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There are a couple of ways to thoroughly enjoy piloting the new 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG performance sedan – kick it up fairly high as though your path is the famed Autobahn in Germany, or set it in sport or manual mode and shift with the paddles on a slower, twisting road which demands full attention.

I’ve done the high-speed thing several times over the years, usually out east through the lesser-populated areas with the flat roads; not necessary, I decided.

But, oh, wow, maneuvering down narrow, old U.S. 6 from Georgetown to Idaho Springs in this biturbo-powered Mercedes with instant-shift 7-speed automatic transmission and electronically controlled damping far surpasses the thrill of high-speed flying.

Then, too, back in the city, those who rode with me marveled at the Mercedes’ stop/start feature. With my foot on the CLS63’s brake at a stoplight, the engine shuts down totally; not an emit is heard or quiver felt from beneath the hood. As I remove my foot from the brake, the engine is instantly running again.

This big coupelike sedan, which handles like a sports car, is special for the fact it was completed by AMG, the performance division of Mercedes-Benz. AMG, in Affalterbach, Germany, produces hand-built 550-horsepower, 5.5-liter V-8s with direct fuel injection and twin turbochargers. Each engine is stamped with an engraved plaque and signature of the builder; the model I drove was turned out by Stefan Wenger. The Mercedes will sprint from 0 to 60 in barely over 4 seconds and its top speed is 186 miles per hour.

Out on U.S. roads, the AMG vehicles are readily recognized. At one slowdown on U.S. 85 last week, a young driver behind me held his iPhone out the window and took a photo of the rear of the Mercedes.

The new CLS63 AMG arrived at U.S. dealerships earlier this month. Its new 5.5-liter powerplant replaces a 6.2-liter V-8 in the previous CLS63 AMG.

The transmission can be altered from Controlled Efficiency to Sport to Sport-Plus to Manual mode. While performance in C mode is silky smooth, the shift points are quickened and more apparent in the sport and manual sets, where the paddles add to the satisfaction of controlling the car. A ride-control sport suspension, which can be set for comfort or sport, mixes wide-track three-link front with load-leveling air suspension at the rear. Tires are Continental 225/35ZR19.

Red brake calipers emphasize the excellent stopping capability of the AMG, which has 14.2-inch discs at all four corners. We were secure on the twists and bends in the drive down from Georgetown, the little community where Jan found a gift for baby Ava Lynn Zink, newest member of our family.
The rear-drive CLS warns with a steering-wheel vibration when the sedan wanders to the outer road stripe, and even engages light braking back toward center if it appears the car is continuing its wayward steer.

The stop/start function is disabled when the transmission is moved out of the Controlled Efficiency mode. In its active mode, it can be frustrating in that, if ambient conditions are out of normal sync (temperature variances and car warmup stage), it may not shut down at stops.

A finely finished console between the rear seats limits the four-door sedan to four passengers.

Base price on the Mercedes CLS63 is $94,900, and includes 14-speaker harmon/kardon surround sound, navigation with Bluetooth interface and voice control, leather interior with alcantra headliner, sunroof, power rear-window sunshade, intermittent wipers with rain sensor, power tilt/telescope steering wheel.

The sticker price goes much higher, $112,585, with the AMG performance packages.

Notes from e-mail

Q: Bud, if your question of the best-looking Chevrolet is still open, I would suggest the 1970 Camaro Z28 with the corner bumpers. I also agree with your recent comments on those wheels; the Volkswagen GTI’s are just ugly, and the Jag’s are just average, even discounting their ludicrous price. – J.C.

A: Thanks, John, those early Camaros are drawing lots of support.

Q: I beg to differ with your comments, Bud, on J.D. Power’s 2011 dependability ratings; their website states, “vehicles produced by Asian manufacturers experienced fewer problems than those produced by European or domestic automakers.” Looking at the study, Jaguar improved among the premiums, but for 2011 only. Consumer Reports reliability ratings go back six years on the Jaguar S and XF models, and their scores are not promising. I’ll take an extended track record over one year any day. Can we just call the Jaguar gorgeously unreliable? – C.E.

A: We can’t, Chris, but you certainly can, and you have.

Q: Bud, I’ll bet if you let B.Q. drive this highly refined motorcar (Jaguar XK convertible) for one hour and teach him how to power out of curves properly, he’ll want to stay in it and forget about getting cinnamon rolls. – W.H.

A: I’m sure you’re right, Will, though many who complain about automobiles don’t enjoy driving the way you and I do.

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG

$112,585

(price as tested)

MPG City 16 Highway 21

Vehicle type: Performance luxury sedan

Wheelbase: 113.2 inches

Length/Width/Height: 196.7/74.1/55.4 inches

Weight: 4,225 pounds

Engine: 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V-8

Transmission: 7-speed automatic

Fuel mileage: 19.7 mpg

Fuel tank: 23.8 gallons

Warranty: 5 years/50,000 miles basic

Competitors: Cadillac CTS-V sedan, Audi S6, Jaguar XFR

Built at: Stuttgart, Germany

Parts content: Gemany 90 percent

THE STICKER

$94,900 base

$6,900 Carbon-fiber spoiler and engine cover, red brake calipers, sport suspension, enhanced speed

$3,690 Heated and ventilated front seats, rearview camera, adaptive highbeam lights

$2,950 Lane-keeping assist, blind-spot warning, distronic cruise

$1,790 AMG wheels

$875 Destination

PLUSES

Handling, braking

Power

Stop/start feature

Sleek styling

MINUSES

Rear-seat capacity

Nonconsistent stop-start