“For 2011, that doyenne of decadence, the Mercedes-Benz CL coupe, has undergone a bit of restyling at the front and rear, although the more substantive changes are under the long hood.”
“The CL550 engine has gone from 5.5 liters to 4.7 liters, but it gains two turbochargers and direct injection. Output jumps by 47 hp to 429 hp, and torque increases by nearly a third, to 516 lb-ft.”
“The CL63’s powertrain features even more changes and ushers in a new era for AMG. The old 6.2-liter normally aspirated V-8 gives way to a new twin-turbo, direct-injected 5.5-liter, an update that will eventually come to all of AMG’s “63” models (including the S63, which gets the new engine concurrently with the CL). Standard output is 536 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque, up from 518 hp and 465 lb-ft.”
“Not only does it snap off superquick gearchanges and match revs on downshifts, but it [The CL63 AMG] now also equals the smoothness of a torque-converter automatic when taking off from a stop.”
“Speaking of stops, the CL63 incorporates an auto stop/start function-a first for Mercedes (outside of its hybrids)…The auto stop/start function works well, restarting quickly enough so as not to impede takeoff.”
“The appearance tweaks and substantially improved powertrains should help keep the big Benz coupes relevant and on the radar of an audience whose stature is undiminished.”
You can read the full article in the January 2011 issue of Automobile Magazine or online here.