Why Yes, We'd Take 557 HP and 24 MPG

The go-fast wizards at AMG worked some serious magic building the Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG. This autobahn-devouring chunk of awesome puts down 557 horsepower, does zero to 60 in 4.3 seconds and gets fuel economy like a Honda Civic.

Mercedes-Benz pulled the sheet off the newest object of our lust today at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Company brass proudly proclaimed the CLS 63 AMG "a unique high-performance car" that "sets new standards in design, performance and efficiency."

For once, that may be more than auto-show hyperbole. This sexy beast sports a slew of tech aimed at optimizing the performance and efficiency of the 5.5-liter V-8 under its carbon-fiber hood.

Twin turbochargers boost power, while direct injection, adjustable cam timing, stop-start technology and a seven-speed gearbox boost fuel economy. The base model is good for 525 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. Opt for the AMG Performance package and you'll have 557 horsepower and 590 pound-feet under your right foot.

Either way, you're looking at 24 mpg combined. (Update: Um, no, you're not. The press materials provided by Mercedes-Benz specifically said the car consumes 9.9 liters per 100 kilometers combined, which works out to 24 mpg. But Mercedes-Benz USA pr guy Robert Moran sent an email to us two days after this post was published to say, "preliminary EPA estimates for the CLS63 AMG are 16/21 MPG." More on that below.) AMG boss Ola Källenius says the car will do 33 mpg on the highway. That's a 32 percent improvement over the previous model. Those are amazing numbers for a car of this caliber -- a 2011 Honda Civic with a 2.0-liter fourbanger and a six-speed gets 24 combined, 29 highway.

That glorious V-8 is mated to an AMG Speedshift seven-speed gearbox with four modes. "Controlled efficiency" activates the stop-start mode, which shuts off the engine when the car comes to a stop. It also eases up accelerator response and shifts gears sooner. Sport, sport-plus and manual modes offer varying levels of performance. The manual mode is said to be a dead-ringer for a conventional manual gearbox.

It's all wrapped in seductive, muscular bodywork. The doors, hood, front quarters, trunk lid and other assorted bits are aluminum to shave weight. Opt for the AMG Performance package and you get a carbon-fiber hood and rear spoiler along with suspension upgrades and nicer trim.

The price is TBA, but the previous model topped six figures. We suspect none of the 3,000 to 4,000 people lucky enough to buy one will have any trouble raising the cash.

UPDATE: 12:30 p.m. Nov. 19: We just received this email from Robert Moran, product and technology PR guy for Mercedes-Benz USA:

Just to confirm, preliminary EPA estimates for the CLS63 AMG are 16/21 MPG. We hope to have more concrete figures prior to the car's on sale date in June.

We asked why the press information provided by Mercedes-Benz said the the car consumes 9.9 liters per 100 km combined, which works out to 24 mpg, and we asked about Jalopnik's report citing Källenius saying the car gets 33 mpg highway. Moran replied:

EPA and EU estimates are close but not exact. We tend to be a bit conservative with our US figures, hence the 21 MPG estimate. I don't recall any interviews or statements about 33 hwy -- I sat in several of his interviews and this was not part of the press conference.

For the record, we've double-checked with Jalopnik's Justin Hyde, who says unequivocally that Källenius told him the CLS 63 AMG gets 33 mpg highway. We've revised the headline and updated the post.

Photos: Mercedes-Benz