Lucky was I, who arrived at Merc's new CL Class launch venue early enough to secure one of only two new 63 AMG models in its test fleet for a 150km test drive this week.
This new CL 63 AMG has a completely new engine to brag about, namely AMG's 5.5-litre V8 biturbo, which puts out 420kW and 900Nm when ordered with the 'Performance Package'.
I'd been waiting a long time to sample Affalterbach's answer to BMW's astronomically powerful 4.4-litre twin turbo engine that it's now using in a range of its bigger-bodied Beemer models.
Worth the wait it was. Merc's new baby, or should I say beast, is comparable in performance to its top-dog V12 65 AMG variant, but in practice the new V8 feels much more raucous than the creamy and more expensive 65.
Where the 65 AMG swooshes forward with an effortless, unflustered surge, the new 63 charges like a wounded rhinoceros. You get that same turbocharged boost in the seat of the pants, but here there's a lot more sensitivity to throttle inputs and also a lot more bark with the bite.
Mercedes has tuned in a typical V8 throatiness that reverberates through the cabin at all times and shouts from the exhausts in a much more enthusiastic way than the civilised but outrageously powerful V12-powered 65 model.
The 63 AMG also makes use of Merc's latest, greatest multi-clutch 7-speed auto so the car is always ready to leap forward regardless of which gear or what speed you're doing at any given moment.
It's also capable of cruising effortlessly if need be, and at MEC speeds north of the limit, can drop revs to below 2000rpm in the name of fuel preservation. But even then, stomp the gas and prepare for facial distortion. Good thing there's extra padding in the head rests because the back of your pip will need it.
The 63 also claims to be 25 percent more economical than its predecessor, with combined consumption amounting to a claimed 10.5 litres per 100km.
The CL 63 AMG forms part of a wider range of CL-Class Mercs that have all been given something of a rejuvenation.
Design changes are most apparent up front, where it gets a V-shape grille and curvy new headlights among other design changes.
The range kicks off with the CL 500 BlueEfficiency, which boasts a new 320kW/l700Nm direct injection biturbo engine which, according to Mercedes-Benz, is 23 percent more efficient than its predecessor thanks to the aforementioned motor and various other improvements throughout the car.
Moving up a good notch, the CL 600 gets a new 380kW biturbo V12, which according to claims will rush you from 0-100km/h in 4.6 seconds.
The other AMG option, of course is the CL 65 AMG, and AMG's engineers have also been busy on this one. Its power output rises from 450kW to 463kW, while also sipping a bit less fuel.
The new range also boasts a mind-boggling range of driver assistance systems, such as Active Lane Keeping Assist which will go as far as gently braking the wheels on the opposite side of the car to keep the vehicle from changing lane if a driver tries to move across a solid line without indicating. It does the same thing when you ignore the Active Blind Spot Assist's warnings.
The list of driving assistance systems is long enough to fill a book, other highlights including Attention Assist (drowsiness detection) and the Active Body Control suspension system.
Now read the prices, and gasp:
CL 500: R1 618 900
CL 600: R2 107 280
CL 63 AMG: R2 130 610
CL 63 AMG: R2 443 300