01 Mar 06
AMG-tuned models dominate Mercedes's stand in Geneva.
Mercedes is launching the new CLK 63 AMG (481bhp) aided by its role as the official FIA safety car for the 2006 Grand Prix series; the first safety car will appear at the Bahrain Grand Prix next month, with the production version going on sale shortly after. Both feature the new naturally-aspirated 6.3-litre V8 and the 7G-Tronic seven-speed sequential-shift transmission, though the safety car has an extra-loud exhaust to please motor racing fans.
All the usual AMG enhancements are made to both, but the track-going safety car has a different radiator, two engine oil coolers, an extra larger transmission oil cooler and separate oil cooler for the rear differential, as well as adjustable suspension, wider wheels, a wider rear track and wider wheel arches, bigger brakes with adapted cooling ducts and carbonfibre-reinforced plastic for its front and rear aprons, bonnet, front wings and doors, reducing weight by over 150kg to 1,600kg. Extra kit also includes white strobe lights in the headlights and taillamps, a radio system, TV monitor, exterior TV cameras, bucket seats with four-point harnesses, uprated carbon trim, silver/black upholstery and an AMG steering wheel. Not a bad company car for F1 safety chief Bernd Maylander.
Besides the production CLK 63 AMG - offered in both coupe and cabriolet form - Mercedes is launching the CLS 63 AMG with the same engine. The super-slick four-doored 'coupe' has the engine tweaked for 514bhp and can do 0-60mph in 4.5 seconds. AMG sports suspension with adaptive damping is standard, as are a high-performance braking system, sports seats with nappa leather upholstery, AMG instruments and steering wheel.
Also on the Geneva stand is the R 63 AMG crossover (510bhp) and the SL 55 AMG (now developing 517bhp) and SL 65 AMG, promoting the recently-enhanced SL roadster range. The mainstream SL has gained new V6 and V8 engines, and a power hike for the V12, as well as mildly made-over styling.
It's not all about sheer power, though: the CLS 350 CGI displays Mercedes' latest iteration of its direct-injection petrol technology, with spray-guided injection. This CLS, to go on sale in mainland Europe this summer, has fuel economy from its 292bhp V6 engine reduced by 10%. Mercedes is also displaying its Bluetec 'clean diesel' prototypes, claimed to be the cleanest production diesel engines in the world.
But back to power and speed: we mustn't forget the SLR McLaren. Mercedes is marking the build of the 1,000th - ordered by a customer in Japan - by increasing the options for buyers, which now include 13 exclusive paint colours, 18" or 19" wheels, painted brake callipers and untreated Silver Arrow leather upholstery.
Not practical enough? Another Merc arguably more relevant to most buyers (if not as exciting) was launched in Geneva. Yes, it's the often-overlooked Viano MPV, now with the piezo-injection, quad-cam 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine (204bhp) as in the S-Class saloon. It's not as fast as the McLaren, taking a good 8.8 seconds 0-6-0mph, but it can seat eight people and return 30.7 mpg.
