Car Information

Mercedes-Benz reinvented the idea of a stylish, four-door, premium coupe when the German automaker released the CLS in 2004. Last year, the AMG-tuned CLS got a significant upgrade when the AMG-designed and developed 6.3-liter V8 engine was shoehorned under the hood.

The first AMG-designed engine, the 6.3-liter V8, is carried over from 2009, good for 507 horsepower along with 465 lb.-ft. of torque under the hood of this shapely sedan. Its V8 burble is made louder than last year's car thanks to a less restrictive exhaust installed for 2009. The V8 is exclusively hooked up to a 7-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and an aggressive shift sport mode shift mapping. For 2009, the gearbox blips the throttle automatically on downshifts.

On the outside, the new models are identified by their two-fin grille instead of the old three-spoke nose. From the cockpit, a new three-spoke AMG sports steering wheel with aluminum AMG paddles controls the car.

Essentially a rebodied E63, the CLS63 puts style above all else thanks to a lowered roof, puckered tail and curvy dashboard. Where the E-Class is practical and upright, the CLS seeks to be evocative and emotional.

The CLS63 gets the full AMG treatment, including upgraded brakes, a sport suspension and new 19-inch aluminum wheels, up an inch from last year's model. It also gets a unique bodykit outside and sportier premium leather seats inside.

An AMG Performance Package adds a limited slip differential, a raised speed limiter (to 186 miles per hour, from 155), further upgraded brakes, an Alcantara synthetic suede steering wheel and unique alloy wheels.

Major options include ventilated seats, navigation, Xenon headlamps and adaptive cruise control.