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Mercedes-Benz has the storming Bentley Continental GT set clearly in its sights with the new CL63 AMG.
Set to star at this month’s Paris motor show, where it will be unveiled alongside the similarly powered but yet to be revealed S63 AMG, the big rear wheel drive coupe is the latest in a long line of AMG models to receive Mercedes-Benz’s new naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 engine, following on from the CLK63, E63, CLS63, ML63 and R63.
Power swells 25 hp beyond that of its predecessor, the supercharged 5.4-liter V8 CL55 AMG, at a solid 525 hp. Torque, on the other hand, drops by 51 lb ft to 464 lb ft, but this doesn’t seem to effect standing start performance in any way, according to Mercedes-Benz own acceleration claims.
With drive channelled through a seven speed automatic gearbox instead of the old five-speed unit used up until now, the CL63’s official 0-62mph time is 0.2sec inside that of the CL55 AMG at a storming 4.6 seconds. Significantly, it also betters the Continental GT time by a similar margin.
Top speed remains limited to 155mph, though AMG expects the majority of customers to opt for an optional performance package now being made available. It includes a remapped engine management system and high performance tyres rated to 186mph.
Planned to go on sale across Europe in January with North American deliveries set to kick off in March, the CL63 is distinguished from other new CL models (the CL500 and CL600) by a series of exterior styling changes, including new bumpers, more prominent side sills, four chromed exhausts, towering 19-inch alloy wheels – 8.5-inches wide at the front and 9.5 at the rear – 255/40 and 275/40 profile tires and 6.3 AMG badges along the flanks.
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