Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake Spied, Drooled Over

Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake Spied, Drooled Over:

What It Is: The ultra-powerful AMG derivative of the upcoming Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake. Don’t be misled by the application of the term “shooting brake,” however, which is normally used to denote two-door station wagons. Mercedes has applied the term to a conventional four-door wagon here, obviously inspired by its constant referral to this car’s basis, the CLS sedan, as a “four-door coupe.” But whatever you call the CLS or its derivatives, you can’t call them ugly.
Why It Matters: Premium station wagons have been around for a long time and are hugely popular in Europe, but what’s notable here is that it’s based on a model with practicality as perhaps its last priority, the CLS. Even though this car will offer slightly more cargo room than the regular CLS63, it turns the concept of a wagon into a bit of a reductio ad absurdum. Customers will choose the CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake for its looks, not because it carries a lot of potting soil.
Platform: There are no significant changes from the regular CLS63, which essentially is a re-bodied E63 AMG. This is Benz’s mid-size, rear-wheel-drive platform, which shares many components, including powertrains throughout the lineup, with the more compact C-class and the bigger S-class.

Powertrains: There will be only one engine: the M157 5.5-liter, twin-turbo V-8. Output stands at 518 hp is basic form, and can be cranked to 550 hp with the optional Performance package. Torque is rated at 516 or 590 lb-ft, respectively. It all goes to the rear wheels, with the traction-control system working hard to keep the rubber from turning into smoke. The transmission will be Mercedes’ seven-speed automatic that features a wet clutch pack in place of a conventional torque converter. Expect a “race start” launch-control function, too.
Competition: The CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake slots in somewhere between the upcoming Audi RS6 Avant and the RS7 Sportback. With the M5 Touring no longer being made, BMW lacks a competitor in this arena, but the Cadillac CTS-V wagon will give this CLS a run. There’s internal competition, too, in the equally quick but much-more-practical E63 AMG wagon.
What Might Go Wrong: Not much: Few extra costs will be incurred in creating this beast, which relies heavily on dipping into the Mercedes brand’s parts bin.
Estimated Arrival and Price: If it comes to the U.S.—and it likely wouldn’t do so before the 2014 model year—it could cost upwards of $120,000.

Source : Google Reader