When Mercedes-Benz introduced the CLS at the 2004 New York International Auto Show, the world stood still.
It was the first new-age, four-door coupe on the market. This kind of bodywork was long-forgotten and only a big brand such as Mercedes-Benz could revive it and receive applause. In the autumn of same year, the carmaker introduced the CLS 55 AMG at the Paris Motor Show. It was the fast coupe with four doors.
The exterior look was drastically enhanced compared with such as CLS500 or the CLS320 CDI versions. Its big, 18” wheels (19” as an option) had a special design. The car was lowered by 10 mm (0.4”) than the rest of the CLS range The Airmatic suspension was standard and the entire setup was stiffer, for better handling. But some people still didn’t like the dropped back of the car.
Inside, the CLS 55 AMG featured a combination of sporty styling and high-quality materials. The new AMG sports seats shows special AMG perforations, double stitching and Alcantara panels. It also includes nappa leather in three colors variants.
The supercharged 5.4-liter V8 engine offers 476 hp and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque. It was mated to a 5-speed automatic gearbox. The result is a spectacular 4.7 seconds for a 0-100 kph (0-62 mph) sprint and a limited top speed of 250 kph (155 mph).