Autoblog

2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 10 May 2011 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, New Car Reviews, Luxury

Leaving Little Cuba For A Date With Destiny

2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG - Click above for high-res image gallery

Miami's a giant concrete brothel; a municipal madame hosting sweaty assignations that pair every income with its choice of cruise, cuisine, club, narcotic or panorama. We were there on a quest for a quest, anxious Lancelots after a late night run in a Series II E-Type over the A1A - yes, the Vanilla Ice road - had turned into a late, late evening with two Spaniards and three Ecuadorians discussing the merits of Top Gear and flying to Bogota to learn Spanish.

That's when Destiny called. Not fate itself, but a ferociously alluring lass with a voice of such fine tenor we had to fight the urge to put the phone down and bow to it whenever she spoke. She requested our presence in Tampa, 271 miles away, and we could only credit fortune for the delivery of a 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG for the purpose. It's the ultimate in modest-yet-graceful savagery (modest compared to the Bentley Continental GT), two tons of animatronic shark - a modern, mechanical Jaws - that would get us safely through the gators, hawks and sawgrass of the Everglades.

It turns out the predators were the least of it. First, we had to get out of the humid human swamp that is Miami. Continue reading...

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2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 May 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG

Michael Harley — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Europe, Mercedes-Benz, First Drives, Luxury

Born-Again Big Benz Impresses Despite Electronic Nannies

2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG - Click above for high-res image gallery

Each Fall, Mother Nature puts on a spectacular display in many parts of the country. As winter approaches and days become shorter, there isn't enough sunlight for trees to support photosynthesis. Starved of their source for energy, the leaves on many variants lose their green chlorophyll and expose bright reds, yellows and purples - hues from glucose trapped in the drying foliage.

Upstate New York is unquestionably a spectacular venue for a driving introduction to the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG. Against a brilliantly painted backdrop, the facelifted full-size coupe, fitted with an all-new twin-turbocharged V8, is a near-perfect chariot for a tour of the Hudson Valley. The 536-horsepower rear-wheel-drive two-door, with its signature greenhouse sans B-pillars, offers an excellent view of the colorful canvas outside the glass. Whether gliding effortlessly down the turnpike, or rustling up a wake of fallen leaves on an autumn country road, the automaker's flagship in this rarified segment seems to have few peers.

What is it like to drive the blown CL63 AMG? Is the big coupe able to effectively balance performance with luxury and technology? Are there any other full-size two-door vehicles on the market for this low volume Mercedes-Benz to compete with? Keep reading to find out...

Gallery: 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG: First Drive

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG

First Drive: 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Oct 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz prices new biturbo V8 models

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 15:32:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ready to experience the thrill of a twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V8 that produces 536 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque? Unfortunately, that kind of excitement doesn't come cheap. Mercedes-Benz has announced pricing for its upcoming 2011 CL63 AMG coupe and S63 AMG sedan. The two-door starts at $151,125 and the four-door will set you back at least $138,875. Both are available with the optional AMG Performance Package, which ups the power output to 563 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque. A little lower on the power pole sits the restyled 2011 CL550 4MATIC, which starts at $114,025, and is motivated by a 4.6-liter V8 which produces 429 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque.

The 4.6-liter unit is 20 percent smaller, in terms of displacement, than the engine it replaces, yet produces 12 percent more horsepower, 32 percent more torque and improves fuel economy by 10 percent. The AMG mill also sees considerable gains in power, and thanks to direct-injection and the use of start/stop technology it sees a 20 percent rise in fuel economy.

Gallery: Paris 2010: 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz prices new biturbo V8 models

Mercedes-Benz prices new biturbo V8 models originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2010: 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG mixes Wall Street and Miami Vice

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 17:21:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Paris Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG - Click above for high-res image gallery

Making the swap from a naturally aspirated ~~6.3-~~ 6.2-liter V8 to a direct injection, twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8 hasn't at all reduced the Mercedes CL63 AMG's brawny beauty. The standard version gets 544 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. Opt for the AMG Performance Package and you boost that to 571 hp and 664 lb-ft. All that power doesn't come with a bigger fuel price, either: at 22 combined miles per gallon with the help of stop/start and the AMG Speedshift MCT seven-speed sport transmission, the new car posts a 25 percent increase in fuel economy over the 6.2-liter beast.

The AMG Performance Package that throws in all that extra gumption also comes with double-spoke wheels in titanium gray, extra carbon fiber trim under the hood and in the cabin, as well as a leather and Alcantara steering wheel. With it you get a 4.4-second 0-60 time, without you'll have to make do with 4.5 seconds.

Helping you keep things composed while on the move are crosswind stabilization added to the Active Body Control, Direct Steer and Torque Vectoring Braking, which brakes the inside wheel when necessary to maintain crispness when things go curvy. If you're looking for a bit of green, you'll find it in the regenerative braking. The rest better be in your wallet. All the details are in the press release after the jump and the high-res gallery of images below.

Gallery: Paris 2010: 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG

Continue reading Paris 2010: 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG mixes Wall Street and Miami Vice

Paris 2010: 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG mixes Wall Street and Miami Vice originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 17:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Twin-Turbo Temptresses: 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63, CL65 AMG

Steven J. Ewing — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class AMG - Click above for high-res image gallery

How does one make the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class more exclusive than it already is? If you're Mercedes, you unveil the gonzo AMG variants. Appearance-wise, changes are minimal for the 2011 CL63 and CL65 AMG, save for the addition of Mercedes' new corporate face, which includes the standard LED running-light strip and some small tweaks to the rear fascia. The big news, however, centers on the changes underhood.

Gone is the naturally aspirated ~~6.3~~ 6.2-liter AMG V8 in favor of a smaller and more powerful 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged mill. In base form, this V8 cranks out 536 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque (increases of 18 and 125, respectively), and with the optional AMG Performance Package, these numbers increase to an even more robust 563 hp and 664 lb-ft. Sweet stuff, and when matched with Mercedes' AMG Speedshift seven-speed automatic, 0-60 runs will take just 4.4 seconds (4.3 if you opt for the more powerful setup). What's most impressive, though, is that even with this added power boost, fuel consumption has been reduced by 27 percent. The range-topping CL65 AMG will carry over its 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12, though Mercedes has managed to coax an additional 17 horsepower from it for 2011. Output for the CL65 is now rated at 621 horses and 738 lb-ft of torque.

Both AMG CLs get a host new standard equipment as well. Mercedes-Benz's Direct-Steer system is on hand, as is a new crosswind stabilization feature that alters wheel-load distribution to keep things in line during heavy breezes. From there, a new torque-vectoring brake system applies one-sided braking during instances of understeer. The full suite of Mercedes-Benz driver aids is thrown in as well, including drowsiness detection, night-view assist, active lane-keeping assist and blind-spot assist. After all, with so much power on tap, you'll need a nanny (or several) to help keep things in line. Interior upgrades are similar to what we've already seen in the 2010 S-Class.

Official pricing hasn't been released yet, but expect MSRPs to increase slightly over the 2010 models ($145,200 for the CL63 and $207,170 for the CL65). Shoppers in that tax bracket shouldn't have any trouble shelling out a few grand extra for the latest in CL-Class exclusivity.

Gallery: 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 and CL65 AMG

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Twin-Turbo Temptresses: 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63, CL65 AMG

Twin-Turbo Temptresses: 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63, CL65 AMG originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 24 Jul 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Leaked: Mercedes-Benz CL63 and CL65 AMG hit the interwebs

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

2011 Mercedes CL65 AMG and CL63 AMG - Click above for high-res image gallery

We now have first looks at the two 2011 Mercedes CL models that we've really been waiting to see: the CL63 AMG and CL65 AMG. With the front end of the standard model firmed up, there isn't the massive visual difference there used to be between that one and the AMG versions. The CL63, riding on 19-inch wheels, gets the necessary aggression added to the lower front dam, losing its chrome accent and getting mesh instead. Sharper side and rear skirts maintain the anger, but out back AMG's trademark twin oval pipes have been replaced with squoval-like tips shaped to fit the cutout. Under the hood is said to be a 5.5-liter, twin-turbo V8 with 544 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque - a full 26 ponies more than the outgoing 6.3-liter.

The CL65 gets 20-inch wheels and puts some of that chrome back, applying a strip to the center of the front air dam and rear diffuser so you can tell it apart from the CL63. Or, more specifically, so people can tell your boss' CL car from yours. It keeps the joined oval pipes we've seen on 65-series AMG cars for a few years now. Under its hood resides the 6.0-liter, twin-turbo V12 biturbo giving a stout 630 hp and 737 lb-ft. You can examine both in the gallery of photos below.

Gallery: 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 and CL65 AMG

[Source: Autoblog.it (translated)]

Leaked: Mercedes-Benz CL63 and CL65 AMG hit the interwebs originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Are you the new Mercedes-Benz CL AMG range?

Zach Bowman — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

2011 Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG - Click above for image gallery

Thanks to the folks at of 4WheelsNews, we may have an idea of what the facelifted Mercedes-Benz CL63 and CL65 AMG will look like. The site managed to get its paws on what looks to be some leaked images of the cars ahead of the range's official announcement. From what we can tell, it looks like the two heavy-breathing coupes will receive the Silver Arrow's new front-fascia treatment, which means a more upright grille, along with redesigned headlights and fenders. It looks like the hood will get a mild touch-up as well, and a more aggressive lower fascia with LED daytime running lights seems to have made its way into the mix.

Overall, the design is pretty sharp, and looks more at home on the CL than the big R-Class. We still don't know exactly what Mercedes-Benz will do when it comes to powertrain options. Our guess is that things will stay fairly similar to what's currently available, but some sources have pointed to the arrival of the same 5.5-liter V8 engine from the S63 AMG in the CL line as all but inevitable. If true, that would put the CL63 at 544 horsepower. Sounds good to us.

Gallery: 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 and CL65 AMG

[Source: 4WheelsNews]

Are you the new Mercedes-Benz CL AMG range? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris Motor Show: Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG

Erin Mays — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 09:40:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz

While Eric was milling around at the Mercedes press conference, he overheard a guy with a thick French accent proclaim, "As the Americans are fond of saying - there is no replacement for cubic inches." While he may have lost something in translation, the meaning sticks, and then some -- the vehicle hosts an AMG-developed 525 hp 6.3L V8 capable of hitting 60 mph from a standstill in 4.6 seconds. As is the case with most Mercedes vehicles, the speed is governed to 155 mph.

Like most vehicles tuned by Mercedes AMG unit, the changes to the body of the vehicle are as much for performance as they are for style. The wheels are light aluminum alloy, the front and rear fascia aid in aerodynamics, and the air dams suck more air into the engine compartment. Active body control sport suspension aids in the vehicle's improved handling over the automaker's lesser coupe models.

Although Mercedes gave the press the skinny on the car well before its Paris show debut, it's still a sight to behold. Check out more information from Mercedes and pics by Eric after the jump.

Continue reading Paris Motor Show: Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG

Paris Motor Show: Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Sep 2006 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bahn-stormer Special: Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG unveiled

Noah Joseph — Wed, 13 Sep 2006 11:09:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Mercedes-Benz

UPDATED

click on image to enlarge

More details are surfacing from Mercedes-Benz on the latest car in its fleet to get AMG's new purpose-built 6.3-liter V8, following the first image we featured in July. Based on the recently updated CL-Class - the grand touring coupe itself based on the S-Class sedan - the CL63 AMG sweetens the deal with 525 hp, capable of propelling this leather-lined cruise missile to sixty in 4.6 seconds on its way to an electronically-limited top speed of 155 mph (a Mercedes standard).

In addition to the fire-snorting engine upgrade, the CL63 gets a full aero package (even more aggressive than the AMG Sport Package offered on the "standard" CL) and suspension upgrades, as well as the full host of Mercedes' electronic systems. A close-up shot of the wheels shows a monstrous brake package, while a shot of the rear seems to show an aerodynamic diffuser to minimize lift without the need for an ostentatious rear wing (there's a reason they call it a "spoiler").

No word yet on pricing, but the old axiom applies: if you have to ask, you can't afford it.

(Full high-resolution gallery and press release after the jump)

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

UPDATE: Added full high resolution gallery and press release

Continue reading Bahn-stormer Special: Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG unveiled

Bahn-stormer Special: Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG unveiled originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Sep 2006 11:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Photo: Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG

Alex Nunez — Mon, 24 Jul 2006 15:03:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Mercedes-Benz

Our friends at eMercedesBenz have done it again, scooping everybody with the first shot of the latest rocketship from AMG, the CL63.

By now, you all know how to break down the nomenclature. This is the hot rod version of the swank new CL-Class, and is powered by AMG's purpose-built 6.3 liter V8. Power will be in excess of 500 horses, but we'll have to wait for Mercedes to release the official specs to know exactly how much the new mill pumps out in this application.

The AMG body kit adds visual muscle, while prominent "6.3" badging aft of the front wheels announces the goodness underhood. Open-spoke AMG wheels complete the makeover.

We can't wait to hear the rest of the story from Mercedes!

[Source: eMercedesBenz.com]

First Photo: Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Jul 2006 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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