This here is the refreshed 2011 CL-Class, which despite the rumors, doesn’t adopt the S-Class Coupe moniker as part of Mercedes-Benz’s new nomenclature that started with the new E-Class Coupe that replaced the CLK. For its mid-life facelift, the

This here is the refreshed 2011 CL-Class, which despite the rumors, doesn’t adopt the S-Class Coupe moniker as part of Mercedes-Benz’s new nomenclature that started with the new E-Class Coupe that replaced the CLK. For its mid-life facelift, the CL coupe has received a mild redesigned and a new bi-turbo V8 engine.

Visual updates include a redesigned front bumper housing LED strips with chrome surrounds for the daytime running lights, a reshaped hood, new headlamps and a more V-shaped grille.

The LED turn indicators and position marker lamps along with the reprofiled rear bumper and newly-designed tail lamps round off the exterior changes.

Inside, the higher-quality trim materials and new color options are matted with redesigned multifunction wood/leather steering wheel steering and additional ambient light spots.

Under the bonnet, there’s a new 4.7-liter bi-turbocharged V8 engine with BlueDIRECT technology for the CL500 (CL550 for North America), which comes with a revised version of Mercedes-Benz’s seven-speed automatic gearbox with an integrated stop-start system and brake energy recuperation.

The eight-cylinder unit produces 429HP, a 12 percent increase in power over its predecessor, which had an output of 382HP. At the same time, torque was raised from 391 lb-ft to 516 lb-ft, an increase of 32 percent.

Furthermore, the new V8 engine achieves a 10-15% improvement in fuel economy and 23% improvement in CO2 emissions.

The CL500 / CL550 4MATIC requires 4.9 seconds to accelerate from a standstill to 100km/h (62mph), a 0.5 second improvement over the previous model.

The range also includes the CL600, with its 510HP 12-cylinder biturbo engine and 612 lb-ft. of torque that accelerates the luxury coupé from a standstill to 100km/h (62mph) mph in a 4.5 seconds. Top speed on both models is electronically limited at 250km/h (155mph).

For buyers needing more power, Mercedes will debut the new CL63 AMG and CL65 AMG models later this year.

Among the many tech highlights is a new Active Lane Keeping Assist safety feature that utilizes a camera mounted on the inside of the windshield and a radar system that scans the side of the roadway, to gently apply the brakes when the driver steers away from his lane.

The 2011MY CL-Class will make its market debut in Autumn of 2010.

If Drake, the ur-vampire from Blade Trinity, were a car, this is the car he would be. Starting with a CL600, tuning firm Kicherer didn’t waste time throwing pieces at the car’s already aggressive styling. Instead, Kicherer attacked the CL’s jugular: sloppy performance due to the car’s portliness.

The biturbo V12 gets 53 extra horses to corral 570 in total, torque gets smacked up to 664 lb-ft., the engine gets a new transmission control module to better deal with the extra juice, and out back, the rear axle gets a locking rear differential. The car is lowered an inch, and firmer springs help keep things settled when it’s go time. Will all this turn the car into a cheetah? Probably not, but with the carbon goodies added throughout and the 20-inch Kircherer RS-1 wheels, it will look mighty good doing whatever it does. You can see for yourself in the gallery below.

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