Performance Review: Mercedes CLS Class 63 AMG Shooting Brake - [2012]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes CLS Class Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes CLS Class 63 AMG Shooting Brake is the 7 speed / Semi-Auto version and was first brought out in 2012. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse and the 2013 Lamborghini Veneno 6.5 V12.This particular Mercedes CLS Class has a 5461cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The CLS Class shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the CLS Class's Rear Wheel Drive, Estate combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1955 kgs (4310 lbs) this makes the Mercedes CLS Class 63 AMG Shooting Brake in the same weight category as the 2022 BMW 3 Series M3 Competition Touring 3.0 xDrive or the give or take 50kg.

The Mercedes CLS Class shares the same bhp with the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (542 bhp)

In terms of power the 5461cc 32V V8 engine produces 518 bhp (386 kW) @ 5250 rpm similar to the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (542 bhp) or the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (500 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 516 lb-ft (699.6 Nm) @ 1750 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (524 lb-ft) or the 2023 Lamborghini Revuelto 6.5 V12 Petrol Hybrid (535 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Mercedes CLS Class you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2012 Aston-Martin Vantage V12 Roadster (289.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mercedes CLS Class.

The Mercedes CLS Class has a Power to weight ratio of 264.9 bhp per ton and 263.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2012 CLS Class competing with the 2012 Aston-Martin Vantage V12 Roadster (289.7 bhp per ton) or the 2004 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti F1 (289.6 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Mercedes CLS Class generating around 263.9 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2008 Wiesmann GT MF4 (288.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 2006 Porsche 911 Turbo 997 (288.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.4 secs, this made the Mercedes CLS Class 63 AMG Shooting Brake as fast as the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (4.30 secs) the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (4.30 secs) the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo (4.30 secs) the or the 2022 Lotus Eletre S 603 bhp (4.30 secs). This Mercedes CLS Class 63 AMG Shooting Brake is also faster than the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs) the 2020 Audi A4 S4 3.0 V6 Turbo (4.40 secs) the and the 2020 Bentley Bentayga 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the CLS Class and the 1968 Dodge Coronet Super Bee 6.3 V8 383

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes CLS Class on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.93 secs @ 105.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1968 Dodge Coronet Super Bee 6.3 V8 383 (12.87 secs), the 2016 Maserati Quattroporte 3.0 V6 Biturbo (12.88 secs), and the 1970 Ford Torino 2nd Gen Cobra SportsRoof Boss (12.89 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2012 version of the Mercedes CLS Class 63 AMG Shooting Brake has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2012 CLS Class equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2012 Mercedes CLS Class 63 AMG Shooting Brake then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2012 CLS Class Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison