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The CL coupe stands out as something unique in the automotive firmament. No other manufacturer builds a coupe off its top-line luxury sedan; BMW's 6-series comes closest, but it's not really close at all. The CL is more a kindred spirit to a Bentley Continental GT or even a Brooklands. A huge, luxurious, and expensive coupe makes quite an extravagant statement, and one that's AMG-fortified makes it even more emphatically. The awesome, 6.2-liter V-8, which we know from so many AMG models, provides jet-thrust acceleration accompanied by a stock-car sound track, an utterly charming combination - especially for those with their own oil well.
Joe Lorio, Senior Editor
I didn't expect to have crowds cheering as I cruised by in this German gunship, but it seems the CL63 drew its own type of admiration. Whilst tanking up on 91-octane petrol, I had several people commend me on driving such a beautiful machine. Though it never struck me beforehand, I suppose they're right. Contrary to the CL's sheer size and heft (4685 lbs!), the car still looks slender and stylish (especially in this silver hue), but is subtle enough not to offend the retinas of local law enforcement officials.
That may prove an important point, given the sheer power the CL63's 6.2-liter V-8 throws down. I know the CL65 offers even more, but the 63 already has almost too much power. Quickly blip the throttle upon launch, and the rear end slides out as if Atlas pulled the earth out from underneath the axle. Perhaps there's a reason Mercedes doesn't allow the ESP to be fully disabled in this car...
Although you won't see it from still photography, there's also a considerable amount of whiz-bang tech built into the interior. I was startled by front seat bolsters that hug the torso in corners, thrilled by LED light artistically piped across the dashboard, and amazed at what inane features I could program via the nav system. Kudos too to M-B for their wheel controller - critics may pan it as being yet another iDrive knock-off, but it truly makes using the messy Comand infotainment system less of a chore.
Lorio's right in saying it's not like a 6-series - the Bimmer feels too 'boy racer' in comparison. I would argue that the CL63 is better than the Continental GT. The CL's substantial presence, solid feel, monstrous torque, and sumptuous appointments place it closer to the larger Brooklands coupe. Looking at it this way, if you can get a Brooklands experience for Continental GT money, you've got yourself a six-figure bargain.
Evan McCausland, Web Producer
Full Article: Automobile Magazine - REVIEWS: 2009 Mercedes Benz CL63 AMG
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