Three weeks ago Mercedes-Benz released the new 2011 CL-Class to the world, and today, we are graced with its brawny AMG brothers, the CL63 and CL65 AMG. These two cars offer better handling, more aggressive looks, higher base equipment specs, and, of course, a stupendous amount of power.

Smaller, But Bigger
First up, the little brother of the duo: the CL63 AMG. Though it's the less-powerful of the two cars, it actually has the (arguably) more advanced engine: Mercedes AMG's new 5.5-liter twin-turbo V-8, with 536 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque standard, and up to 563 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque with the AMG Performance upgrade. This is actually a down-size in displacement from the previous 6.2-liter (though Mercedes called it a 6.3-liter) naturally aspirated V-8, but it's a step up in power. Paired with the standard three-mode AMG SpeedShift MCT seven-speed sport transmission, the car is good for 4.4-second 0-60 mph runs and 155 mph top speed in standard trim. Mercedes hasn't released the performance figures of the upgraded AMG package.

At the end of the flow path you get an AMG sport exhaust system with dual twin chrome tailpipes. The suspension is AMG-tuned all the way around, with the front sporting anti-lift control, and the rear getting both anti-dive and anti-squat systems. AMG also tunes the Active Body Control system for better behavior under sporty conditions.

Twenty-inch wheels wrapped in 255/35 front and 275/35 high-performance tires put the power to the ground. Brakes are huge two-piece internally vented and cross-drilled 15.4-inch untis up front with dual sliding calipers, while the rears are just 1-inch smaller and get single sliding calipers--lots of stopping force for a big, fast car.

As for standard equipment, the CL63 AMG comes with the COMAND infotainment system, sporting a 40-gigabyte harddrive and GPS navigation, Bluetooth handsfree calling, voice control for audio, telephone and nav, plus a range of high-spec electronics including an 11-speaker Harman/Kardon LOGIC7 surround-sound system with SD reader and six-disc DVD/CD changer. AMG premium leather, performance steering wheel and aluminum shift paddles, Racetimer-equipped instrument cluster, and 14-way power heated and active ventilated front seats with lumbar support are also standard. For the full (and highly detailed) spec list, check out page two.

Two options packages are available for the CL63 AMG: Driver Assistance and AMG Performance. The Driver Assistance package offers Distronic Plus with Pre-Safe brake, Active Blind Spot Assist, and Active Lane Keeping assist. For more on what these technologies do, check out our overview. The AMG Performance package removes the top-speed limiter, bringing it up to match its bigger brother at 186 mph, boosts power by 27 horsepower and 74 pound-feet, and adds a carbon fiber engine cover.

The CL65 AMG
The CL65 more than makes up for its slightly older engine tech with a roaring 6.0-liter V-12 strapped with a pair of turbochargers that pump output to 621 horsepower at 4,800 rpm and 738 pound-feet of torque available from 2,000-4,000 rpm. The extra power only shaves 0.2 seconds off the 0-60 mph time of the CL63 AMG, resulting in a 4.2-second dash. The likely culprit? The rear tires can only do so much. The extra power will certainly be more apparent once already rolling, particularly when passing at moderate speeds or accelerating at the top end, though the AMG Performance package addition to the CL63 AMG will close the gap significantly. Top speed of this V-12 beastie is 186 mph.

The beefier engine means the CL65 AMG has to step back to just five speeds in its AMG SpeedShift transmission, though it too gets the three-mode setup offering Sport, Comfort, and Manual options.

Brakes are the same as the CL63 AMG, as are the wheels, tires, suspension, and steering system. Exterior differences include badging and a set of "V-12-design" twin chrome tailpipes.

Unlike the CL63 AMG, the CL65 AMG doesn't offer any packages (it gets the upgrades standard) but does offer a range of stand-alone options, including a Splitview dual-content screen, carbon fiber t rim, and a range of paint and upholstery options. For the full specs and details on the CL65 AMG, check out the list on page three.

The 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 and CL65 AMG will hit dealers this November.

[Mercedes-Benz]

Preliminary Equipment List – 2011 CL63 AMG
Standard Equipment
Comfort/Convenience
COMAND system with 40GB hard-drive GPS navigation
Bluetooth interface for hands-free calling
Voice control for audio, telephone and navigation
11-speaker harman/kardon LOGIC7® surround-sound system with Dolby Digital
5.1, HD Radio®, in-dash 6-disc DVD/CD changer, in-dash SD card reader, media
interface, & SIRIUS® satellite radio
Central controller with 8" COMAND display
Power tilt/sliding sunroof
Rear window sunshade
Bi-Xenon headlamps with active curve illumination and cornering lights
KEYLESS-GO
Electronic trunk closer
PARKTRONIC with advanced Parking Guidance
AMG premium leather interior
AMG performance steering wheel with aluminum shift paddles
AMG instrument cluster with RACETIMER
AMG 14-way power heated and active ventilated front seats with adjustable
lumbar support and memory
Drive-dynamic multicontour front seats with 4-level massage
Interior ambient lighting feature
Performance/Handling
536 Horsepower @ 5,500 RPM
590 lb-ft of Torque @ 2,000 - 4,500 RPM
Acceleration: 0-60 mph: 4.4 sec.
Top speed: 155 mph (electronically limited)
AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sport transmission with Sport, Comfort and
Manual shift modes
AMG-specific power-assisted speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering
AMG-calibrated Active Body Control (ABC) suspension
Front: AMG-calibrated 4-link independent with antilift control and stabilizer bar
Rear: AMG-calibrated multilink independent with antisquat and antidive system
AMG high-performance two-piece braking system
Front: Internally ventilated and cross-drilled 15.4" discs with dual sliding
calipers
Rear: Internally ventilated and cross-drilled 14.4" discs with sliding calipers
20" AMG twin 5-spoke alloy wheels
255/35 ZR20 (front), 275/35 ZR20 (rear) high-performance tires
AMG sport exhaust system with dual twin chrome tailpipes
AMG aerodynamic sport styling
Safety/Security
New vehicle 4-year/50,000 mile warranty
Mercedes-Benz mbraceTM emergency calling and
convenience system
New vehicle 4-year/50,000 mile warranty
Mercedes-Benz maintenance system
24-hour roadside assistance program
Steel-reinforced cabin with front & rear crumple zones
3-point seatbelts with pre-tensioners and force limiters
ISOFIX anchor and tether system for child seats
Adaptive dual stage front airbags including driver knee airbag
Side airbags mounted in front and rear
Full-length head protection curtain
NECK-PRO active head restraints
4-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock and Brake Assist
AMG 2-stage Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
PRE-SAFE® (predictive occupant protection system)
Roll-over sensor
Anti-theft alarm with engine immobilizer
Night security illumination
Tire pressure monitoring system
Panic button remote key
Emergency trunk release inside cargo area
Optional Packages
Premium 2 Package ($TBD)
Rear view camera
Drive-dynamic multicontour front seats with massage
Night View Assist PLUS with Pedestrian Detection
Driver Assistance Package ($TBD)
DISTRONIC PLUS with PRE-SAFE® Brake
Active Blind Spot Assist
Active Lane Keeping Assist
AMG Performance Package ($TBD)
Top speed delimitation to 186 mph
Power increase (+27 hp/74 lb-ft)
Carbon Fiber engine cover
Stand Alone Options
Wood/premium leather steering wheel
Heated steering wheel
SPLITVIEW Dual-content viewscreen
20” AMG Twin 5-Spoke forged wheel
Carbon Fiber Trim
Paint
Black, Magnetite Black, Jade Green, Capri Blue, Flint Grey, Barolo Red, Iridium
Silver, Palladium Silver, Diamond White
Upholstery
Black Premium Leather, Savanna/Cashmere Premium Leather,
Ash/Grey Premium Leather, Sahara Beige/Black Premium Leather

Preliminary Equipment List – 2011 CL65 AMG
Standard Equipment
Comfort/Convenience
COMAND system w/ 40GB hard-drive GPS navigation
Bluetooth interface for hands-free calling
Voice control for audio, telephone and navigation
11-speaker harman/kardon LOGIC7® surround-sound system with Dolby Digital
5.1 with HD Radio® ,SIRIUS® satellite radio, & media interface
Central controller with 8" COMAND display
Power tilt/sliding sunroof
Rear window sunshade
Bi-Xenon headlamps with active curve illumination and cornering lights
KEYLESS-GO
Electronic trunk closer
PARKTRONIC with Parking Guidance
DISTRONIC PLUS with Parking Guidance and Active Blind Spot Assist
Rear view camera
Night View Assist PLUS w/pedestrian detection
AMG exclusive leather interior with V12-design diamond cross-stitching
AMG performance steering wheel with aluminum shift paddles
AMG instrument cluster with RACETIMER
AMG 14-way power heated and active ventilated front seats with adjustable
lumbar support and memory
Drive-dynamic multicontour front seats with 4-level massage
8-way power heated and active ventilated rear seats
Interior ambient lighting feature
Performance/Handling
621 Horsepower @ 4,800 RPM
738 lb-ft of Torque @ 2,000 - 4,000 RPM
Acceleration: 0-60 mph: 4.2 sec.
Top speed: 186 mph (electronically limited)
AMG SPEEDSHIFT 5-speed transmission with Sport, Comfort and Manual shift
modes
AMG-specific power-assisted speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering
AMG-calibrated Active Body Control (ABC) suspension
Front: AMG-calibrated 4-link independent with antilift control and stabilizer bar
Rear: AMG-calibrated multilink independent with antisquat and antidive
system
AMG high-performance two-piece braking system
Front: Internally ventilated and cross-drilled 15.4" discs with dual sliding
calipers
Rear: Internally ventilated and cross-drilled 14.4" discs with sliding calipers
20" AMG twin 5-spoke forged alloy wheels
255/35 ZR20 (front), 275/35 ZR20 (rear) high-performance tires
AMG sport exhaust system with V12-design dual twin chrome tailpipes
AMG aerodynamic sport styling
Safety/Security
Active Lane Keeping Assist
New vehicle 4-year/50,000 mile warranty
Mercedes-Benz mbraceTM emergency calling and
convenience system
Mercedes-Benz maintenance system
24-hour roadside assistance program
Steel-reinforced cabin with front & rear crumple zones
3-point seatbelts with pre-tensioners and force limiters
ISOFIX anchor and tether system for child seats
Adaptive dual stage front airbags including driver knee airbag
Side airbags mounted in front and rear
Full-length head protection curtain
NECK-PRO active head restraints
4-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock and Brake Assist
AMG 2-stage Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
PRE-SAFE® (predictive occupant protection system)
Roll-over sensor
Anti-theft alarm with engine immobilizer
Night security illumination
Tire pressure monitoring system
Panic button remote key
Emergency trunk release inside cargo area
Stand Alone Options
SPLITVIEW Dual-content viewscreen
Carbon Fiber Trim
Paint
Black, Magnetite Black, Jade Green, Capri Blue, Flint Grey, Barolo Red, Iridium
Silver, Palladium Silver, Diamond White
Upholstery
Black Exclusive Leather, Savanna/Cashmere Exclusive Leather,
Ash/Grey Exclusive Leather, Sahara Beige/Black Premium Leather