After Mercedes unveiled the new generation CLS, rumors started to circulate about a Shooting Brake version. And while this isn’t the first time the vehicle has been caught testing, it is yet another confirmation that the Shooting Brake is happening, however strange it may seem.
The up and coming CLS Shooting Brake was in Northern Sweden doing some winter testing when our spy photographers caught up with it. If anyone expects to see great things from this new model, we recommend they stop dreaming. The Shooting Brake model will only be a station wagon version of the CLS and will feature the same design language as its sedan brother. The technology and engine lineup will also be shared.
This means that when the CLS Shooting Brake finally makes its appearance, it will be powered by a direct-injected 3.5-liter V6 capable of producing 306 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. An AMG version is also a strong possibility.
The Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake is expected to be unveiled sometime in 2012.
When cars first get released, many tuners jump headfirst into trying to come out with a tuning package that outdoes anything the automaker has already provided. Others seem to be a little slow on the uptake and end up providing packages for vehicles that have been on the market for a little while longer. The Mercedes CLS 63 AMG was unveiled in 2010, but German tuner, MKB, have only recently revealed their upgrade for the luxury sedan, and the added power was well worth the wait.
MKB popped the hood of the CLS63 AMG and tuned the boost pressure, high flow exhaust systems, and ECU management. These powerful modifications gave the 5.5L twin turbo V8 engine a boost to the tune of 122 HP and 221 lb-ft of torque. As a result, the CLS 63 AMG now delivers a total of 640 HP and 737 lb-ft of torque.
With this added power, the Mercedes CLS63 AMG will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds, while top speed goes up to an impressive 211 mph. That top speed is like forbidden fruit, however, because it was kept limited to 186 mph. The added punch is controlled with a new set of 19" or 20" aluminum wheels wrapped around Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires.
So what if the holiday season has come and gone? For some folks, the season extends longer than just the turning of the calendar year and in the spirit of this ’extended’ season, German tuning firm Carlsson has decided to give their CK63 RS some Christmas-themed enhancements.
Their name for it? The CK63 RS Santa Edition. If only Santa used this car instead of his usual sleigh...
The whole idea behind Carlsson building a specially-themed program was to build a concept to present something for the season and, boy, did they ever. The engine specs of the car remain the same as that of the CK63 RS, which means that the car’s 5.5-liter bi-turbo V8 engine saw a noticeable bump in output, from the standard 557 horsepower and 590 lb/ft of torque all the way up to 652 horsepower and 663 lb/ft of torque, with the improvements giving the CLS63 AMG a faster 0-62 mph time of just 4.1 seconds.
Likewise, you’ll also see the same aerodynamic package, one that features a new carbon fiber front spoiler, a new spoiler lip, a new trunk lid spoiler, a rear skirt insert and diffuser, and a new set of 20" Carlsson 1/10 Brilliant Edition lightweight alloy wheels. What makes this special CK63 RS so unique is that it’s been dressed with a Diamond White Metallic paint finish that matches the Nappa Exclusive leather interior trim that comes with a "Santa Red" color.
According to Carlsson, a similar specially-themed CK63 RS will be headed to the 2012 Geneva Motor Show this March, which means that we might have more than just one of these unique bad boys on tap.
We don’t usually associate Playboy with cars, unless scantily clad women were somehow involved, but the American men’s magazine has just unveiled the top 11 hottest models people should buy in 2012. Now guys can really say they are picking up Playboy’s latest issue for the articles!
The top spot for this honorable list goes to none other than the fastest production Jaguar ever built - the XKR-S! But next to this remarkable sports car is the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4, the Fiat 500, the Range Rover Evoque, the Lexus CT 200h, the BMW 1-Series M Coupe, the Bentley Continental GTC, the Ford Mustang Boss 302, the Audi A7, the Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG, and the Hyundai Veloster.
There are certainly many fabulous vehicles to choose from on this list - and some not so fabulous vehicles - so do you agree with the top spot? Let us know in the comments section below!
The recently launched Mercedes CLS 63 AMG is powered by a 5.5-liter biturbo V8 engine that delivers a total of 518 HP and 516 lb.-ft. of torque - a very impressive output for a luxury sedan, no doubt. That being said, American tuner, Renntech, has found a way to further improve the final output of the car to an impressive 669 HP and 734 lb-ft of torque.
According to the first details offered by the tuner, this is just the Stage 1 upgrade for the CLS63 AMG. In this stage, the extra output is provided by the addition of ECU tuning software and a new exhaust system. This allows the Mercedes to sprint from 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds at a speed of 125.01 mph. Better yet, it recently took on a Nissan GT-R at the Palm Beach International Raceway where it achieved a quarter mile in 11.21 seconds at 126 mph.
The total price for this package is $3,495.
Hit the jump to watch the Renntech CLS 63 AMG in action next to the Nissan GT-R.
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