The Mercedes-Benz CL coupe - the company's premium two-door coupe line - is unveiling an innovative Spotlight Function as part of its infra-red based Night View Assist PLUS feature for the 2012 model year. This innovative safety system uses light from the headlamps to illuminate roadside pedestrians at night, warning both them and the driver. The 2012 CL line offers a choice of V8 or V12 power, plus high-performance AMG versions of each. The biturbo-powered direct-injection CL550 4MATIC coupe (429 hp, 516 lb-ft of torque) has standard all-wheel drive, and the CL63 AMG model comes with a high-performance direct-injection 5.5-liter AMG version of the biturbo V8 (536 hp, 590 lb-ft), complete with ECO Stop/Start and AMG's award-winning MCT transmission. The V12-powered CL600 (510 hp, 612 lb-ft) and the CL65 AMG (621 hp, 738 lb-ft) round-out the CL coupe line.
Shining a Light on Pedestrian Safety
Part of Night View Assist PLUS, the all-new Spotlight Function identifies and warns roadside pedestrians by illuminating them with specially-designed grooved headlamps. Active during nighttime darkness at speeds above 28 mph, the Spotlight Function uses sophisticated software to coordinate infrared headlamps and a windshield mounted night vision camera. The system scans 260 feet ahead of the vehicle and provides a crisp, black-and-white image of the road ahead in a screen located in the instrument cluster. A second multipurpose camera identifies and locates pedestrians near the roadside and, in addition to highlighting the person in the Night View Assist display screen, the system directs up to four controlled flashes of light from the headlamps toward the pedestrian.
Exclusive AMG Styling, Inside and Out
The 2012 Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG can be identified by unique body styling, alloy wheels, sports suspension and high-performance brake system - all designed by AMG specifically for this model. Contoured side skirts carry the aggressive lines of the front bumper to the rear, where an AMG rear apron emphasizes the width of the vehicle. A pair of twin tailpipes completes the exclusive look and sound of the AMG model.
When equipped with the optional AMG Performance Package, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG can achieve an electronically-limited top speed of 186 mph on 20-inch twin 5-spoke alloy wheels.
Inside the CL65 AMG, drivers are greeted by an AMG sport steering wheel with distinctive aluminum shift paddles and AMG multi-contour leather sport seats finished in special piping. A Sport-Controlled Efficiency-Manual button on the center console allows the driver to choose between the three different transmission shift programs that also fine-tune accelerator pedal response and sport-suspension spring and shock absorber settings. Finishing the interior is an exclusive analog clock based on the design of the "IWC-Ingenieur" series in the center of the dashboard.
Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG: Review (2/2)| Specifications | |
| Key: AT - automatic transmission, MT - manual transmission, F/R/AWD - front/rear/all wheel drive | |
| Powertrain | |
| Type | V12, Twin-Turbo |
| Displacement | 365 cu in (5980 cc) |
| Power | 612 hp @ 4800 rpm |
| Torque | 738 lb-ft @ 2300-4300 rpm |
| Redline | n/a |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Transmission | 5 Speed Automatic |
| Brakes & Tires | |
| Brakes Front - Rear | Ventilated Discs - Ventilated Discs |
| Tire Size Front - Rear | 255/35 ZR20 - 275/35 ZR20 |
| Exterior Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 201 in |
| Width | 73.7 in |
| Height | 56.1 in |
| Curb Weight | 4952 lbs |
| Performance | |
| 0-60 mph | 4.2 s |
| 1/4 Mile | n/a |
| 60-0 Braking | n/a |
| Top Speed | 155 mph |
| Fuel Economy | |
| EPA Fuel Mileage - City/Highway | 12/18 mpg |
| Origin & Price | |
| Manufacturer's Origin | Germany |
| Where Built | Sindelfingen, Germany |
| Base Retail Price (MSRP) | $214,000 (Est.) |
