Mercedes CL-Class AMG: which version to buy
If you are choosing a Mercedes CL-Class AMG, the catalogue has 10 named versions in 2 generations (each with a restyling) of Coupe Hardtop, years 2000–2014, all Gasoline, all Automatic, all RWD.
If you are choosing a Mercedes CL-Class AMG, the catalogue has 10 named versions in 2 generations (each with a restyling) of Coupe Hardtop, years 2000–2014, all Gasoline, all Automatic, all RWD. The buying split is arithmetic, not taste: the lightest car is 1 generation `5.4 AT` at 1865 kg / 360 hp; the strongest is 2 generation, restyling `CL65 6.0 AT` at 630 hp; the only 300 km/h car is 2 generation, restyling `CL63 5.5 AT` (571 hp); the lowest mixed fuel use is 10.5 L/100 km on both restyled `CL63 5.5 AT` cars. There are no prices in this data, so “extra money” below means extra hp, Nm, litres, kilograms, and L/100 km, not currency.
Generations: what changed when you step up a generation
Treat restyling as a later chapter of the same generation, not a third generation.
1 generation (2000–2002) has 2 versions. `5.4 AT` is 360 hp / 265 kW at 5500 rpm, 530 Nm at 3150 rpm, 5439 cm³, 8 cylinders, V-shaped, 3 valves per cylinder, boost No, Front, longitudinal, Distributed injection (multi-point), compression 10.5, bore × stroke 97 × 92, fuel 95. `6.3 AT` is 444 hp / 327 kW at 5500 rpm, 620 Nm at 4400 rpm, 6258 cm³, 12 cylinders, V-shaped, 3 valves, boost No. Compression ratio and bore × stroke for `6.3 AT` are not measured. The V12 buys +84 hp and +90 Nm for +20 kg kerb (1885 vs 1865) and +1.1 L/100 km mixed (14.1 vs 13.0). Specific output: 360 / 5.439 ≈ 66.2 hp/L vs 444 / 6.258 ≈ 70.9 hp/L. Weight per horsepower: 1865 / 360 ≈ 5.18 kg/hp vs 1885 / 444 ≈ 4.25 kg/hp. 0–100 km/h: 6.0 s vs 5.5 s. If you want the lightest CL-Class AMG in the file, this generation is the only place it exists.
1 generation, restyling (2002–2006) still has 2 versions, same Coupe Hardtop. `5.4 AT` jumps from 360 to 500 hp (+140 hp) and from 530 to 700 Nm (+170 Nm) because boost changes from No to Compressor; displacement stays 5439 cm³. Specific output: 500 / 5.439 ≈ 91.9 hp/L. `6.0 AT` is the first 612 hp / 1000 Nm car here: 5980 cm³, 12 cylinders, V-shaped, 3 valves, Turbo, Front, longitudinal. Versus pre-restyle `6.3 AT` (444 hp, boost No): +168 hp, +380 Nm, −278 cm³, 0–100 from 5.5 s to 4.4 s. Kerb weight rises: `5.4 AT` 1995 kg vs 1865 kg (+130 kg); `6.0 AT` 2055 kg vs `6.3 AT` 1885 kg (+170 kg). Mixed consumption is 13.2 on both restyle cars — `6.0 AT` is 0.9 L/100 km thirstier than early `5.4 AT` (13.0) but 0.9 less than early `6.3 AT` (14.1). Fuel grade is 95 on all four 1 generation cars. Tank 88 L.
2 generation (2006–2010) has 3 versions. `AMG CL65 6.0 AT` keeps 612 hp / 1000 Nm / 5980 cm³ / 12 / V-shaped / Turbo but valves stay 3, injection stays Distributed injection (multi-point), layout is listed Front, transverse, kerb 2240 kg (+185 kg vs restyle `6.0 AT` 2055 kg). Mixed use 14.8 vs 13.2 (+1.6 L/100 km). The two 6.2-litre cars share 6208 cm³, 8 cylinders, V-shaped, 4 valves, boost No, 630 Nm: `6.2 AT` is 514 hp / 378 kW at 6800 rpm, 5-speed Automatic, torque rpm not measured, engine layout not measured, fuel not measured, Euro 4; `AMG CL63 6.0 AT 6.2 AT` is 525 hp / 386 kW at 6800 rpm, 630 Nm at 5200 rpm, 7-speed Automatic, Front, longitudinal, fuel 98. Same 0–100 4.6 s, same mixed 14.9, same kerb 2085 kg. The named CL63 buys +11 hp, two extra gears, and a 110 kg lower gross weight (2510 vs 2620). Clearance: `6.2 AT` is the only 130 mm car; the other two are 120 mm. Suspension: pneumatic front on all three; rear is Independent, pneumatic on the AMG-named cars and Independent hydropneumatic on `6.2 AT`. CO2 and eco class for the two AMG-named cars: not measured.
2 generation, restyling (2010–2014) has 3 versions and is the only block with Euro 5, CO2 244 g/km, Direct injection (direct), and Turbo on every car. Two names collide: both are `CL63 5.5 AT` at 5461 cm³, 8 cylinders, V-shaped, 4 valves, 7-speed Automatic, RWD. Distinguish by power: 571 hp / 420 kW / 900 Nm vs 544 hp / 400 kW / 800 Nm. The 571-hp car is 27 hp and 100 Nm stronger, 0.1 s quicker (4.4 vs 4.5), 75 kg lighter (2060 vs 2135), and the only CL-Class AMG with 300 km/h (the 544-hp car is 250). `CL65 6.0 AT` is 630 hp / 463 kW / 1000 Nm / 5980 cm³ / 12 / V-shaped / 4 valves / 5-speed Automatic / 250 km/h / kerb 2245 kg. Versus pre-restyle `AMG CL65 6.0 AT`: +18 hp, same 1000 Nm, valves 4 instead of 3, injection Direct injection (direct) instead of Distributed injection (multi-point), layout Front, longitudinal instead of Front, transverse, mixed 14.3 vs 14.8. Versus the 571-hp `CL63 5.5 AT`: +59 hp, +100 Nm, +185 kg, +3.8 L/100 km mixed (14.3 vs 10.5), 5 gears vs 7, 250 vs 300 km/h.
Engines and specs (every version)
| Generation | Version | hp | Nm | cm³ | Fuel | Cyl. / layout | Boost | Gearbox / gears | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 gen, restyling 2010–2014 | `CL65 6.0 AT` | 630 | 1000 | 5980 | Gasoline, 98 | 12, V-shaped | Turbo | Automatic, 5 | RWD |
| 2 gen, restyling 2010–2014 | `CL63 5.5 AT` (571 hp) | 571 | 900 | 5461 | Gasoline, 98 | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | Automatic, 7 | RWD |
| 2 gen, restyling 2010–2014 | `CL63 5.5 AT` (544 hp) | 544 | 800 | 5461 | Gasoline, 98 | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | Automatic, 7 | RWD |
| 2 generation 2006–2010 | `AMG CL65 6.0 AT` | 612 | 1000 | 5980 | Gasoline, 98 | 12, V-shaped | Turbo | Automatic, 5 | RWD |
| 2 generation 2006–2010 | `6.2 AT` | 514 | 630 | 6208 | Gasoline, grade not measured | 8, V-shaped | No | Automatic, 5 | RWD |
| 2 generation 2006–2010 | `AMG CL63 6.0 AT 6.2 AT` | 525 | 630 | 6208 | Gasoline, 98 | 8, V-shaped | No | Automatic, 7 | RWD |
| 1 gen, restyling 2002–2006 | `6.0 AT` | 612 | 1000 | 5980 | Gasoline, 95 | 12, V-shaped | Turbo | Automatic, 5 | RWD |
| 1 gen, restyling 2002–2006 | `5.4 AT` (500 hp) | 500 | 700 | 5439 | Gasoline, 95 | 8, V-shaped | Compressor | Automatic, 5 | RWD |
| 1 generation 2000–2002 | `5.4 AT` (360 hp) | 360 | 530 | 5439 | Gasoline, 95 | 8, V-shaped | No | Automatic, 5 | RWD |
| 1 generation 2000–2002 | `6.3 AT` | 444 | 620 | 6258 | Gasoline, 95 | 12, V-shaped | No | Automatic, 5 | RWD |
Power per litre (hp ÷ displacement in litres): `CL65 6.0 AT` 630 / 5.980 ≈ 105.4 hp/L; `CL63 5.5 AT` 571 hp 571 / 5.461 ≈ 104.6; `CL63 5.5 AT` 544 hp ≈ 99.6; restyle `6.0 AT` and `AMG CL65 6.0 AT` 612 / 5.980 ≈ 102.3; restyle `5.4 AT` ≈ 91.9; `AMG CL63 6.0 AT 6.2 AT` 525 / 6.208 ≈ 84.6; `6.2 AT` ≈ 82.8; `6.3 AT` ≈ 70.9; early `5.4 AT` ≈ 66.2. The restyle 5.5-litre eights sit next to the 6.0-litre twelve on specific output; the naturally aspirated 6.2-litre eights sit well below.
Performance and economy
0–100 km/h: four cars share 4.4 s — restyle `CL65 6.0 AT`, restyle `CL63 5.5 AT` (571 hp), `AMG CL65 6.0 AT`, restyle `6.0 AT`. Restyle `CL63 5.5 AT` (544 hp) is 4.5 s. Both 6.2-litre cars are 4.6 s. Restyle `5.4 AT` is 4.8 s. Early `6.3 AT` is 5.5 s. Early `5.4 AT` is 6.0 s — 1.6 s slower than the fastest cars in the file.
Top speed is 250 km/h on nine versions. The exception is `CL63 5.5 AT` (571 hp) at 300 km/h. Choosing the 630 hp `CL65 6.0 AT` over that CL63 buys +59 hp and +100 Nm and gives away 50 km/h of listed top speed.
City / highway / mixed L/100 km:
- Restyle `CL63 5.5 AT` (both 571 and 544 hp): 14.4 / 8.2 / 10.5
- Restyle `CL65 6.0 AT`: 21.8 / 9.9 / 14.3
- `AMG CL65 6.0 AT`: 23.1 / 10 / 14.8
- `6.2 AT` and `AMG CL63 6.0 AT 6.2 AT`: 23.2 / 10.2 / 14.9
- Restyle `6.0 AT` and restyle `5.4 AT`: 19.8 / 9.5 / 13.2
- Early `6.3 AT`: 22.2 / 9.8 / 14.1
- Early `5.4 AT`: 19.6 / 9.2 / 13.0
The restyled CL63 pair uses 3.8 L/100 km less mixed than `CL65 6.0 AT` (10.5 vs 14.3) and 4.4 less than the 6.2-litre cars (10.5 vs 14.9). Early `5.4 AT` is the thriftiest 1 generation car at 13.0 mixed, 0.2 below the restyle 5.4/6.0 pair.
CO2 is 244 g/km on all three 2010–2014 cars and not measured on the other seven. Eco class is Euro 5 (2010–2014), Euro 4 (`6.2 AT` only), not measured elsewhere.
Approximate mixed range (tank ÷ mixed × 100): restyle CL63 90 / 10.5 × 100 ≈ 857 km; restyle `CL65 6.0 AT` ≈ 629 km; `AMG CL65 6.0 AT` ≈ 608 km; 6.2-litre pair ≈ 604 km; restyle 1 generation 88 / 13.2 × 100 ≈ 667 km; early `5.4 AT` ≈ 677 km; early `6.3 AT` ≈ 624 km.
Dimensions and weight
Kerb / gross, kg/hp (kerb ÷ hp), clearance, tank, wheels:
- `CL65 6.0 AT`: 2245 / 2645, ≈ 3.56 kg/hp, 120 mm, 90 L, 255/35 R20 and 275/35 R20
- `CL63 5.5 AT` 571 hp: 2060 / 2585, ≈ 3.61 kg/hp, 120 mm, 90 L, 255/40 R19 and 275/40 R19
- `CL63 5.5 AT` 544 hp: 2135 / 2585, ≈ 3.92 kg/hp, 120 mm, 90 L, same 19-inch pair
- `AMG CL65 6.0 AT`: 2240 / 2635, ≈ 3.66 kg/hp, 120 mm, 90 L, 255/35 R20 and 275/35 R20
- `6.2 AT`: 2085 / 2620, ≈ 4.06 kg/hp, 130 mm, 90 L, wheels not measured
- `AMG CL63 6.0 AT 6.2 AT`: 2085 / 2510, ≈ 3.97 kg/hp, 120 mm, 90 L, 255/40 R19 and 275/40 R19
- Restyle `6.0 AT`: 2055 / 2580, ≈ 3.36 kg/hp, 120 mm, 88 L, 245/35 R19 and 275/30 R19
- Restyle `5.4 AT`: 1995 / 2420, ≈ 3.99 kg/hp, 120 mm, 88 L, 245/45 R18 and 275/40 R18
- Early `5.4 AT`: 1865 / 2320, ≈ 5.18 kg/hp, 120 mm, 88 L, 245/45 R18 and 275/40 R18
- Early `6.3 AT`: 1885 / 2380, ≈ 4.25 kg/hp, 120 mm, 88 L, same 18-inch pair
Lightest kerb is early `5.4 AT` (1865 kg). Heaviest is `CL65 6.0 AT` (2245 kg, +380 kg). Lowest kg/hp is restyle `6.0 AT` (≈ 3.36): 612 hp in 2055 kg. Highest kg/hp is early `5.4 AT` (≈ 5.18). Among 2010–2014 cars, the 571-hp `CL63 5.5 AT` is 185 kg lighter than `CL65 6.0 AT` and 75 kg lighter than the 544-hp `CL63 5.5 AT`.
Front/rear brakes are Ventilated disc / Disc ventilated on every version. Suspension is Independent, spring on 1 generation (both chapters) and on 2 generation restyling; 2 generation pre-restyle is pneumatic (and hydropneumatic at the rear of `6.2 AT` only). Bore × stroke not measured on restyle `CL65 6.0 AT`, 544-hp `CL63 5.5 AT`, and `6.3 AT`.
Which version to choose
Daily use and fuel: both 2 generation, restyling `CL63 5.5 AT` cars. Mixed 10.5 L/100 km is the catalogue floor; city 14.4 is 7.4 below `CL65 6.0 AT` (21.8) and 8.8 below `6.2 AT` (23.2). Same 90 L tank, same Euro 5, same 244 g/km. Prefer 571 hp over 544 hp: +27 hp, +100 Nm, −75 kg, 4.4 vs 4.5 s, 300 vs 250 km/h, same 10.5 mixed. That 571-hp car is also ≈ 104.6 hp/L versus ≈ 99.6.
Maximum listed power: `CL65 6.0 AT`, 630 hp / 1000 Nm. It matches the 571-hp CL63 at 4.4 s but is 185 kg heavier and 3.8 L/100 km thirstier mixed, with a 5-speed box against 7. The 12-cylinder layout is V-shaped; valves 4; boost Turbo. If the goal is the 12-cylinder number without 2010–2014, `AMG CL65 6.0 AT` and restyle `6.0 AT` both give 612 hp / 1000 Nm; the 2002–2006 `6.0 AT` is 185 kg lighter than the 2006–2010 AMG CL65 (2055 vs 2240) and 1.6 L/100 km better mixed (13.2 vs 14.8), on 95 rather than 98.
Naturally aspirated 8-cylinder (boost No): 2 generation `6.2 AT` (514 hp) or `AMG CL63 6.0 AT 6.2 AT` (525 hp). Same 6208 cm³, 630 Nm, 4.6 s, 14.9 mixed. The named CL63 adds 11 hp, 7 gears vs 5, 98 fuel vs not measured, and 110 kg less gross. `6.2 AT` is the only 130 mm clearance and the only Euro 4 line. Specific output stays in the 82–85 hp/L band — well below the turbo 5.5.
Compressor 8-cylinder: only 1 generation, restyling `5.4 AT` (500 hp). Versus early `5.4 AT` (360 hp, boost No): +140 hp, +170 Nm, 4.8 vs 6.0 s, +130 kg, mixed 13.2 vs 13.0. Same 5439 cm³, same 97 × 92. It is the unique Compressor row in the table.
Lightest / earliest: 1 generation `5.4 AT` (360 hp) at 1865 kg. Slowest 0–100 (6.0 s), highest kg/hp (≈ 5.18), lowest mixed among 1 generation (13.0). Step to `6.3 AT` if you want 12 cylinders without turbo: +84 hp, +20 kg, 5.5 s, 14.1 mixed, displacement 6258 cm³ (largest in the file).
What “stepping up” actually buys, in numbers
- Early `5.4 AT` → restyle `5.4 AT`: +140 hp, +170 Nm, −1.2 s, +130 kg, mixed +0.2.
- Restyle `5.4 AT` → restyle `6.0 AT`: +112 hp, +300 Nm, −0.4 s, +60 kg, mixed unchanged 13.2.
- Restyle `6.0 AT` → `AMG CL65 6.0 AT`: same 612 / 1000, +185 kg, mixed +1.6, tank 88 → 90.
- `AMG CL65 6.0 AT` → restyle `CL65 6.0 AT`: +18 hp, same 1000 Nm, +5 kg, mixed −0.5, valves 3 → 4.
- `6.2 AT` → `AMG CL63 6.0 AT 6.2 AT`: +11 hp, 5 → 7 gears, gross −110 kg.
- `AMG CL63 6.0 AT 6.2 AT` → restyle `CL63 5.5 AT` 571 hp: displacement 6208 → 5461, +46 hp, +270 Nm, boost No → Turbo, 4.6 → 4.4 s, mixed 14.9 → 10.5, top speed 250 → 300, kerb 2085 → 2060.
Short map: buy `CL63 5.5 AT` (571 hp) if the numbers that matter are fuel, kg/hp among late cars, and 300 km/h; buy `CL65 6.0 AT` if the number that matters is 630 hp; buy restyle `6.0 AT` if you want 612 hp / 1000 Nm at the lowest kg/hp in the file (≈ 3.36); buy `AMG CL63 6.0 AT 6.2 AT` if you want 6208 cm³ with boost No and 7 gears; buy early `5.4 AT` (360 hp) if the number that matters is 1865 kg. Prices are not measured.