2013 Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG

Rather than fuss with the seemingly pedestrian, entry-level Mercedes-Benz CL550 4Matic, starting at just $116,205, we recently straightened our tie and climbed right into the burly flagship at the other end of the CL-Class range – the most exclusive entry behind the velvet ropes that goes by the name CL65 AMG.

With a price of $214,105, the bad-boy of big Benzes soars in rarified air – the same stratosphere occupied by Aston Martin and Bentley. Like the S65 AMG, its sedan sibling, the coupe is fitted with a handcrafted 6.0-liter bi-turbo V12 that delivers 621 horsepower and a mind-boggling 738 pound-feet of torque. Mirroring the sedan, the CL65 is also equipped with the automaker's robust five-speed "AMG Speedshift" automatic transmission sending power to just the rear wheels. Loaded with nearly every option in the automaker's arsenal, but all fitted as standard equipment, the four-place cabin is a cocoon that keeps its occupants isolated from the outside world while coddling them with the world's finest upholstery and trim. The CL65 AMG is elegant, spectacular and very exclusive.

Driving Notes

• The V12 engine provides thrust levels that are more common to small jets. Despite the large displacement, there is slight turbo lag as the turbochargers build up their 22 psi of boost. Once pressure hits, a fraction of a second later, the driver plays spectator to a ferocious battle between the engine and electronic traction control system as the 4,940-pound coupe launches to 60 miles per hour in about 4.2 seconds. Triple digits on the electronic display arrive effortlessly and its passing power leaves everyone giggling. The engineers have restricted its terminal velocity to only 186 mph, apparently to prevent it from going into orbit.

• Mercedes calls the CL65's Active Body Control (ABC) underpinnings "arguably the most advanced suspension in production" as its hydraulic systems actively control squat, roll, vibration, pitch and dive during maneuvers - it even mitigates the effects of crosswinds. Despite its AMG-calibration, and a near lack of body roll, the suspension never felt harsh or rough. Truth be told, it was actually much softer and more comfortable than we had expected it to be.

• Twin-sliding front calipers, over 15.4-inch perforated rotors (the holes are cast in place), provide confident levels of stopping power and look great inside the forged 20-inch wheels. The high-performance tires are 255/35R20 front and 275/35R20 rear, with wide contact patches that contribute to stability. Those meaty rubbers are needed to keep the heavy coupe planted on the pavement, but noise from the tires annoyingly permeates the cabin on certain road surfaces.

• Four adults will fit comfortably inside the CL65 AMG. Front passengers have an enormous amount of room to stretch out, but backseat passengers will need those up front to move forward a bit for the most comfortable accommodations. We marveled at the fit and finish, but would pass on the slick steering wheel and gloss black trim in favor of carbon fiber or wood.

• The CL65 AMG feels more athletic and slightly more nimble than the strapping Bentley Continental GT, but not as agile and spry as the smaller and lighter Aston Martin DB9. The Mercedes-Benz CL-Class is a better four-passenger vehicle than both of its competitors, but its discreet badging may not warrant the same attention from an ignorant valet - lest it be confused with a visually similar CL550 – possibly damaging a fragile ego.

Preview: 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLA

Mercedes is still trying to play catch up to the other two premium German automotive manufacturers  playing in the same arenas globally. BMW led again in the month of March 2013 selling 191,269 units which includes both Mini and Rolls-Royce. Audi has for some time now been attempting to chase BMW but for the same period they managed to move 147,700 units, the difference is however closing slowly. Mercedes on the other hand is still lagging behind these two having sold 139,920 units globally. A major chunk of Mercedes sales come from the E-Class, the C-Class and now those numbers are being shored up by the new M-Class. Yet what Mercedes needs to get back its crown is a product that will bring them mass appeal. To achieve that goal Mercedes will need to make a massive play in Europe and the USA, two of its largest markets. But the company also foresees increasing demand in countries like India, targeting the upwardly mobile looking for an affordable prestige brand. Its why the upcoming CLA, an entry level sedan is so, so important for Mercedes.

What will set the CLA apart is that none of Mercedes’ rivals in India will have a sedan in the same segment. Yes the Audi A3 will come to India as well as the BMW 1 Series sedan but we assume Mercedes will enjoy first mover advantage.

When launched the CLA will be positioned lower than the C-Class. It will be the most affordable car from the brand with the three-point star, cheaper we expect than the current B-Class even. Mercedes will achieve this by assembling the car here in India though we don’t expect them to localise any production, except for tyres and the battery.

Naturally you’d expect this to be a small sedan but you’d be surprised to know that the CLA is both longer and wider than the C-Class as you can see above. However it’s lower than the C in keeping with that dynamic coupe like design. Both cars also have almost the same boot space. The fact that it’s also a very handsome machine, much nicer to look at than anything Mercedes has to offer to India will also helps matters greatly. The swoopy CLA will definitely appeal to our buyers but what about the stuff that’s beneath the suave skin. We take a look.

By Team Overdrive
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Bigger C-class line to challenge BMW 3 series

Mercedes-Benz will add a convertible and diesel- and hybrid-powered sedans to its C-class lineup after the car is redesigned next year.

The current C class is offered only as a sedan and coupe and only with gasoline engines. On its rival 3 series, BMW offers coupe, convertible, station wagon, diesel and hybrid versions.

"We were fighting the 3 series with two arms tied behind our back, and now we will change that," Mercedes-Benz USA CEO Steve Cannon said in an interview.

The redesigned, U.S.-built C-class sedan will go on sale in August 2014 after debuting at the Detroit auto show in January.

BMW has long been the leader in the small luxury segment, but Mercedes began to cut into the margin when it brought out a C-class coupe in the fall of 2011.

When only sedans are counted, the gap between the C class and 3 series is small. Mercedes sold 70,493 C-class sedans last year, compared with 75,183 3-series sedan sales. But when all of BMW's variants are added, the 3 series outsold the C class 99,602 to 81,697.

The gap between the arch rivals was significantly bigger in 2010: 100,910 3 series, compared with 58,785 C-class units.

BMW's 3-series sedan was redesigned for the 2013 model year. The coupe and convertible will renamed the 4 series when they are redesigned for the 2014 model year.

The new C-class sedan will be followed by a redesigned coupe in early 2015. The convertible also is scheduled to go on sale in 2015. That will be followed by diesel and hybrid models and an all-wheel drive option. Cannon did not say when those models will arrive, but a spokesman said the hybrid will debut in 2015.

The redesigned C-class station wagon will not be sold in the United States because of low anticipated demand, said Cannon. Mercedes has not offered a wagon version of the C class for more then a decade.

The redesigned C-class exterior will be changed significantly, Cannon said. Spy photos show a car that keeps its wedge shape but has crisper and sharper lines.

Mercedes-Benz will not add crossover variants to the C class lineup. Cannon called vehicles such as the BMW 3-series GT, a crossover that arrives next year, "an answer to product question that no one is asking for."

"We would rather not do that," he said. "Rather than offering a station wagon, we clearly know that SUVs and light trucks are the way to go."

Mercedes-Benz does not plan to offer a C-class version with less content to compete with the $33,445 BMW 320i sedan that goes on sale this month. That's mainly because the C class no longer will be Mercedes' entry-level car in the United States after the fwd compact CLA sedan goes on sale in September.

Mercedes' factory in Tuscaloosa, Ala., is being expanded to produce the C-class sedan for North America starting next year. C-class capacity for North America will be at least 100,000 units annually, Cannon said.

For the first time, the C class will be powered by an engine built in the United States. Parent company Daimler and Nissan will produce four-cylinder Mercedes-Benz engines jointly at Nissan's plant in Dechard, Tenn., starting in 2014.

Cannon said only the 2.0-liter turbocharged variant will be used in the C class for the United States.

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