2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class First Look

The 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Coupe has a new front end, a revised back end and a handful of updates to its cabin, but according to Mercedes-Benz that's not the point of this midcycle refresh.

As you might expect from a company run by engineers, the focus of this update has actually reduced fuel consumption and improved exhaust gas emissions. Not a very sexy selling point, eh? And that's where the styling comes in.

As the CL has never been known for its brash looks, the designers who updated the CL coupe used a light touch. The new headlights get a thick strip of LEDs along the bottom, while another line of the fashionable new lights marks the outer openings of the redesigned front fascia. There's a new grille, too, with one less crossbar if you're curious. Out back the modesty continues, as the changes are limited to revised taillights, a slightly updated trunk lid and rectangular exhaust outlets.

New Engines, Same Names
So, back to that whole reduced fuel consumption issue.

Mercedes tackled that problem with a proven solution: Make the engine smaller. In this case, the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL gets a base V8 that now displaces 4.6 liters, down from 5.5 liters. It makes up the size deficit with a pair of turbochargers that helps the smaller engine deliver 429 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. Not bad given that the old 5.5-liter V8 produced 382 hp and 391 lb-ft and used 10-15 percent more fuel. Oh, and the new engine also produces 23 percent fewer emissions, so it's an improvement on all fronts, at least on paper.

An optional split-view screen can show two different images at the same time.

Strangely enough, this new coupe will still be called the CL550. Mercedes-Benz seems to feel there's some name recognition that would be lost if it keeps changing model names to reflect the new engines. The CL550 will be joined by the CL600, which naturally uses a 5.5-liter engine. It's a V12 and develops 510 hp and 612 lb-ft of torque and is essentially carried over from the previous year.

If the performance of the standard CL models leaves you unimpressed, the AMG versions should do the trick. The standard AMG coupe gets a new twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8, but it retains the CL63 designation. With 536 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque, we doubt anyone will really care what it's called. Should you prefer the feel of an AMG-tuned V12, the CL65 AMG gets a few modest upgrades that bump its output rating to 621 hp and a still staggering 738 lb-ft of torque.

No Need To Pay Attention, the CL Will Do It for You
Since the CL is considered the flagship of the Mercedes lineup, it gets first crack at the company's newest electronic systems. One of them is called Active Lane Keeping Assist, and if the name doesn't already spell it out for you, then you'll probably love it. Unlike other lane-departure warning systems, this one actually takes measures into its own hands when you doze off and wander across a lane line. First, it issues a subtle hint by vibrating the steering wheel. If you still don't wake up, it will actually use the brakes to try and point you in the right direction.

Mercedes decided to apply the same idea to the blind-spot warning system as well. If you disregard its two stages of audible warnings, it will use the brakes to keep you from steering yourself right into a fellow motorist who's hidden in your blind spot. The headlights get an active system, too. Leave your high beams on and they'll automatically dim for oncoming motorists. (Look for the CL to take over the entire driving experience with its next redesign.)

The Latest in Confusing Electronics
Since your average CL buyer is most assuredly up on the latest in audio storage technology, the new refreshed interior features a new Mercedes-Benz COMAND user interface that can accept Bluetooth, USB and SD card inputs. It also offers an optional split-view screen that can show different images to the driver and front passenger on the same screen.

There's a 7.2GB hard drive for storing music, too, and it uses Gracenote to keep everything in order. A separate 40GB hard drive is used for the navigation system, which offers 3D views and Sirius real-time traffic.

Cabin upgrades are limited to a new steering wheel, standard adjustable ambient lighting and four different choices of wood. Mercedes also points out that it only uses wood from renewable forestry sources, so there's that.

If this looks like an appealing package, you won't have to wait long. The 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Coupe will go on sale this fall in the U.S. Pricing wasn't announced, but expect nothing less than the $110,000 base price of the current model.