely attributed to the increased displacement of the AMG engine.
The driving experience differs significantly from its Audi and BMW counterparts. The larger displacement AMG engine provides more pronounced low-end torque. While some turbo lag is present, it’s minimal, propelling the CLS63 AMG to impressive performance figures, including a 12-second quarter-mile at 123 mph in a 4,300lb sedan. Traction, however, is a limiting factor in the rear-wheel-drive 2013 model, which Mercedes-Benz addressed in the 2014 model year with the introduction of all-wheel drive for the performance pack CLS63 AMG.
The AMG Speedshift MCT transmission is another key element of the drivetrain. Unlike dual-clutch transmissions found in competitors, the MCT is a modified 7-speed automatic with a wet clutch replacing the torque converter. While Mercedes-Benz calls it a “multi-clutch” transmission, it operates differently from a dual-clutch system. The MCT transmission, in earlier iterations, was criticized for combining slower shifts with a less refined clutch feel. Software updates for the 2013 model year improved its responsiveness, but it still lacks the rapid gear changes of a dual-clutch transmission. The transmission doesn’t allow for queued shifts, requiring each gear change to complete before initiating the next. While shift speeds have improved to around 170ms in “Comfort” mode and 100ms in “Manual” mode, they are still slower than the 20-80ms shifts of BMW’s M-DCT dual-clutch transmission.
Driving Dynamics: A Blend of Power and Precision
On the road, the minor shortcomings of the MCT transmission are overshadowed by the glorious V8 engine note, a genuine and authentic sound, unlike some competitors’ artificial engine sounds. The steering in the CLS63 AMG is light yet precise, offering more feedback and feel compared to the BMW M6. Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system, while enhancing traction, can sometimes dampen steering feel. The debate between rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive in high-performance cars is ongoing. While AWD provides superior power delivery, it can compromise steering feel. The 2014 CLS63 AMG addressed this with the optional 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system, adding weight but enhancing grip while maintaining a rear-biased power distribution. For those who prioritize rear-wheel-drive dynamics, the 2013 model remains an appealing choice.
In terms of handling dynamics, the CLS63 AMG stands out against its competitors. The Audi RS7, based on a front-wheel-drive platform, exhibits a less ideal weight balance, impacting handling, particularly on a track. The BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe, while achieving near 50/50 weight distribution in its base 640i form, becomes slightly front-heavy in the M6 variant. The CLS63 AMG maintains a 52/48% weight distribution, contributing to its balanced handling. Combined with suspension and tire choices, the CLS63 AMG feels more agile and less nose-heavy than its Audi counterpart.
Our test CLS63 AMG was equipped with the performance package suspension, transforming it into an exceptional handling four-door coupé. The precise steering, tenacious grip, and excellent feedback make the CLS63 AMG a rewarding car to drive enthusiastically. While the M6 might feel slightly less connected and artificial at times, the CLS63 AMG, especially with the performance package, offers a more engaging driving experience. However, the ride in the M6 is arguably more comfortable than the stiffer CLS63 AMG with the performance package. Without the performance package, the CLS63 AMG offers a softer ride more akin to a traditional Mercedes-Benz, albeit with slightly less dynamic capability compared to the M6 Gran Coupé. The performance package undeniably enhances handling, but it slightly compromises the traditional Mercedes-Benz emphasis on ride comfort.
For those planning to frequently push the CLS63 AMG to its limits, the optional carbon-ceramic brakes are a worthwhile investment. The standard brakes are adequate for normal driving, but the immense power and weight of the CLS63 AMG can test their limits under hard use. The limited-slip differential is also highly recommended for optimal power delivery from a standstill. These options elevate the price, but enhance the overall performance and driving experience.
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG is a potent performance machine, and arguably the first AMG model in recent times to surpass BMW’s M division in overall performance and driving dynamics. Historically, AMG models were favored for their blend of performance, luxury, and daily usability. While the 2014 all-wheel-drive model might offer a more refined driving experience, the 2013 rear-wheel-drive CLS63 AMG delivers exhilarating performance, matching the M6 Coupé in speed and exceeding the M5 in handling precision. The sheer force of its 590 lb-ft of torque is a sensation that must be experienced to be fully appreciated. Is this the new direction for Mercedes-Benz? Perhaps, a direction that blends raw power with refined German engineering.
Hit It:
- Immense torque.
- Torque delivery is truly exceptional.
- Refined road manners and excellent steering feel.
Quit It:
- The MCT transmission could be improved with dual-clutch technology or a modern 8-speed automatic.
- The COMAND infotainment system needs a significant update.
Vehicle, insurance, and fuel were provided by Mercedes-Benz for this review.
Specifications (as tested):
0-30 mph: 2.0 seconds
0-60 mph: 4.1 seconds
1/4 mile: 12 seconds @ 123 mph
Average Fuel Economy (observed over 740 miles): 19 MPG
