The new consumption/efficiency-optimised 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission includes a DIRECT SELECT lever on the steering column as standard (except the CLS 63 AMG). The seven forward gears of 7G-TRONIC PLUS allow for a larger ratio spread between lowest and highest gears and still ensure smaller intervals from gear to gear. This guarantees optimum engine speed at all times, lower fuel consumption and virtually imperceptible gearshifts.

For quick bursts of speed, multiple downshifting allows the 7G-TRONIC PLUS to skip gears when changing down.

The AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission for the CLS 63 AMG, combines the best of two worlds: the sporty, direct and agile feedback of a manual transmission and the maximum comfort of an automatic transmission. This high-tech transmission gives drivers all the freedom they want. In addition to the "Race Start" and automatic double-declutching functions it also provides four individual driving programmes: "C" (controlled efficiency) stands for driving with optimum fuel consumption; the "S" (sport), "S+" (sport plus) and "M" (manual) programmes improve dynamism. They allow for gear changes in less than 100 ms thanks to partial cut-off of individual cylinders during upshifts. A compact, wet start-up clutch replaces the usual torque converter. Movements of the accelerator pedal are then translated directly to propulsion with the best possible traction.