Mercedes CLS55 AMG W219

Mercedes can call their CLS a four-door coupe all they like; it still looks like a sedan to me. And I mean, come on, sedans are way more cool than coupes anyway, right? The CLS is certainly one interesting piece of work: it's a little droopy from some angles but this is Mercedes' best and most refreshing work in a while, and Mercedes hardly makes ugly cars. A little pointless? Maybe. Scary fast? You betcha! AMG's tried and tested workhorse, the supercharged V8 from the E55, finds more work in the CLS. Same displacement, same output, same blistering performance everyone has come to take for granted with AMG.The CLS55's AMG-sourced SpeedShift five-speed automatic gearbox, braking system featuring ventilated and perforated brake discs and tauter-prepared AirMatic DC air suspension with adaptive damping are also lifted straight out of the E55's bin. The only difference is the 18-inch wheel and tire combinations, which are a little wider at all corners. The interior is draped in luxurious nappa leather and Alcantara featuring AMG's special stitching. Even for those who fancy themselves to be Kimi Raikkonen, Mercedes is keen to let drivers know that they are driving a 100,000 dollar car, after all!Above all, the CLS55 excels with its prodigious low-end pulling power, super-stick traction, high-speed stability and smooth shifting transmission. It doesn't require the careful set-up nor the determination and concentration demanded by the BMW M5 to drive blisteringly quick, but it trades this luxury of comfort for slower lap times and a slightly disconnected steering. Ultimately, the CLS55 AMG vs. M5 question is one of fortifying one's home base, as both the CLS55 and M5 do what Mercedes and BMW each do best. - by Traian Popescu

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