As I am very disappointed in the CL550 and have heard many compare it to a 26k Toyota Avalon and to be honest it's hard to argue that point from the outside. I went to my local dealer on Sat and tried to see the something good in the new body but just couldn't. The interior is a whole different story but it cant make up for the lack luster and boring body styling. I have seen pictures of the CL63 and even with the wheels and body effects it still leaves many questions in my mind. Why should a car have to be dressed up with effects to still have to grow on you?

As I am 1st on the list at my dealer for the 63 I am really considering passing.

Has anyone seen this car in person?

(Pics bellow tell it all)

 

I've seen it in Paris at the presentation. The AMG version is as impressive as the non-AMG is dull. You have to decide for yourself of course, but I can't help and like the CL63 AMG.

 

This may help.

 

Some more:

 

I think the production model looks mean! I like for sure!

 

I've seen one at the L.A. autoshow and it looks great. Far better than the 550.

 

Yes, 63 does look better than 550. The same as old CL55 looked better than CL500. Is it a different car? No. If you don't like the shape of the 550, do you really think a different bumber and 4 exhausts will win you over? I doubt it....
In my opinion, the car does not look like a Mercedes period. If you removed the badges I didn't know about it, I would've never guessed its a Mercedes.

 

M or AMG treatment makes a huge difference, i don't know why. The M3 is a beautiful car compared o the regular E46. This being said, the M3 had wider track etc so that's probably why.

But as you said, if someone hates the CL shape then the AMG styling may not be enough. For me, it certainly is

 

I saw a 550 w/ the amg body effects package and those killer lorinser turbine wheels on it. it was sort of smoke silver or something. very interesting car to look at from almost every angle except from the rear or rear-quarter views. mainly, the *** has no shoulders, and the taillights are pathetically executed -- the little half-circular reverse lights or whatever they are just look silly and tacked on. not that the rest of the taillamp shape is much better; still, those half-moons "lack seriousness", if that makes any sense in an opinion about the look of a car's rear-end (talk about being hard to take too seriously).

 

I don't like Lorinser but views on the rear are spot on.

 

To illustrate: Lorinser CL from Essen

 

In pictures the CL63 does look better than a CL550 with sport kit.

In person it looks better as well, but not that much better. As a CL fan, it pains me to say, Mercedes dropped the ball on the W216 exterior.

Everyone has their own opinion. Some good, some bad.

You will just need to see it yourself when you can.

 

The CL with sport package is way better looking than one without, and the CL63 and WAY WAY better looking than just a CL550 with a sport package. Can't wait for mine next spring.

 

I have seen CL550 and CL63 AMG. I have seen CL550 on the road as well. I must admit they look much better in real than on pictures. I didnt really like the the new look when I saw pics on the net but I changed my mind when I saw 1 on the road. I also noticed silver looks better on pics but black is nicer in real.

CL550 with sport pack imo looks nicer because of the 5 spoke wheels. I am not a big fan of those SL55 wheels.

 

Same opinion here. I was not interested in the CL550 until I saw a sport package in person , and then I bought it right then and there. Living with the car after a week was even better. The car is so quiet and comfortable. It is the most relaxing car I have ever driven, and I have driven S class, Maybach, Phantom, Bentley, etc.

 

from trip to affalterbach and elsewhere in germany.

the CL550 does nothing for me, but the 63's a winner. it's terrific in person, and the AMG people are fantastic.

 

I feel your concerns, I also am somewhat in the same boat as you, I've been interested in the new AMG CL since I first read of it. The CL63 on paper is exactly what demands the price, a premium coupe with a 7 speed gearbox, 500+ HP, plus every nick nack available to the market. Remeber that when buying a new car, at least a CL, you should always know the car is worth less than you think it is, so as to not go into shock when selling, but also hearing negative talk about the looks of a car a buyer is going to lose thousands on in a short time may give someone a second thought as well. I've seen a CL550 Sport and the added package makes a HUGE difference, (as it usually does with a Benz) but it is still the new CL, I find the looks to be quite florid and flamboyant, but that is what I like about it. The old CL is very classy, but it is very understated, the CL550 Sport looks much more expensive in person than the previous generation. The car is revolution over evolution, that's what people don't like about it, the same went for the 745 at first, but IMO the difference is that the CL is actually an overall "great looking" car, the 7 was not, but people have warmed to it and it sells greatly. My point is basically that the CL63 is a CL, if you hate the looks of a base CL550, don't consider the 63, but if you find it stylish, but could have been styled a bit better, the 63 is that car. All cars from this point have to take in account the new pedestrian law also, so we'll see more of it's effect in the future, i.e. the "bulging" look of the hood, but to me, it would take a lot more than that to ruin the looks of it. You also have to take in account that the subtle AMG details make an impression that is anything but subtle, plus I think the AMG specific head lamps will make a nice impact on the looks too! If you want a car with less complicated looks, then buy an E63, 911, S8 or another more "traditional looking" car, but understand that most bad talk you've heard is mostly from people that are biased current CL owners or MB purists, they may say it looks like an Avalon, but I guess they haven't seen the CL in person, or an Avalon. Besides, anyone driving a Honda will know it is no Avalon and actually very expensive, I'll bet only the MB purists think it looks like an Avalon, but guess what? Those people are the ones that know it isn't an Avalon and know what the car actually is, so I see it as a win win. The only thing that holds me and I'm sure many others, is the value-drop the car will have for the first few years, I think the best bet is to wait and pick one up with a few thousand miles on it. $.02

 

Is that a pic of a pototype?

 

I believe from teh article I got the pic from it was unsure as to this being a 550 with AMG sport package or a real pre-production 63 amg...either way it seems now that it looks closer to the sport package and not the true production 63.

 

The artisitc version of the C216/W221 is the product of a very talented German graphic arts designer. His portfolio is worth a look.

http://cwwcardesign.com/index.html

 

Sorry, , but

He's quite talented, some of his work is the best I think I've seen. Thanks for the link.

I'd buy the Spur if it was this thing.

 

I don't think it looks like an Avalon but it does look like a cross between a Toyota Solara and a Ford Mondeo. I don't think this was an improvement over the 215.

I do think the car would look good if the fender flares were only on the rear. That way they would look wider and more aggressive. With flares on the front back, the car just looks ordinary.

 

You guys are exactly right ! I really don't know how we all missed it for such a long time . Just look at this picture of the Brabus Unimog - notice the flared fender wells, bi-xenon lamps, and the fact that it also has 4 wheels ! I'm willing to bet that if we could see the back of this, the taillights would probably be red !

 

since you brought it up, that unimog really does look better than the new CL...

 

I've seen a CL550 in front of a mall in Tampa and was VERY disappointed. Looked like a mix between the R-class and a Lexus...

It wasn't "ugly" but def. not what you expect when talking about Mercedes' new TOP-COUPE..

The CL63 is a different story though - IMO, an improvement over the old CL...some spoilers and nice wheels DO make a difference..

Just my 2 cents..

BTW, yesterday, I watched a German Auto-Show on DW-TV (international German channel on Dish Network) and they presented the CL63...nice!