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

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes CLS Class Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes CLS Class 63 AMG Shooting Brake PP is the 7 speed / 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 W-Motors Lykan HyperSport 3.7L Twin Turbo.This particular Mercedes CLS Class has a 5461cc Turbo 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 PP 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 550 bhp (410 kW) @ 5250 rpm similar to the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (542 bhp) or the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 (542 bhp).

The Turbo V8 throws out 590 lb-ft (799.9 Nm) @ 2000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (568 lb-ft) or the 2023 McLaren 750S 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (590 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 2013 Vauxhall-Opel VXR8 GTS 6.2 V8 (306.2 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 281.3 bhp per ton and 301.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2012 CLS Class competing with the 2013 Vauxhall-Opel VXR8 GTS 6.2 V8 (306.2 bhp per ton) or the 1996 TVR Cerbera 4.2 (305.8 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 301.7 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 2001 Noble M12 GTO 2.6 V6 Turbo (326.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 1968 Iso Grifo 7 Litre (326.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.1 secs, this made the Mercedes CLS Class 63 AMG Shooting Brake PP as fast as the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (4.00 secs) the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (4.00 secs) the 2021 Audi e-tron GT Quattro (4.00 secs) the or the 2020 Lotus Evora GT410 Sport 3.5 V6 Supercharged (4.00 secs). This Mercedes CLS Class 63 AMG Shooting Brake PP is also faster than the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (4.10 secs) the 2022 BMW XM 4.4 V8 Twin Turbo G09 (4.10 secs) the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 (4.10 secs) the and the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged (4.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the CLS Class and the 2008 Lotus Europa SE 2.0 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes CLS Class on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.57 secs @ 108.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2008 Lotus Europa SE 2.0 Turbo (12.51 secs), the 2003 Volvo S60 2.5R (12.51 secs), and the 1948 Ferrari 166 MM (12.52 secs).

Top Speed:

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