New 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Debuts Two New Active Safety Systems
The Mercedes-Benz CL-Class received a number of significant updates for the 2011 model year, and two additions to the luxurious coupe include a pair of new active safety systems. When the new CL-Class arrives this fall, it will offer the added safety Active Lane Keeping Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist. Neither technology is groundbreaking, but both are new to Mercedes and beyond the new CL-Class should be available on other 2011 Mercedes-Benz cars, crossovers and SUVs.
To help keep the driver in his or her intended lane, the CL's new Active Lane Keeping Assist uses a forwarded mounted camera in the windshield to detect lane markings. If the car detects unintended drifting or lane changing, it will alert the driver by slightly vibrating the steering wheel. These vibrations are meant to mimic rumble strips in the road, and are created using an electric motor. If the driver doesn't correct and the car continues to drift into another the lane, Active Lane Keeping Assist uses the standard Electronic Stability Program (ESP) to apply pressure to the brakes on the opposite side of the car (causing a brake pull away from the drift) to keep the vehicle in its intended lane.
Instead of cameras, the new Active Blind Spot Assist is able to detect traffic in the CL's blind spot using a pair of radars. Whenever a vehicle is detected in the blind spot, a yellow indicator light illuminates in the corresponding door mirror to warn the driver. If the driver activates the turn signal to indicate a lane change, the light will turn red and an audible warning will sound in the car. If, for some reason, the driver manages to ignore all three warnings, the Active Blind Spot Assist system will utilize ESP to apply the brakes similar to the Active Lane Keeping Assist system. This will help prevent the CL from hitting cars in its blind spot or at least reducing the impact of the collision.
In addition to these two new safety features, the CL-Class received quite a few updates for 2011. Having been on the market since 2007, the flagship coupe has been given a revised exterior and a slightly updated interior. Outside, the new face of the 2011 CL features reshaped headlights, a new two-bar grille and new LED daytime running lights to distinguish it from the 2010 model, while the changes to the rear of the car are less noticeable with all-red taillight lenses and a new placement of the back-up lamps. Inside, the only styling update is a new steering wheel design, but the 2011 CL's cabin does get four new wood accents and ambient lighting that can be changed by the driver to be amber, white or ice blue. Check out the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class photo gallery to view images of the 2010 model.
The standard CL will continue to be available as the CL550 4MATIC and the CL60, while the sportier AMG models will be the CL63 AMG and CL65 AMG. Out of these models, the biggest news is the updated engine for the all-wheel drive CL550 4MATIC. This direct-inject and twin-turbocharged 4.6-liter V-8 produces 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque - these are increases of 47 hp and 125 lb-ft of torque compared to the 2010 model. This new engine will power the CL 5504MATIC from zero to 60 miles per hour in just 4.9 seconds (.5 seconds faster than the 2010 model), while the new CL600 can reach the same speed in just 4.5 seconds thanks to its 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V-12 that produces 510 horsepower and 612 lb-ft of torque.
Pricing has yet to be announced for the redesigned 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class or its new safety options, but the updated CL should be priced very similarly to the current model. Visit our research page for pricing and other information on the currently available 2010 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class.