2011 Mercedes-Benz CL 65 AMG 6.0L V12 5AT RWD (630 HP)

Vehicle Overview

While the CL was designed mostly as a personal luxury coupe, a two-door version of the brand’s flagship S-Class, the S 65 AMG was something special. It was a potent car that could threaten any other Gran tourer vehicle on an Autobahn and win by a large margin.

Mercedes-Benz introduced the second generation of the CL-Class in 2006 and gave it enough power to be an excellent gran tourer. But customers asked for more. As a result, four years later, in 2010, the automaker introduced the facelifted version of the CL-Class C216 model. In addition, it offered it with two AMG versions.

While the CL 63 was more common, the CL 65 was scarce, mostly because it was one of the most expensive vehicles in the automaker’s stable. Unlike the 63 version, which sported a twin-turbocharged V8, the CL 65 came fitted with a monster bi-turbocharged V12. In fact, it was so powerful and produced so much torque that the automaker couldn’t fit it with the newly developed seven-speed automatic gearbox. It had to rely on its older, indestructible 5G-Tronic transmission.

From the outside, the CL 65 AMG sported an unassuming look, featuring a chromed horizontal slat on the grille and the AMG-specific lower bumper that sported an A-shaped grille. In addition, the automaker placed two functional side scoops that cooled the front rotors and housed the LED daytime running lights.

From its profile, bystanders could notice the V12 Biturbo chromed badges from the front fenders and the aerodynamically profiled side sills. At the back, the large quarter panels covered the 275/35 tires wrapped around 20” light-alloy wheels. For the rear fascia, the only details that made the car stand out from the rest of the CL range were the diffuser placed below the bumper and the four oval exhaust tips that flanked it in two pairs.

Inside, the automaker covered most of the parts with Alcantara or leather, depending on the options. The sport bucket seats featured high bolstered areas and a unique pattern on them. Between the front occupants, Mercedes-Benz installed a fat center console that housed the gear selector and a couple of buttons for various functions of the car. Fronting the driver was a CL 65 AMG-specific instrument cluster where the speedometer took center stage.

Unlike any other Mercedes-Benz produced in those times, this was marked up to 360 kph (224 mph). It was flanked on its left by the fuel gauge and the coolant temperature and on the right by the rev counter. On the center stack, the automaker placed a chromed V12 badge that reminded drivers that it was not an ordinary CL. In the back, Mercedes-Benz installed a bench seat profiled for two passengers. Surprisingly, those two seats were comfortable enough for long trips.

Under the hood, AMG installed a hand-made V12 engine that was helped by a pair of turbochargers to produce a maximum output of 630 PS (621 hp) and a massive torque of 1001 Nm (738 lb-ft). All the oomph went to the rear wheels via a limited-slip differential.