Thanks to the team at Juffali Automotive Company I was able to get behind the wheel of the brand new CL63 AMG during my last trip to Jeddah. Unfortunately though they were not so keen to have me test its performance limits nor was I even allowed to add too many kilometres to the odometer. So off I set on my best behaviour.
Mercedes’ latest offspring is capable of hitting 100km/h in just 4.6 seconds and can continue gunning it until it hits the 250km/h limiter. To put those figures in perspective a CL63 will toast every Aston and Bentley out there, it will beat the Corvette Z06 as well as the Porsche 911 GT3; it even easily matches the Audi R8 speed-for-speed.
Now consider these figures are produced by a smooth pillarless 4-seat coupé that cocoons you from the outside world while you sit back and enjoy a massage from the gorgeous seats. In terms of the ease with which it delivers supercar performance, the CL63 is beyond belief. You can honestly be going at 200km/h and have no idea. Apparently Mercedes is aware of this fact and you can press a few buttons and get an enlarged digital speed just in case you’re tempted to go beyond what is legal.
The CL63 was designed with one car firmly in its sights and that was the Bentley Continental GT. When you compare the two you will see that the Mercedes is 10 cheaper, 15 per cent faster, it has superior ride and handling qualities, the rear seats in the Mercedes are actually made for adults and lastly the boot is much bigger. However, it’s not all plain sailing for this Mercedes. If there is one area that Bentley trumps its German rival, it’s on desirability. Mercedes can churn out as many cars in a month as the British manufacturer does in a year, but it won’t change the extraordinary appeal and status a Bentley brings to its owner. The ubiquity of the German brand does have its pluses though, especially if you’re the type of driver that likes to melt into the crowd, mingle in the car park and not stand out in a traffic jam. But don’t let that hold you back, because just one heart-felt flooring of the accelerator and – boom – you’ve just embarrassed the Porsche owner challenging you to a rev-up duel. No one will see you coming. This is ultimate stealth power.
The CL63’s styling is an evolution of the last model with the most apparent changes being the head-and tail-lights. The headlights themselves add a certain aggression to the looks, conveying a slight frown to any onlooker. I am not such a fan of the tail lights, which are a break from tradition and actually remind me a little too much of the Bentley’s rear lights. However, the most beautiful aspect of any CL is the clean arcing roofline that cleverly disguises the sheer size of the vehicle. Like the new S-Class, this CL has newly accentuated wheel arches and a confident swage-line sculpted into its curvy flanks. Simply said, the exterior is confident and unpretentious.
The interior of the car features the usual generous dose of wood trim but now there are metallic switches and aluminium trim. Also, there are so many option combinations available that you must choose wisely. For instance, I didn’t take to the matt light coloured wood on this test car as it seemed very plastic-like. Also I am a big fan of the newly available diamond cross-stitched leather seats but they were not chosen on this test car. In any case upon careful scrutiny, the interior is one of the finest in the industry, with exceptional materials and the best fit and finish of its class.
Technologically this car is a tour-de-force. You slip into the CL63 via the Keyless-Go system with the starter positioned intelligently. Like the S-Class, the CL's transmission shifter is now simply a small stalk on the steering wheel, making way for the electronic multi-interface. The menus are clear and the controller is easy to work. In fact, I felt comfortable with the system within a few minutes without having to refer to the manual. The heating, ventilation and massage functions on the seats are always a welcome addition. And another great feature is the Night-View Assist system that increases night-time visibility by up to 125 per cent and operates by an infrared light continually scanning the road ahead and transmitting the results to a screen in the place of the speedometre. The Distronic Plus, a radar-based adaptive cruise control system that automatically accelerates and brakes based on vehicle traffic, makes routine driving all the more relaxing.
But this car is as much about sport as it is about comfort. The 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission has some manual paddles hidden on the rear of the steering wheel. There is, of course, the AMG sport-tuned switchable ABC suspension and the high-performance 390mm brakes clamped by AMG’s clever, twin sliding calliper set-up, which gives greater pad area with better management of heat. The AMG exhaust system varies from silent cruiser to bloodcurdling monster depending on how high you take the revs.
All in all the CL63 AMG is a hugely entertaining car with unimaginable power reserves. The steering is direct and quick and the visibility perfect. Because of the abundance of electronic aids the car has minimal body roll, excellent traction and the turn in speeds will far exceed your expectation. In short, it is confidence inspiring. Although it may be a little imposing in size, the CL63 AMG is a proper 4-seater coupé that makes a very subtle statement about its sporting intentions. This car is supreme as a long-distance runner with comprehensive levels of equipment and superlative comfort. To cut a long story short, you would be a lucky to own one.
Contact
Juffali Automotive Company
Jeddah, KSA
Tel +966 2 664 6578
HYPERLINK "http://www.juffali.mercedes-benz.com" www.juffali.mercedes-benz.com
