It will humble many sports cars. Born in a country where cruising at more than 125 miles per hour is common, its top speed capabilities are largely wasted in America, yet it is immensely enjoyable for those who love driving a car that responds like a thoroughbred. It gathers speed so deceptively that 80 mph feels like 60 mph, requiring extra vigilance if you want to avoid getting nabbed for speeding. The taut ride occasionally gets bumpy over bad pavement, but at speed it is so firm you appreciate the security it provides. Most of the interior is understated Mercedes-Benz, but AMG added light gray accents to the small, thick steering wheel and around the instruments.
Polished wood is used on the center console and across top of the dash.
The sport bucket seats, covered in perforated leather, are firm and deeply contoured. They gripped the sides of my torso as if they were custom-fitted just for me, yet never did they feel confining. Switches for the power windows and rearview mirrors are located on the console alongside the gearshift. While I would prefer window switches on the doors, getting used to these is not too hard. A large leather knob sits atop the gearshift lever, which slides through a notched gate that enables you to manually select gears without taking your eyes from the road.