2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS CLS 55 AMG

CLS55 AMG supercharged, intercooled 5.4-liter monster good for 469 horses. And let's talk torque: 516 pound-feet of it, delivered on a platter that reaches from 2750 to 4000 rpm. There's only one transmission available--or necessary: an excellent five-speed automatic that gets AMG-spec SpeedShift programming. This trans features Drive, Sport, and manual modes--the last controlled via the console shifter or paddles on the steering wheel--and higher shift points. A six- or seven-speed gearbox would be superfluous; this handbuilt V-8 spools out so much grunt over such a wide powerband, it could probably get by on three gears. The net result is a 0-to-60 blast in just 4.4 seconds.The rest of the AMG treatment is as you'd expect: 19-inch alloys wearing performance rubber, beefier brakes and suspension tuning (including Mercedes-Benz's excellent Airmatic Dual Control air-suspension system), subtly revised front/rear fascias, AMG badging, and a rumbling, quad-tipped exhaust. The CLS's interior appointments already resemble designer furniture, but are even more sumptuous in AMG trim. Scrumptilicious Nappa leather trim wraps around thickly bolstered sport seats; they're 10-way adjustable, heated, and offer three-way memory. Thanks to modern tire technology, the tuneabilty of today's air-suspension and computer-controlled damping systems, and a high level of competence on behalf of AMG's engineers, the CLS55 offers higher handling levels than does the standard CLS, with little compromise in ride quality. It doesn't deliver the chassis feedback or turn in with the sharpness of BMW's new M5, but it's a handler and rides beautifully on all but the nastiest pavement. Even though the CLS is based on the E-Class, it sits a bit lower and likely has a lower center of gravity, so it rolls less.