East Coast West Coast Benz Battle: CLS550 4Matic versus CLS550



So you need a Mercedes-Benz with a giant V8, about 5.0-seconds to 60-mph or less, and perhaps four doors — perhaps only two.

Options will lead you to the CLS, the original “foupe” and inspiring act for the very fashionable new CLA250 and CLA45 AMG.

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This is not really a Tupac vs Biggie-style rap battle.

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550.2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550.

Just noting that the CLS550 is available both in rear-drive and AWD setups.

They are both very tail-happy and will play along when you are in the mood.

CLS550 4MATICCLS550 4MATIC CLS550 4MATIC 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550. 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550

But once the CLS trigger is pulled, you might be compelled to only consider the CLS63 AMG. While that is an exceptional vehicle, and the epitome of a big dom V8, the CLS550 is still the ‘full business.’

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550.

And a cool $10,000 savings will never hurt the wallet either. Only a s light dent in pace is barely noticeable, but the far comfier ride quality will be appreciated by all occupants.

 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550.

Official Specifications from Mercedes-Benz below.

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Technical Data

CLS550 CLS63 AMG
Vehicle type Four-door, four-passenger coupe Four-door, four-passenger coupe
Chassis Steel unibody Steel unibody
Engine 90-degree V8 90-degree V8
Valve arrangement Four valves per cylinder Four valves per cylinder
Valvetrain DOHC per cylinder DOHC per cylinder
Displacement (cc) 4,663 5,461
Bore (in.) 3.66 3.86
Stroke (in.) 3.39 3.56
Compression ratio 10.5:1 10.0:1
Horsepower @ rpm 402 @ 5,000 – 5,750 518 (550*) @ 5,250 – 5,750
Torque (lb-ft.) @ rpm 443 lb-ft @ 1,800 – 4,750 516 @ 1,700 – 5,000
(590 @ 2,000 – 4,500 )*
Intake system Direct gasoline injection with piezo injectors, twin turbo w/ 12.9 lbs. boost Direct gasoline injection, twin turbo w/14.5 (18.8)* lbs. boost
Max. engine speed (rpm) 6,300 6,400
Transmission Seven-speed automatic AMG SPEEDSHIFT
Seven-speed MCT
Shift controls Direct Select AMG DRIVE UNIT with
E-SELECT lever
Gear ratios Automatic Automatic
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
4.38:1 4.34:1
2.86:1 2.89:1
1.92:1 1.92:1
1.37:1 1.37:1
1.00:1 1.00:1
0.82:1 0.82:1
0.73:1 0.73:1
– 3.42:1 -3.42:1
R2 “comfort mode” – 2.23:1
Final drive 2.47:1 2.65:1
Stability control ESP stability control ESP stability control
Suspension AIRMATIC AMG Adaptive Suspension
front 3-link front axle with MacPherson struts, anti-dive AIRMATIC full-support air suspension 3-link front axle, anti-dive control, coil springs, electronic gas-filled spring struts, anti-roll bar
rear Independent multilink, anti-squat and anti-dive, AIRMATIC full-support air suspension Independent multilink, anti-squat and anti-dive control, AIRMATIC full-support air suspension, electronically controlled damping system, anti-roll bar
Steering Electro Hydraulic Speed-sensitive power-assisted rack-and-pinion AMG Speed-sensitive
power-assisted rack-and-pinion
Turning radius (ft.) 37 37.1
Wheels (in.) front 18 x 8.5 19 x 9
rear 18 x 9.5 19 x 10
Tires front 255/40 R18 255/35 R19
rear 285/35 R18 285/30 R19
Brakes Hydraulic power assisted 4-wheel discs with 4-channel ABS anti-lock; Brake Assist Hydraulic power assisted 4-wheel
discs with 4-channel ABS anti-lock;
Brake Assist
Disc diameter (in./mm) front 14.2 (ventilated & perforated) 14.2 (ventilated & perforated)
rear 12.6 (ventilated) 14.2 (ventilated & perforated)
Disc thickness (in./mm) front 1.4 1.4
rear 1.0 1.0
Exterior dimensions (in)
Wheelbase 113.15 113.15
Length 194.49 196.7
Width 74.06 74.06
Height 55.75 55.35
Ground clearance (in.) TBD TBD
Track front 62.90 63.86
rear 64.10 63.20
Interior dimensions (in.)
Head room (w/sunroof) front 36.93 36.93
2nd / 3rd row 36.14 36.14
Leg room front 42.1 42.1
2nd / 3rd row 35.0 35.0
Shoulder room front 57.1 57.1
2nd 56.5 56.5
Cargo Length Back row up TBD TBD
Back TBD TBD
Capacities
Cabin volume (cu. ft.) TBD TBD
Cargo volume seats up 15.31 15.31
Back row down TBD TBD
Curb weight (lbs.) 4,158 (4MATIC: 4,268) 4,277
Towing (lbs.) N/A N/A
Max. total payload 1,070 1,070
Fuel tank/reserve (gallons) 21.13 / 2.38 21.13 / 2.38
Performance
0-60 (seconds) 5.1 (4MATIC: 5.2) 4.4 (4.3)*
Top speed (mph) 130 155 (186)*
Fuel mileage, city/hwy 17 / 26
(4MATIC: 17/25) (est)
16 / 25