Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake

 

Featured here is a somewhat obscure wagon version of the high-performance Mercedes-Benz CLS that was primarily offered in Europe but never officially sold in the US, the CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake. The Shooting Brake body style was introduced and added for only the second-generation CLS from 2013 to 2018, making it cooler and more practical than its sedan/four-door coupe counterpart. Powering this particular CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake is a 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 with 557 horsepower and 531 pound-feet of torque paired to a seven-speed automatic transmission. It launches from zero to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds and tops out at an electronically-limited speed of 155 mph. Later model years of the CLS63 AMG Four-Door Coupe and Shooting Brake gained an optional performance pack, a facelift, and an S version that is faster, more powerful, and more refined. Besides the additional cargo space, the CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake's specs, standard equipment, and options are practically identical to those of its four-door coupe counterpart, except the Shooting Brake is a tad lower in ride height, a tad longer in overall length, and 33 pounds heavier. Despite its added practicality over its four-door coupe variant, the CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake contains about 14 less cubic feet of cargo space than an equivalent E-Class wagon. 

While the CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake was never officially sold in the United States, it was never particularly common in Europe or the few other markets it was available in. This specific example is the first CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake that I have ever seen in person, which occurred at at this year's Legends of the Autobahn Show during Monterey Car Week. It is outfitted in a unique livery with a flashing light bar on top due to it being CMS Motorsports' designated safety car for its CMS 1000 Benz Rally, which goes from Los Angeles to Monterey for Car Week every year. I was genuinely surprised to see a CLS63 Shooting Brake at Legends of the Autobahn, let alone on US soil. If I had to guess, it was likely imported here from overseas under the federal show-and-display exemption, but there's always a possibility that it was just a four-door coupe converted into a shooting brake. Besides the unique livery and flashing light bar, custom HRE wheels were added onto this CLS63 Shooting Brake as well. Overall, the Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake is one of the most underrated forbidden fruits known to American car enthusiasts and one of the most underrated vehicles on display at Legends of the Autobahn this year. Stay tuned for more content from this year's Legends of the Autobahn show coming up in the next several posts. 

Vehicle Specifications Sources: Motor Trend, Car and Driver, CMS Motorsports  

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Mercedes-Benz 600

 

This particular 600 is far from the average classic Mercedes-Benz sedan. It was crafted by aftermarket firm S-Klub LA, in which the body from a classic Mercedes-Benz 600 was installed over the interior and underpinnings from a 2024 AMG S63 E-Performance. Peak power output for this 600/AMG S63 E-Performance mashup build is 1000 horsepower and 1100 pound-feet of torque. A nine-speed automatic transmission and 4Matic+ all-wheel drive carry over from the AMG S63 E-Performance as well. Exterior enhancements added to the 600 body include a widebody kit, a carbon roof, a LiDAR-equipped grille with an oversize Mercedes-Benz badge, LED headlights and taillights, the front splitter, rear diffuser, and exhaust from the AMG S63 E-Performance, a large hood vent, and custom HRE wheels. The AMG S63 E-Performance's interior in this particular 600 is fully functional and factory-spec, and it comes with the optional Executive Rear Package. 

The S-Klub LA Mercedes-Benz 600 Restomod first debuted at last year's SEMA Show in Las Vegas. It was outfitted with a massive rear wing during and around its initial debut, but as of now, the rear wing has since been removed. I had seen some photos and videos of this specific Mercedes-Benz 600 at times within the past year, and I was certainly amazed to see it in the flesh at last week's Legends of the Autobahn show during Monterey Car Week. Not only was this 600 the coolest and craziest aftermarket build on display at this year's Legends of the Autobahn, it is in fact one of the coolest and craziest aftermarket builds I have ever seen. While public opinion may be divided on the S-Klub LA Mercedes-Benz 600, I view it as extremely cool and greatly appreciate its excellent quality and attention to detail. I love how this specific Mercedes-Benz sedan combines a mostly vintage exterior design with unbelievable performance, modern luxury, and advanced technology in the most insane way possible. Stay tuned for more content from this year's Legends of the Autobahn show coming up in the next several posts. 

Vehicle Specifications Sources: S-Klub LA, Motor1 

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Mercedes-Benz 300SL

 

The 300SL is one of the most iconic classic Mercedes-Benz models and often deemed my many automotive historians as the first supercar. It is based on the W198-series platform and offered in either coupe form with gullwing doors (1954-57) or roadster form with traditional doors (1957-63). Powering the legendary 300SL is a 3.0-liter inline-six with a standard output of 215 horsepower in the Gullwing and up to 240 horsepower in both the Gullwing with the high-compression motor and Roadster. Each variant of the 300SL was mated to a four-speed manual transmission sending power to the rear wheels. It can potentially hit a top speed of 162 mph, making the 300SL the fastest car in the world at the time it was new. Also featured on the 300SL were a variety of technological advancements for its era, such as mechanical fuel injection, a lightweight tubular spaceframe, dry-sump lubrication, and an independent suspension. Its interior is also greatly refined as well, and its large steering wheel can be tilted to allow for easier access in and out of the vehicle. Due to many of its revolutionary and timeless aspects, German publication Auto Motor und Sport named the Mercedes-Benz 300SL its Sports Car of the 20th Century. A total of 1,400 300SL Gullwings and 1,858 300SL Roadsters were produced, with examples remaining highly sought-after by collectors and routinely selling for over $1 million on the resale market today. 

As for the first example pictured at the top of this post, while it looks like the real deal, this particular example is a heavily-modified aftermarket build based on the SLK roadster created by the folks over at S-Klub LA. Not only is it made to look very similar to the original 300SL, this specific build adds a modern AMG V8 and other high-performance mechanicals, along with custom carbon-fiber and fiberglass widebody panels and a custom removable hardtop with partial gullwing doors. The SLK-based widebody 300SL from S-Klub LA rides on an upgraded modern suspension, performance-focused Brembo brakes, and HRE aftermarket wheels. Its interior has been reimagined as well, combining classic design elements with digital screens and modern electronics. I expect many Mercedes-Benz purists to not be fans of the S-Klub LA 300SL, but I view it as unbelievably cool and out-of-this-world. 

Each of the three 300SL examples pictured here were on display at last week's Legends of the Autobahn show as part of Monterey Car Week. It was definitely great to see one of each variant of the iconic 300SL in addition to an extraordinary custom build showcased at this year's Legends of the Autobahn, as they were a few of the most valuable, special, and impressive vehicles there. Overall, the 300SL is such a beautiful and amazing classic Mercedes-Benz. Its gorgeous styling alongside its revolutionary tech and world-beating performance for the 1950s are huge contributors in helping propel Mercedes-Benz to its status as a world-class automaker. Stay tuned for more content from this year's Legends of the Autobahn show coming up in the next several posts. 

Vehicle Specifications Sources: Classic.com, Saratoga Auto Museum, Hemmels, Supercars.net, S-Klub LA 

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Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagon (S213)

 

Next up from this year's Legends of the Autobahn show at Monterey Car Week is one of the absolute greatest cars in existence, the Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagon. Based on the previous 213 generation E-Class, the AMG E63 S Wagon was produced from 2018 through 2023, with a facelifted version introduced for 2021. Powering the previous AMG E63 S Wagon is a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque paired to a nine-speed automatic gearbox and Mercedes-Benz's 4Matic+ all-wheel drive system. It launches from zero to 60 mph in three seconds and can reach a top speed limited to 180 mph. Alongside the performance upgrades and some aesthetic enhancements, the AMG E63 S Wagon adds a sport-tuned suspension, larger brakes, and a rear-drive-only drift mode over the standard E-Class Wagon and All-Terrain versions. Inside, the AMG E63 S Wagon features a great, beautiful, and premium interior that can comfortably seat five adults and offers several cubic feet of cargo space to carry luggage, groceries, and other necessities. 

The second example pictured here is the 2023 Final Edition of the previous AMG E63 S Wagon, which is distinguished by its Matt Graphite Grey Magno exterior finish, Final Edition badges on its D-pillars and center console, high-gloss black accents, tinted windows from the B-pillar back, specific wheel design, added carbon fiber interior trim, standard highly-adjustable heated performance seats, and titanium grey pearl-and-black nappa leather upholstery with yellow contrast stitching. Only 999 examples were allocated for the 2023 AMG E63 S Wagon Final Edition. Earlier versions of the S213 Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagon can be currently found for between $70,000 and $80,000 on the resale market, while the facelifted version from 2021 and 2023 can be found for around $100,000 and up to $140,000 for the Final Edition. There is still no word from Mercedes-Benz yet on if there will be an AMG E63 S model coming for the current 214 generation E-Class, but the AMG E53 will suffice for now as the top-of-the-line performance-focused E-Class. 

I had a feeling that there would be at least one AMG E63 S Wagon on display when I attended this year's Legends of the Autobahn show on Thursday, and I was certainly in for a treat with this particular show displaying both a pre-facelifted 2018-20 model and a 2023 Final Edition. Not only was this one of my top highlights from this year's Legends of the Autobahn, but both of these AMG E63 S Wagon examples are the winners of what I like to call the "Carson is the Type of Guy" Award. Overall, the S213 Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagon remains at the top of my list of dream cars that I aspire to own one day. It does many things incredibly well in terms of styling, performance, luxury, practicality, and exclusivity. Lastly, while both are absolutely amazing, I prefer the previous AMG E63 S Wagon over the current AMG E53 Wagon due to the E63 S' V8 engine and lower digital interface overload. Stay tuned for more content from this year's Legends of the Autobahn show coming up in the next several posts. 

Vehicle Specifications Source: Car and Driver 

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