2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

The 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class gets freshened styling, and some models are available with new engines. This 2-door coupe shares its basic design with the 4-door Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The CL550 has a new 429-horsepower turbocharged 4.7-liter V8 engine, which replaces a 382-horsepower 5.5-liter V8. The CL63, tuned by Mercedes' AMG performance division, has a new 536-horsepower turbocharged 5.5-liter V8, which replaces a 518-horsepower 6.2-liter V8. The high-end CL600 is largely unchanged; it uses a 510-horsepower turbocharged 5.5-liter V12. Also from AMG, the top-line CL65 has a 621-horsepower turbocharged 6.0-liter V12. This is an increase of 17 horsepower over the 2010 CL65. CL550s have standard all-wheel drive, and all other CL-Class models have rear-wheel drive. V8 CL-Class models have a 7-speed automatic transmission. V12 versions have a 5-speed automatic. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front- and rear-side airbags, and curtain-side airbags. CL-Class has a standard navigation system, wireless cell-phone link, and adaptive headlights. Newly standard on all models are a night-vision-camera system, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot alert. Also newly standard is SPLITVIEW, which allows the driver and front passenger to view two different displays, in full-screen, at the same time. The driver can view navigation, audio, or other information, and the front passenger can watch a movie using included wireless headphones.

COMPETITION

Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Premium-Large Cars are top-of-the-line sedans in size and luxury. Many are manufacturer flagships and/or showcases for the newest automotive technology. Some have six-figure price tags. Our Best Buys are the Hyundai Equus, Hyundai Genesis, Lexus LS, and Mercedes-Benz S-Class. New or significantly redesigned models include the Audi A8, Fisker Karma, Hyundai Equus, Jaguar XJ Series, and Mercedes-Benz CL-Class. The BMW 7-Series gains a new gas/electric hybrid model and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class gains a new diesel model for 2011.