The Beautiful CL AMG 63 – Surprisingly Nimble (Detailed Review)
I have to be honest, when I first saw the CL AMG 63, I wasn’t sure how it was going to perform. It’s a big car, and doesn’t look particularly nimble. But I was pleasantly surprised – the CL AMG 63 is actually quite agile for its size. It handles well, and is a lot of fun to drive. If you’re looking for a luxurious sports car that can handle way better than it looks, the CL AMG 63 is definitely worth considering.
The Mercedes-Benz CL AMG 63 is a 2-door coupe available in the US from 2007 till 2014. The CL AMG 63 has a 6.2 liter V8 (518bhp and 465lb-ft of torque) that was replaced in 2011 with a 5.5-liter Bi-Turbo (536bhp and 590lb-ft of torque). The CL63 AMG used a 7G-Tronic 7-speed transmission.
The CL AMG 63 is a beautiful coupe with a lot to offer in safety, performance, and luxury. Read on to discover more about this vehicle’s engines, interior, and the resale price.
The CL 63 AMG Engines
The CL AMG 63 was launched in the US in 2007 with a hand-built 6.2 liter naturally aspirated V8 engine. The 6.2 Liter V8 offers 518bhp and 465lb-ft of torque with an exhaust that rumbled beautify. In 2010 Mercedes-Benz launched a facelift model of the CL AMG 63 and replaced the engine with a 5.5 liter V8.
Of course, the new 5.5 liters was hand-built, but it inherited a Bi-Turbo setup from its big brother, the CL65. The 5.5-liter Bi-Turbo V8 engine was no slouch and boosted performance by 18bhp from the outgoing 6.2 V8. The new engine had 536bhp and 590lb-ft of torque, and the exhaust note offered a deeper, more mature rumble.
The new engine for the CL AMG 63 had an optional performance package that could be installed. This package would increase the power of the 5.5 liters to 563bhp and 633lb-ft of torque. The limiter was reset to 186mph from the standard 155mph.
The CL 63 AMG Styling
The CL 63 AMG is a large coupe with all the right curves for a sleek coupe. The styling is elegant with its long two-door body, hunkered stance, and sleek sloping roofline adding to the coupe’s appeal. The AMG has frameless windows with no “B” pillar, creating an open airy aesthetic to the car.
The rear end of the car tapers down, adding to the subtle aggressive look of the car. In no way does the car shout performance but rather luxury and style, that is until the engine wakes up.
The facelift CL AMG 63 received new re-styled headlights, a newly designed bonnet, and new front and rear bumpers.
The CL AMG 63 Performance
The CL AMG 63 is fast for a two-ton vehicle; the naturally aspirated V8 managed a 4.6 second 0-62mph time and a limited top speed of 155 mph. The Bi-Turbo managed to slice off a tenth with a 0 – 62mph in 4.5 seconds and is also limited to 155 mph. Both AMGs are clearly capable of comfortably reaching the 200 mph mark.
The CL AMG 63 uses a 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission with ride switchable suspension provided by AMG. The brakes are 390mm front and 320mm rear with AMGs twin sliding caliper setup providing better heat dissipation and larger pad areas. In other words, the car stops its two-ton mass effortlessly, reliably, and safely.
The CL AMG 63 Drive
The CL AMG 63 offers a serene driving experience with plenty of power on tap. The ABC active suspension is a standard feature in the CL, and it makes quite the difference in the corners. The car’s body roll is significantly reduced, resulting in a smooth ride. The ABC (active body control) system keeps the nose down under hard acceleration and pushes the rear down in heavy braking to aid in the stopping power.
Take the CL AMG 63 on a fast twisty road, and it comes alive. The ABC system keeps the car planted and agile in the bends, and the right pedal will thrust you back into your seat as you exit. The car is heavy, but it is not noticeable while driving. The only thing to remember is the sheer length of the vehicle.
At just over 17ft, it does require a slightly later apex in the turns. The brakes on the AMG are faultless and do not display any brake fade after hampering the pedal for a while. Overall the CL AMG 63 is a tourer, and it delivers a splendid drive that should not end, but the 5.5 and 6.2 liters can get thirsty when it’s having fun.
The CL AMG 63 AMG Interior
The CL’s interior is similar to the S-Class, resulting in an ultra-clean and elegant design. Mercedes Benz has consistently offered high-quality materials in the flagship models, and they left nothing out on this AMG. The leather is soft, the wood and metal trim is polished, and the Alcantara steering wheel is just a few key features that are on offer in the stylish interior.
The gear selector stalk is positioned on the steering column. This will take some adjusting for first-time Mercedes owners. But this leaves more console space for the needed cupholders and car-info control knob.
The CL AMG 63 is a genuine four-seater, although the occupants in the back seats will need to be reasonably small to fit in comfortably. The rear seats are best used as an overflow cargo area when the 13.5 cubic foot trunk is filled with golf clubs.
The CL AMG 63 Safety
The CL AMG 63 offers all its safety features as standard and includes an array of airbags (side curtain, driver’s knee). The adaptive xenon headlights, stability control, and the PreSafe System are all standard.
The PreSafe system kicks in when the vehicle senses a possible collision. In this scenario, the system will automatically apply the brakes if the driver does not acknowledge the dash’s warning signal. The system will also close the windows, sunroof and automatically adjust the seats for optimal airbag usage when it senses a rollover. The short of it is that the CL AMG 63 is a fast and safe coupe.
The CL63 Problems
The CL AMG range has proven to be a reliable vehicle. RepairPal gives the car a reliability score of 3.0 out of 5.0. There are, however, three problems that should be noted on the car.
- The Transmission Drive Selector Failure
- Excessive engine oil consumption
- Fatigue in the engine valve stem
Before purchasing a CL AMG 63, refer to the car’s service manual to see if the vehicle had suffered from any of these problems. If so, were they repaired by an AMG Specialist?
The CL AMG 63 Specs
Below are the specs for the CL63 AMG
| CL AMG 63 | 2008 -2010 | 2011-2014 |
| Engine Type | Gas V8 | Gas V8 Bi-Turbo |
| Displacement | 6.2 Liter | 5.5 Liter |
| Max Horsepower | 518 | 536 |
| Max Torque | 465 | 590 |
| Drivetrain | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Transmission | 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic | 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic |
| Range City (miles) | 261.8 | 357.0 |
| Range Highway (miles) | 428..4 | 523.6 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity (Gallons) | 23.8 | 23.8 |
| Base Curb Weight (pounds) | 4599 | 4806 |
The CL AMG 63 Price
Below are the 2022 market prices for the CL AMG 63.
| CL63 AMG | Fair Market Range | Fair Purchase Price | Typical Listing Price |
| 6.2 V8 | $20,712 – $24,214 | $22,127 | $23,208 |
| 5.5 V8 Bi-Turbo | $39,657 – $45,466 | $42,562 | $44,829 |
CL AMG 63 Verdict
The CL AMG 63 is a beautiful sleek 2-door coupe that offers everything you need in a luxury car. The car was launched in the US in 2008 with a naturally aspirated 6.2 V8 with 518 horsepower. In 2011 the CL AMG 63 received a slight facelift and a new 5.5-liter Bi-Turbo V8 with 18 horsepower more than the outgoing model.
The CL AMG 63 is a pleasure to drive in traffic, but it comes alive when you take it on a twisty back road where the horses can run free. The car is heavy but surprisingly nimble and fun, making any journey in the CL AMG 63 memorable.
