The 2014 Mercedes-AMG CLS 63 represents the pinnacle of four-door coupe aggression, blending luxurious grand touring comfort with race-bred performance. This specific year marks the final evolution of the first-generation W218 model before a complete generational overhaul, making it a particularly desirable option for enthusiasts. Under the hood, it houses a handcrafted 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V8, a piece of engineering that delivers a snarling soundtrack and explosive power on demand. The car’s design language, characterized by its sweeping roofline and muscular haunches, remains timeless, ensuring it turns heads even today. For those seeking a driver’s car with four doors, the CLS 63 offered an intoxicating mix of practicality and supercar performance.
Design and Aerodynamics
Exterior styling on the 2014 CLS 63 is immediately aggressive, setting it apart from its more refined siblings. The front fascia is dominated by a large, hexagonal grille flanked by adaptive LED headlights that provide exceptional visibility. The iconic AMG double-bladder radiator grille is finished in a high-gloss black, drawing immediate attention to the front end. Large air curtains help manage airflow to reduce drag, while the prominent front air dam channels air to the brakes and radiator, ensuring optimal thermal management during spirited driving.
Signature Styling Elements
Along the sides, the car’s low-slung profile and pronounced wheel arches hint at the performance lurking beneath. The standard 19-inch lightweight alloy wheels shod in high-performance tires command a sense of urgency. At the rear, the design language is equally commanding, with thin LED taillights stretching across the decklid. A large, fixed rear wing not only enhances the aggressive stance but also provides crucial downforce at higher speeds, pressing the tires firmly onto the road for improved handling stability.
Performance and Engineering
Performance is where the 2014 CLS 63 truly shines, thanks to its 5,461cc bi-turbocharged V8. This powerplant generates an impressive 536 horsepower and 538 lb-ft of torque, numbers that were class-leading at the time of its release. This immense power is sent to the rear wheels via a sophisticated 7G-Tronic automatic transmission, capable of lightning-fast shifts via its AMG Speedshift DCT mode. The result is a 0-to-60 mph sprint in just 3.9 seconds, a testament to the efficiency of the power-to-weight ratio and the unit’s engineering.
Handling Dynamics
Mercedes-AMG handled the suspension tuning to deliver a firm yet controlled ride. The standard setup includes adaptive damping control, allowing the system to adjust shock absorber firmness in milliseconds based on road surface and driving style. For the first time, the CLS 63 was available with AMG’s renowned rear-axle steering system. This technology actively turns the rear wheels in opposition to the front axle at low speeds for tighter turn radii, and in the same direction at high speeds for enhanced stability and agility.
