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

Bill Wood · #1 07-24-2010, 02:10 PM

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]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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07-24-2010 03:00 PM

Fulcrum525 · #2 07-24-2010, 03:42 PM

I find it odd that the 6.3 (I know, 6.2....) was with us for only a few years. Still though i'm curious to learn more about the new twin turbo engine

I can only imagine that they did it for fuel economy reasons.

iwrock · #3 07-24-2010, 05:03 PM

The 6.3 was not that great of a motor IMO

Fulcrum525 · #4 07-24-2010, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iwrock

The 6.3 was not that great of a motor IMO

Well it was nice to drive but it wasn't a step forward from the supercharged 5.5. (enough tests showed that the faster engine was the one with the better driver behind the wheel)

iwrock · #5 07-24-2010, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fulcrum525

Well it was nice to drive but it wasn't a step forward from the supercharged 5.5. (enough tests showed that the faster engine was the one with the better driver behind the wheel)

Not necessarily that. The M156 just does not have the lifespan of the M113k motors. The internals are not quite as strong, and because of their design are prone to more failures.

Fulcrum525 · #6 07-24-2010, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iwrock

Not necessarily that. The M156 just does not have the lifespan of the M113k motors. The internals are not quite as strong, and because of their design are prone to more failures.

Really, got any links to back that up? (I've been out of the loop for too long and haven't heard about any issues with the 6.3) The only thing that seemed to go wrong on the M113ks were the intercoolers most of which were updated under warranty.

iwrock · #7 07-24-2010, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fulcrum525

Really, got any links to back that up? (I've been out of the loop for too long and haven't heard about any issues with the 6.3) The only thing that seemed to go wrong on the M113ks were the intercoolers most of which were updated under warranty.

Information is from talking to MB techs.