Thread: 2011 mercedes CL63 AMG

The review itself is quite long,, I cut this down to more of a TECH story--

The injection stuff is quite interesting,,



First Drive: 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG

by Michael Harley (RSS feed) on Oct 29th 2010 at 11:57AM
Born-Again Big Benz Impresses Despite Electronic Nannies

2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG - Click above for high-res image gallery

Healed and with the bandages removed, all CL-Class models have emerged with a polished new appearance. Front fascias receive the obligatory LED daytime running lamps (two horizontal bars with seven illuminating diodes apiece) and standard bi-Xenon headlamps with Adaptive Highbeam Assist for state-of-the-art illumination. All turn indicators and markers now utilize new LED technology, restyled on both the front and the rear, for excellent visibility and crisp signaling.




Of special note is the optional "Splitview" screen on the dashboard. Centrally located, it has the ability to project two completely different images (e.g., navigation map and a DVD-based movie) simultaneously - one aimed at the driver, the other at the front passenger. It works flawlessly.


Embracing now-commonplace fuel-efficient engine technology, the naturally-aspirated eight-cylinder engine has been dropped. In its place is a direct-injected, four-valve, twin-turbocharged, eight-cylinder powerplant.

While direct injection is far from new (Mercedes-Benz used the technology in its 1954 300SL Gullwing), the automaker is using a unique dual fuel pump system with this new engine. A low-pressure (84 psi) pump in the gas tank supplies fuel to a second high-pressure (up to 2,556 psi) pump for the eight piezo injectors. The pressure is adjusted, on a demand basis, to lessen the electrical load on the vehicle and save fuel. The piezo-ceramic injectors are engineered to offer a blazingly fast opening time of 0.1 milliseconds - thus making it possible to program up to five separate injections with each piston stroke (Mercedes points out that its engines idle around 20 strokes per second and run at about 200 strokes every second at high speeds). As expected, the ignition system has also been upgraded. Combustion is initialized with the first spark, but the system has the capability to deliver up to four sparks within a single millisecond.



There is one Garrett turbocharger for each bank of four cylinders, each welded directly to the exhaust manifold to save space and allow more room to closely mount the catalytic converters. Boost pressure is limited by a computer-controlled vacuum-operated wastegate valve (which allows the turbochargers to freewheel during deceleration to increase efficiency). The hot pressurized air from the turbochargers flows through an air-water intercooler, nestled in the "V" of the engine, which operates with its own dedicated nose-mounted radiator and coolant circuit.

The new engine puts out some seriously impressive numbers. Thanks to 14.2 psi of forced induction, the hand-assembled "M157" twin-turbo 5.5-liter (5,461 cubic centimeters) eight-cylinder is rated at 536 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent through a seven-speed multi-clutch transmission to the rear wheels. Unlike the automaker's smooth seven-speed automatic with a traditional torque converter (found under the hood of the 2011 CL550 4MATIC), the sportier gearbox in the CL63 AMG uses a compact wet startup clutch in an oil bath.

According to Mercedes, the CL63 AMG completes the 0-60 mph dash in just 4.4 seconds while top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph. If that isn't quick enough, Mercedes-Benz offers an optional "AMG Performance Package" that increases turbo boost to 15.6 psi pushing the powerplant to 563 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque (with the performance package, acceleration to 60 mph drops to 4.3 seconds, and top speed is raised to 186 mph).
When the driver comes to a stop for more than a short moment, the engine is automatically shut off. When the brake pedal is released, the V8 immediately kicks back to life (a crankshaft sensor ensures the engine management system knows precisely which cylinder to fire first to enable the fastest possible start). Thanks to start/stop, and several other less obvious technologies at work under the hood, Mercedes says the new engine is able to earn 15 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway. Those are huge jumps in both power and efficiency.


But what about the much-touted AMG performance on a back country road?

This is where we get a bit irritable. For some reason, Mercedes-Benz doesn't let CL63 owners romp on it. While the C63 AMG and E63 AMG have traction/stability control systems that may be defeated, this big luxury coupe is paralyzed by permanent electronic intervention – it cannot be completely disabled. With 590 pound-feet of torque, full throttle from a standstill should liquidate the rear Continental SportContact tires. Instead, there is slight chirp followed by reduced power. With the transmission in "S" (Sport) or "M" (Manual) mode, thresholds are raised, but only just. There will be no burnouts or powerslides in a CL63 AMG.

It's not like the CL63 AMG isn't capable. Once speeds exceed about 30 mph and traction and power are restored, the exhaust roars and the two-door accelerates at a dizzying rate (the 621-horsepower CL65 AMG is only a tenth of a second quicker to 60 mph). Use the paddle shifters on the steering wheel and the transmission shifts solidly between gears as it responds with a firm kick in the back. And when it comes to stopping, the massive drilled disc brakes don't break a sweat. This big guy is an athlete.


Traditional Mercedes-Benz competitors, such as BMW and Audi, don't offer a full-size coupe. Looking beyond the German borders, there is the Maserati GranTurismo (smaller, slower and less expensive) and the Aston Martin coupes (still smaller and slower). Coming up short after asking the team at Mercedes-Benz (who also couldn't finger a focused adversary), we settled on the Bentley Continental GT. Its 2011 base price of $189,900 is a bit higher, but that isn't a barrier for those with the income to shop in these brackets. Apples to apples, the CL63 AMG and Continental GT are both very capable automobiles with nearly identical capabilities. Each delivers its own brand of prestige and cachet, and both will have the valets tripping over their rubber-soled shoes. We're split on our favorite.

There's a lot of stuff that has been STOLEN from the RR over the years.

I;d have to say that Land ROver (Range Rover) and Mercedes (S-Class_ have probably been the ture innovators over the last 50 years or so.