First Look: 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG
If you are in the market for a top-notch grand tourer, odds are you’ve already considered Aston Martin’s DB9 and DBS, Ferrari’s California, 599 GTB, and 612 Scaglietti, Maserati’s aptly named GranTurismo, and Bentley’s Continental GT. If you are looking for something more subdued, might we recommend a stop at your local Mercedes-Benz dealership?
Mercedes has just taken the wraps off of the new CL63 AMG. Equipped with a biturbocharged 5.5-liter V-8, this CL produces 544 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. When the AMG Performance Package is added, power is bumped to 571 horsepower and a stonking 663 pound-feet of torque. Mated to a seven-speed AMG Speedshift transmission, the CL63 will hit 62 miles per hour in 4.5 seconds (4.4 seconds with the AMG pack), and an electronically limited top speed of 155 miles per hour (186 miles per hour with the AMG pack).
Speaking of that performance pack, it includes more than just some extra power. A choice of gray or black mirror-finished twenty-inch wheels, plenty of carbon fiber inside and out, and an Alcantara and leather AMG steering wheel. Other goodies on the CL63 include Direct-Steer, Torque Vectoring Brake, and Crosswind Stabilization. Direct-steer alters steering ratios, generating a more direct steering feel, while Torque Vectoring Brake brakes the inner wheel in a turn allowing greater control during aggressive cornering maneuvers.
In terms of luxury items, expect every tech item under the sun to be crammed onto this high-class Benz. All of that tech and power comes at a price, though. In this case, its €135,000 ($184,774 at today’s rates). If you order the AMG Performance pack (you should), that will tack on an additional €7900 ($10,812). While this might seem like an obscene amount of money, if you are in the market for a big two-plus-two, there are few choices that are more affordable but still offer so much performance and comfort.
Please scroll down for the official press release from Mercedes-Benz.
Mercedes-Benz CL 63 AMG / CL 65 AMG
High-performance coupé with new drive system: Higher performance, lower consumption – the new CL 63 AMG
Hockenheim – New design and new high-tech drive system: the Mercedes-Benz CL 63 AMG is to feature a new cutting-edge look as well as state-of-the-art technology. The stylish visual modifications will be accompanied by a completely newly developed powertrain. The AMG 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine with a peak output of up to 420 kW (571 hp) and a torque of up to 900 Nm, in combination with the unique AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission, contributes towards a considerable increase in driving dynamics, while at the same time guaranteeing a respectable reduction in consumption and emissions. With a fuel consumption of 10.5 litres per 100 kilometres (NEDC combined), the new high-performance coupé not only undercuts its direct competitors – it is also 27 percent more economical in terms of its fuel consumption than the previous model with naturally aspirated V8 engine.
The new CL 63 AMG marks the start of a new chapter in the "AMG Performance 2015" drive strategy: Mercedes-AMG is continuing this impressive story and is meeting its promise to continuously reduce both the fuel consumption and emissions of new models with the new engine/transmission combination – while reaching new heights with the central AMG brand value of "performance".
According to Ola Källenius, head of Mercedes-AMG GmbH: "We are heading into a new era with the CL 63 AMG: for the first time we have combined spray-guided direct petrol injection with biturbocharging and the stop/start system. Together with the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission, we have reduced both fuel consumption and emissions significantly – while at the same time increasing output and torque."
Together with the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission, the new AMG 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine will play a significant role in the Mercedes-AMG model strategy over the coming year. The new engine/transmission combination marks a further milestone in the successful history of Mercedes-AMG, which began back in 1967.
Direct petrol injection and twin turbocharging
Designated internally as the M157, the new V8 engine is a prime example of efficiency and features a whole host of impressive technological highlights: for the first time Mercedes-AMG is taking advantage of direct petrol injection with spray-guided combustion and piezo injectors. This technology enables improved fuel economy thanks to higher thermodynamic efficiency, which in turns leads to lower exhaust emissions. AMG has combined the spray-guided combustion with biturbocharging. Other highlights of the innovative, original eight-cylinder engine from Affalterbach include full aluminium crankcase, four-valve technology with variable intake valve timing, air/water charge air cooling, generator management and also standard start/stop function.
Compared with the AMG 6.3-litre naturally aspirated V8 engine with a displacement of 6208 cc, the new AMG 5.5-litre V8 biturbo engine achieves all this with a displacement of 5461 cc.
This high-tech package leads to a high output and torque yield, together with fuel consumption figures that are unrivalled in the competitive lineup. The AMG 5.5‑litre V8 biturbo engine develops a peak output of 400 kW (544 hp) and maximum torque of 800 Nm. In conjunction with the AMG Performance package these figures are increased to 420 kW (571 hp) and 900 Nm. A look at the performance diagrams shows that no other engine in this output class achieves the figures delivered by the new AMG biturbo. The major difference between the two performance classes is an increase in the maximum charge pressure from 1.0 to 1.3 bar. In addition, the engine cover of the CL 63 AMG with the AMG Performance package comes with high-quality carbon-fibre applications.
Quantum leap: fuel consumption reduced by 25 percent
With an NEDC fuel consumption of 10.5 litres per 100 kilometres, the new CL 63 AMG is 3.9 litres more economical than the previous model powered by the naturally aspirated AMG 6.3-litre V8 – despite an increase in maximum power of 14 kW(19 hp) and 34 kW (46 hp) respectively, and in torque of 170 and 270 Nm. Engine specialists consider this achieved fuel saving of more than 25 percent to be nothing less than a quantum leap. CO2 emissions have likewise been significantly reduced: at 244 grams per kilometre, the figure is 29 percent lower than for the previous model. Both performance variants have identical fuel consumption and CO2 figures.
With figures like these, the new CL 63 AMG is not only considerably better than all its competitors, but also more fuel-efficient than much less powerful cars in this segment.
Sports car-level performance
At the same time the CL 63 AMG delivers superior performance at sports car level: the Coupé accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds, and has an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. The 100 km/h mark is reached in just 4.4 seconds with the AMG Performance package, with the top speed increased to an electronically limited 300 km/h.
It is not only the unrivalled torque delivery of this turbocharged eight-cylinder that makes the heart beat faster, as the agile responsiveness with no irritating charger delay also leads to an effortlessness and dynamism previously unknown in this output class. All perfectly matched by the characteristic and powerful, sonorous engine note. Moreover, this AMG high-performance engine naturally meets all the requirements with respect to smooth, quiet running and the comfort on long journeys that is to be expected of a Mercedes.
Key data at a glance:
CL 63 AMG
Displacement
5461 cc
Bore x stroke
98.0 x 90.5 mm
Compression ratio
10.0:1
Output
400 kW (544 hp) at 5500 rpm
420 kW (571 hp) at 5500 rpm*
Max. torque
800 Nm at 2000 – 4500 rpm
900 Nm at 2250 – 3750 rpm*
at 2500 – 3750 rpm*
Engine weight (dry)
204 kg
Power/weight ratio
0.41 kg/hp 0.39 kg/hp*
Fuel consumption NEDC combined
10.5 l/100 km
CO2 emissions
244 g/km
Acceleration 0 – 100 km/h
4.5 s
4.4 s*
Top speed**
250 km/h
300 km/h*
* with AMG Performance package;
** electronically limited
AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission
Power is transferred by the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission used exclusively by AMG. It combines high emotional appeal with outstanding driving dynamics and a high level of efficiency. A wet start-up clutch replaces a conventional torque converter, and helps to save fuel. The exemplary fuel economy is also in large measure due to the standard stop/start function. This system is active in the transmission’s Controlled Efficiency ("C") mode, and switches the eight-cylinder engine off when the car comes to a stop. In "C" mode the coupé always starts off in second gear, and the transmission shifts to the next, higher gears at a decidedly early stage. With its high torque at low engine speeds, the V8 engine encourages a smooth, effortless driving style.
The eight-cylinder biturbo engine also features a generator management system: whenever the engine is on the overrun or when braking, kinetic energy is used to charge the battery rather than being wasted as heat in the usual way. In all other operating modes a combination of onboard network and generator management enables the generator to be kept at a low voltage. This reduces the load on the engine and makes for fuel savings of around 0.15 litre per 100 kilometres according to the NEDC standard, and up to 0.2 litre per 100 km in city traffic with its frequent overrun and braking phases.
Engine production – tradition of hand-built excellence
Like all other AMG engines, the new eight-cylinder biturbo is assembled by hand in the AMG engine shop taken into commission in 2002. Highly-qualified technicians assemble the M157 according to the "one man, one engine" philosophy, maintaining the very strictest quality standards. This painstaking care is attested to by the signature on the characteristic AMG engine plate.
New AMG triple-spoke light-alloy wheels
In visual terms, the new CL 63 AMG has an even more athletic, confident appearance. The bonnet, headlamps, radiator grille, bicolour tail lamps and the newly designed AMG bodystyling all add more dynamism. The "V8 Biturbo" lettering on the mudguards points to the new powertrain. Also featuring a new look are theAMG triple-spoke light-alloy wheels, painted in titanium grey and with a high-sheen finish, and fitted with 255/40 and 275/40 R 19 tyres. New in the interior are the AMG sports steering wheel with silver-coloured aluminium shift paddles and specially shaped grip area covered with perforated nappa leather, as well as the "AMG V8 Biturbo" start screen in the AMG instrument cluster. As a new optional extra, SPLITVIEW is also available for the COMAND multimedia system.
Direct-Steer system, Torque Vectoring Brake and crosswind stabilisation
With immediate effect, standard equipment on the CL 63 AMG now includes the Direct-Steer system, Torque Vectoring Brake and crosswind stabilisation. With its variable ratio depending on steering angle, the Direct-Steer system helps to ensure a more direct response when cornering, and therefore more responsive handling – in brief: enhanced driving pleasure at the wheel of the Mercedes-AMG CL-Class. Thanks to brief direct application of the brakes on the vehicle’s inner rear wheel when cornering, the Torque Vectoring Brake, meanwhile, helps to ensure that the V8 coupé corners precisely and under control at all times. The Torque Vectoring Brake is an additional feature of the Electronic Stability Program ESP® and not only noticeably improves responsiveness but also active handling safety in critical conditions.
The AMG sports suspension based on Active Body Control (ABC) now also provides crosswind stabilisation as an additional function: thanks to this feature, influences caused by crosswinds are compensated for, or – in the case of strong gusts – reduced to a minimum. ABC compensates against the effect of crosswinds by adjusting the wheel load distribution within milliseconds, using the yaw-rate and lateral acceleration sensors of the ESP®.
Based on the ADAPTIVE BRAKE system with large compound brake discs all round, the AMG high-performance braking system continues to set the benchmark for stopping power, sensitivity and fade resistance.
A unique combination of driver-assistance systems
The unique combination of innovative camera and radar-based driver-assistance systems has been enhanced even further with immediate effect with a view to perfecting the vehicle’s active and passive safety. New optional extras now available for the CL 63 AMG include Active Lane Keeping Assist and Active Blind-Spot Assist. Active Lane Keeping Assist comes into play when the CL 63 AMG unintentionally strays over a solid line on the right or left of a lane or on the outside of a bend. In such cases the Electronic Stability Program ESP® applies the brakes to the wheels on the opposite side of the vehicle to prevent it from
unintentionally straying from its lane.
Also new is the Active Blind Spot Assist, which warns the driver by displaying a red warning in the glass of the relevant exterior mirror when it detects that changing lanes would be too dangerous. If the driver ignores the warning signal and a vehicle in an adjacent lane comes too close, the ESP® takes corrective action by applying the brakes to the wheels on the opposite side of the vehicle.
Individualisation thanks to AMG Performance Studio and designo
New optional extras from the AMG Performance Studio as well as designo enable the vehicle’s individuality to be enhanced even further.
The exclusive optional extras from the AMG Performance Studio at a glance:
* AMG Performance package: increase in maximum power of 20 kW (27 hp) and maximum torque of 100 Nm, genuine carbon fibre AMG engine cover
* AMG double-spoke forged wheels, painted in titanium grey with a mirror finish and fitted with 255/35 R 20 (front) and 275/30 R 20 (rear) tyres
* AMG double-spoke forged wheels, painted in black with a mirror finish and fitted with 255/35 R 20 (front) and 275/35 R 20 (rear) tyres
* AMG Exterior Carbon package
* AMG performance steering wheel in leather/Alcantara®
* AMG carbon-fibre trim elements
The wide range of designo products includes exclusive paint finishes, leather upholstery, trim elements and steering wheels – as well as the designo Selection, a very special high-end equipment package.
The new CL 63 AMG will celebrate its market launch in September 2010. The vehicle will have a sales price of 135,100 euros (excl. VAT)/160,769 euros (incl. 19% VAT). The AMG Performance package costs 7900 euros (excl. VAT)/9401 euros (incl. 19% VAT).
Top-of-the-range CL-Class models from Mercedes-AMG appeal to customers worldwide.
Exclusivity and dynamism, individuality and high tech: both the CL 63 AMG and the top-of-the-line V12 model, the CL 65 AMG, embody all of these characteristics. Since their market launch in 2007, the CL-Class models from AMG have won the hearts of more than 6,000 customers around the world – making the high-performance Coupés the leaders in their segment. The twelve-cylinder CL 65 AMG model now produces 463 kW (630 hp) and will also be celebrating its market launch in September. The vehicle has a sales price of 191,450 euros (excl. VAT)/227,825.50 euros (incl. 19% VAT).
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