First look: Benz shows Shooting star

MERCEDES-BENZ has drawn back the curtain of secrecy from the hottest version of its new luxury load lugger, the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake, confirming it be powered by the same 5.5-litre bi-turbo V8 as the AMG sedan.

But the Stuttgart company also revealed the swoopy AMG-modified wagon will be produced in two states of tune – 386kW/700Nm and a hotter 410kW/800Nm version called Edition 1.

Mercedes-Benz Australia corporate communications senior manager David McCarthy told GoAuto that at least one AMG CLS Shooting Brake version would make the boat to Australia, along with one other petrol model – the V6 CLS 350 – and a diesel variant, probably the V6 CLS 350 CDI, when the range arrives goes on sale locally in the final quarter of this year.

He said MBA was still awaiting word from Germany on availability of the AMG models, but because the Shooting Brake AMG flagship would have a fairly low volume, his company was leaning towards the premium 410kW Edition 1 if available.

The release of images and details of the AMG Shooting Brake overnight in Germany comes a little over a week after the CLS Shooting Brake made its public debut at England’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.

With its distinctive coupe-style rear roof line that mimics that of the CLS “four-door coupe” launched in 2010, the Shooting Brake is described by Mercedes as a performance trendsetter in a new market segment.

Mercedes-AMG chairman Ola Kallenius said that, like the CLS sedan, the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake would establish a “new, small and select niche sector”.

“It is expected to delight new customers just as much as it will existing AMG enthusiasts,” he said. “The combination of performance, style and usability is unique.” Mercedes claims the AMG 63 CLS Shooting Brake can haul your groceries from zero to 100km/h in the same 4.4 seconds as the AMG 63 CLS sedan, while the extra-grunty 410kW version can clip a further tenth of a second from that.

These match the 0-100km/h times of the similarly powered E63 AMG wagons.

As always, both versions have an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h.

The combined fuel consumption figure is for both versions – 10.1 litres per 100km – which is one-tenth of a litre inferior to the sedan. Carbon dioxide emissions are claimed to be 235 grams per kilometre, helped by fuel-saving idle-stop, which can be switched off.

The AMG Shooting Brake gets the four-mode Speedshift seven-speed sports transmission as standard equipment, with Race Start for sling-shot getaways.

As part of the electronically-controlled AMG Ride Control sports suspension, the Shooting Brake gets air suspension struts on the rear axle for automatic level control.

Three suspension modes are available – Comfort, Sport and Sport plus – at the press of a button, while the ESC nanny can be managed by selecting from three modes.

Steering is AMG’s electromechanical system, with a more direct ratio than the standard versions, along with variable power assistance that adapts to the suspension mode.

With the rear seats folded flat, the AMG 63 AMG will offer the same 1550 litres of luggage space as the standard Shooting Brake. Luggage space with the seats up is 590 litres.

The cargo area can be lined with a wooden floor from the Designo range of optional extras.

The lining is made of American cherry wood – favoured by boat builders – inlaid with a darker smoked oak cut in 3mm strips by laser.

The wood is protected by brushed aluminium rails with rubber inserts for anti-slip properties.

Like the AMG CLS sedan, the Shooting Brake gets big-bore twin exhausts with chrome tips for a throaty V8 note.

Stopping power is supplied by an AMG high-performance braking system with 360mm discs all-round, with composite discs up front.

Owners can opt for larger but lighter ceramic discs, which are shown off by the words “AMG Carbon Ceramic” emblazoned on the front callipers.

AMG alloy wheels in a triple-spoke design are painted titanium grey and shod with 255/35 R19 tyres on the front and 285/30 R19 tyres on the rear.