MERCEDES-BENZ CLS-CLASS IS A DESIGN ICON

TORONTO, ON – With its eye-catching profile, the Mercedes-Benz CLS coupe has spurred an automotive industry trend toward more stylish four-door cars, vehicles that blur the line between coupe and sedan. The world’s first four-door coupe, the CLS burst on the 2006 automotive scene as an entirely new class of vehicle for Mercedes-Benz.

For the 2008 model year, the CLS line includes the CLS 550, powered by a DOHC four-valve-per-cylinder V8 engine that produces 382-horsepower and 392 pound-feet of torque, and the high-performance CLS63 AMG, fitted with a AMG-designed 6.2-litre V8 that produces 507 hp and 465 lb.-ft. of torque.

A handsome, coupe-like car that boasts the comfort and convenience of four doors, the CLS features sleek, sensuous exterior lines. Its large rear doors and spacious rear seats also represent tangible added value.

Those stylish contours continue throughout the interior, which is complemented by an abundance of leather and wood. Looking through a four-spoke steering wheel, three chronometer-type gauges and two LCD bar graphs in the instrument cluster are accented by chrome rings and more wood trim. Four-zone climate control regulates temperature separately for each front and rear seat. The rear passengers even have their own digital control panel for setting a desired temperature and adjusting airflow.

A large COMAND colour display screen uses one set of easy-to-use controls for the audio system (includes AM/FM/ weatherband and CD), standard satellite radio and optional features such as GPS satellite navigation and an integrated phone. The system includes a full array of mobile communications functions when combined with the optional phone.

A standard harman/kardon LOGIC 7 digital surround sound system provides a luxurious listening experience. The system converts every conventional stereo signal from the radio and CD player into surround sound with seven output channels, offering audio perfection for passengers, regardless of where they are sitting. The sound system includes a digital signal processor, has a total output of 480 watts and plays through 12 high-end speakers, including two speakers on the rear parcel shelf that produce the surround effect. The system even adjusts volume automatically to compensate for ambient driving noise.

The CLS offers optional climate comfort seats, an option first introduced in the S-Class. Fans inside each of the front seats draw air from the footwell that flows evenly through the perforated leather upholstery so that seats heated by the summer sun can cool down quickly.

The Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG is powered by one of the most powerful naturally aspirated production V8s ever, also the first engine developed entirely by AMG. Built almost completely from a high-strength silicon-aluminium alloy, the new 6.2-litre features four valves per cylinder, double overhead camshafts with variable valve timing, bucket tappets (rather than rocker arms), an 11.3-to 1 compression ratio and a variable intake manifold. A first for a production engine, the cylinder bores feature a twin-wire-arc-sprayed (TWAS) coating, a new process that results in impressively low friction and running surfaces that are twice as hard as conventional cast-iron cylinders.

AMG engineers designed the 6.2-litre engine block with an especially rigid bedplate at the main bearings, cast-in steel reinforcements and a sturdy closed-deck layout beside the cylinder head. The engine shares no parts with Mercedes-Benz V8 engines. The new 6.2 AMG engine revs freely to over 7,000 rpm, yet already produces nearly 90 percent of its peak torque at only 2,000 rpm.

Power is transmitted to the rear wheels of the new CLS63 AMG via the 7G-TRONIC, seven-speed AMG Speedshift automatic transmission that can be shifted manually by either a conventional lever or Formula-1 style shift paddles on the AMG sport steering wheel. To give performance-minded drivers total control of shifting, the manual mode of AMG Speedshift doesn’t permit any automatic upshifts – even at max engine speed – or automatic downshifts, even under full load. AMG Speedshift electronic control provides 35% faster gear shifts and torque converter lockup from 1st gear.

AMG engineers developed a sports suspension for the CLS63 AMG that’s based on the Mercedes-Benz semi-active air suspension. For flatter cornering, the springs, shocks and stabilizer bars are stiffer than on the CLS550. The CLS63 AMG air suspension includes automatic level control that maintains ride height even when the car is loaded with passengers and cargo, and the driver can choose from three sport-comfort settings as well.

Speed-sensitive power steering ensures low steering effort for low speed maneuvers such as parallel parking but automatically reduces the steering assist above 100 km/h to provide good road feel.

To make sure the CLS63 AMG stops as fast as it goes, giant vented and perforated disc brakes all around feature 355 mm (14-inch) discs and six-piston calipers up front and 330 mm (13-inch) discs with four-piston calipers at the rear. Staggered 19-inch wheels with 8 ½ and 9 ½ inch widths carry 255 / 35 tires in front and 285 / 30 at the rear.

To help handle all the power, the ESP system can apply the brakes on just one wheel to transfer torque to the wheels with better traction, achieving much the same effect as a limited-slip differential. Beefier driveshafts, heavy-duty rear suspension parts and a stronger differential housing with cooling fins complete the package.

The AMG engine’s exhaust system is just as sophisticated as the rest of the car. With the exception of the two exhaust manifolds, the complete exhaust systems of each Mercedes-AMG model have been designed specifically for that application.

All four catalytic converters are of ceramic material and feature thin-wall technology. Larger surface area in the catalytic converters provides reduced exhaust back pressure and more rapid heating on a cold start, to benefit both performance and exhaust emissions.

The CLS63 AMG can be ordered with the optional performance package that allows a 300 km/h top speed instead of the usual 250 km/h speed limiter. Other features in the package include AMG Airmatic sport suspension, 19-inch alloy wheels, larger front discs (15.4 - inch diameter), a limited-slip differential and a leather and alcantara-wrapped AMG sport steering wheel.

The technicians at Mercedes-AMG actually assemble every engine by hand, ensuring precision tolerances. Individual workmanship and skill are paramount – each technician is responsible for a complete engine, an approach that has been labelled, “One Man, One Engine.” The craftsman installs each and every part himself with the utmost care, from the crankshaft, connecting rods and pistons to the wire harness. When the job is done, a plaque signed by the technician is affixed to the engine as a symbol of the personal pride and care taken with each engine.

AMG has been a subsidiary of Daimler since 1999 and is located near Stuttgart in Affalterbach, Germany. AMG employs 750 specialists in development, production and administrative areas. AMG develops each of its models, from the engine and driveline to suspension, brakes, chassis and aerodynamics. Each engine is produced and tested at AMG's headquarters in Affalterbach, and AMG models are assembled at the main Mercedes-Benz vehicle assembly plants.

Mercedes-Benz Canada is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of the three brands within the Mercedes Car Group in Canada; Mercedes-Benz, smart, and Maybach. Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Mercedes-Benz Canada employs approximately 990 people in 19 locations across Canada. Through a nationwide network of 18 Mercedes-Benz owned retail operations and 39 authorized dealerships, Mercedes-Benz Canada sold 17,567 vehicles in 2006, the best year ever reported for Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.

Contact:

JoAnne Caza 416-847-7550 caza@mercedes-benz.ca

Arden Nerling 416-847-7556 nerling@mercedes-benz.ca

Further information from Mercedes-Benz is available on the internet at:  www.media.mercedes-benz.ca