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by Greg Kable, AutoWeek

Looking to spoil some of the new fourth-generation BMW M5’s glory, Mercedes-Benz has issued its first official photographs of its upcoming CLS55 AMG—before the base model has even hit the streets. The new super CLS is referred to by Mercedes as a coupe, but with conventional B-pillars it's more sedan.

Based around the same mechanical package as the E55, the CLS55 will be out to keep the new M5 honest with top shelf performance and features to match. Powering Stuttgart’s latest Bahnstormer is AMG’s supercharged 5.5-liter V8 delivering 476 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque.

Mercedes claims 0-62 mph acceleration in 4.7 seconds and a top speed limited to 155 mph. The new car rides on a tuned version of Benz’s Airmatic DC air suspension and 18-inch double spoke alloy wheels shod with 255/40 ZR18 (front) and 285/35 ZR18 rubber. Further extending the standard CLS’s aggressive appearance is an AMG bodykit consisting of a deeper front apron with integrated fog lamps, unique grille insert with three silver elements, wider side sills and a reworked rear bumper with dual oval tailpipes.

The CLS55 is set to be unveiled at this September's Paris motor show and is scheduled to go on sale next January in Europe for about EURO96,000 (or about $118,000 at current exchange rates). That's about the same time we expect to see the base-model CLS appear Stateside.

 

Wowee-Zowee! Looks sweet.

 

What a great car.

(But, just think what could happen if some of that drive train technology finds its way into a Chrysler (300/Crossfire/?) or Dodge (Magnum/Charger/?) product.)

 

How can anyone say that that thing looks better than the M5? It has that sloping dog taking a dump rear end. I would also like to see Amg try and get 500hp without FI.

 

Power is nice, but my first impression of the car's looks was....uuuuggghh.

 

nasty

 

Hopefully, some of that stuff makes it into the Charger...

 

I'm not fond of the looks either, nor the $118K price tag. But when you say FI I'm assuming you're talking about fuel injection. Name one production car today that doesn't use it.

 

FI in this case = forced induction

 

exactly, Forced induction. In this case the supercharger.

 

Then I guess you could say the same thing about the Cobra and the Ford GT, not to mention the Turbo Carrera.

 

Actually I am rather dissapointed in the cobra and the GT. I am impressed when a company can make excellent power in it's class without needing to resort to FI. I am not dissapointed in porsche however as it has a car like the GT3 making 380hp and 284 torque out of a naturally aspirated 6 cylinder. This shows that they don't need to use FI to make power but just to make it easier. I have seen nothing from mercedes that shows this.