Less roar but more power!

We're still fresh from our first impressions drive of the new CLS and here, in Los Angeles, Mercedes has unveiled what we all knew was coming: the AMG version!

Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com

Certainly, the styling of the new CLS is well suited to the AMG, what with more creases than there are in my shirt, the one I wore 3 months ago and is still in the hamper... Anyhoo, the real news is that the naturally-aspirated 6.2L V8 lump has now been replaced (much to the chagrin of V8 lovers) by a twin-turbocharged 4.4L V8. The upside for the loss of the soundtrack is the gain in power: 544 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. AMG offers a Performance Package that boosts numbers up to 571 hp and 664 lb-ft.

Although the CLS does looks more aggressive now, the AMG is fitted with layers of add-ons including devilishly hot wheels.

Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com