2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Facelift, Keeps Name but gets New Bi-Turbo V8

This here is the refreshed 2011 CL-Class, which despite the rumors, doesn't adopt the S-Class Coupe moniker as part of Mercedes-Benz's new nomenclature that started with the new E-Class Coupe that replaced the CLK. For its mid-life facelift, the CL coupe has received a mild redesigned and a new bi-turbo V8 engine.

Visual updates include a redesigned front bumper housing LED strips with chrome surrounds for the daytime running lights, a reshaped hood, new headlamps and a more V-shaped grille.

The LED turn indicators and position marker lamps along with the reprofiled rear bumper and newly-designed tail lamps round off the exterior changes.

Inside, the higher-quality trim materials and new color options are matted with redesigned multifunction wood/leather steering wheel steering and additional ambient light spots.

Under the bonnet, there's a new 4.7-liter bi-turbocharged V8 engine with BlueDIRECT technology for the CL500 (CL550 for North America), which comes with a revised version of Mercedes-Benz's seven-speed automatic gearbox with an integrated stop-start system and brake energy recuperation.

The eight-cylinder unit produces 429HP, a 12 percent increase in power over its predecessor, which had an output of 382HP. At the same time, torque was raised from 391 lb-ft to 516 lb-ft, an increase of 32 percent.

Furthermore, the new V8 engine achieves a 10-15% improvement in fuel economy and 23% improvement in CO2 emissions.

The CL500 / CL550 4MATIC requires 4.9 seconds to accelerate from a standstill to 100km/h (62mph), a 0.5 second improvement over the previous model.

The range also includes the CL600, with its 510HP 12-cylinder biturbo engine and 612 lb-ft. of torque that accelerates the luxury coupé from a standstill to 100km/h (62mph) mph in a 4.5 seconds. Top speed on both models is electronically limited at 250km/h (155mph).

For buyers needing more power, Mercedes will debut the new CL63 AMG and CL65 AMG models later this year.

Among the many tech highlights is a new Active Lane Keeping Assist safety feature that utilizes a camera mounted on the inside of the windshield and a radar system that scans the side of the roadway, to gently apply the brakes when the driver steers away from his lane.

The 2011MY CL-Class will make its market debut in Autumn of 2010.

2011 Mercedes-Benz CL AMG: First Official Picture of Facelifted Model

An official picture of the updated 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL (see the spy shots here) in AMG guise has been found by our fellow bloggers over at Autoblog.nl. The facelifted CL gets a new snout with a more pointed design and a single, instead of two, horizontal bar on the grille along with new LED daytime running lights.

We still don't know if there are any changes under the hood, but it is believed that like the new CLS AMG, the CL 63 AMG coupe will get Merc's new 5.5-liter bi-turbocharged V8 engine delivering 544 ponies in standard form and 571HP with an optional performance package.

Via: Autoblog.nl

VIDEO: 2012 Mercedes ML Prototype and AMG S-Class Pull Out CL-Class AMG Test Car from Snow Ditch

Now here's an incident that you don't get to see very often - let alone capture on film. But these spy photographers got lucky when, while they were tailing a camouflaged 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML SUV prototype on a snow covered road, the driver of the SUV led them straight to a CL-Class AMG facelift test car that was trapped in a ditch!

At first, the Mercedes-Benz team tried to pull out the CL-Class AMG coupe only with the all-wheel drive ML.

When that didn't work, they then employed the help of an S-Class AMG sedan equipped with snow chains. The combined pulling power of the two Mercs did the job. Enjoy the video after the break.

Via: Youtube / AMS

Vath Lifts Performance of Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG to 745HP

German tuning firm Vath is upping the performance ante on the Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG once again with the release of a new package that increases power and gives the luxury coupe a more aggressive look. As if the standard Benz's 612-horsepower twin-turbo V12 wasn't already enough, Vath's engine kit lifts output to 745HP and a spectacular 1,150Nm or 848 lb-ft of peak torque.

The tuner claims that with this package, the CL65 AMG can go from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in just 4.0 seconds and reach speeds of up to 340 km/h or 211 mph. Even more impressive is the price of the kit that will cost you as much as a new C-Class at a hefty €36,890 or about US$53,100, including installation.

Other available performance mods include a sports braking system with 6 piston fixed calipers and 405 mm disks priced at €8,082 (US$11,600), 20-inch alloy wheels with Vredestein tires for speeds up to 270km/h or 168mph at €7,378 (US$10,600) and a lowering module for the airmatic suspension priced at €1,952 (US$2,800).

Cosmetic enhancements are limited to a subtle body kit with a carbon fiber front apron and rear diffuser fins, and boot lid and roof spoilers, which cost together €3,188 or about US$4,600.

ASMA Attack: Mercedes CL65 AMG Based Phantasma CL Chrome

Just when you thought it was safe again to take a peak into the world of ASMA Design, the German tuning house goes and presents this burlesque creation, the Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG-based, Phantasma CL Chrome. We're not entirely sure if the car's name is derived from the Greek word Phantasma that translates to ghost, but there's no doubt in our mind that most will act like they've seen one after looking at this monstrous creation.

As if the vent-astic 'Darth Vader' grille, the various aerodynamic add-ons of the wide-bodykit and the humongous 22-inch wheels shod in 255/30 tires up front and 295/25 at the rear weren't scary enough, ASMA Design took the liberty to paint the car a shiny chrome finish.

Performance-wise, the Phantasma CL Chrome's AMG 6.0-liter turbocharged V12 engine has been upgraded to deliver an output of 725HP and a maximum torque of 1,180Nm or 870lbs/ft. This results to a zero to 100km/h or 62mph sprint time of 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 205mph or 330km/h.