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.

The mildly refreshed Audi Q7 had its world premiere today at the 2009 Shanghai Auto Show in China. For the 2010MY, Audi’s full-size SUV has received a few minor styling tweaks that include a redesigned front grille, bumpers with new underbody protection and new LED daytime running lamps and taillights while the interior has been updated with a restyled instrument cluster and a new, third generation MMI navigation system. Mechanical changes include the introduction of a new energy recovery system that helps reduce fuel consumption. For more details and a high-resolution image gallery of the Q7 facelift, click here.

Three years after its initial launch, Audi is releasing a facelifted version of its full-size SUV that benefits from mild styling tweaks and more fuel efficient powertrains. Starting from exterior, it will take a trained eye to spot the differences that concern the updated large single frame grille sporting vertical chrome bars, the revised front headlights, the LED front blinkers and rear tail lights, the chunkier door moldings and the newly integrated underbody protection plates in the center section of the front and rear bumper.

Same goes for the Q7′s interior that gains a new selection of colors and materials, a chrome surrounding for the instrument cluster and most importantly, a new, third generation MMI navigation system.

Read more »

With an almost invisible change here and there, the Audi A6 joins the Golf and 3-series as the latest barely perceptible facelifts of best-selling German cars. Okay, I know, the Golf shares only roof and glass with its forebear but it hardly moves the game on. For the A6, Audi has merely tweaked the headlamp and front bumper treatments, added a stainless highlight along the side rubbing strips and, on saloons, fitted new LED tail lamps and a new bootlid. It’s the oily bits that have been occupying Ingolstadt minds. A bit.

Read more »