In the model year following an overhaul of the front end, engine and optional convenience equipment, the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class rolls out for 2012 unchanged.

Four trims are available for the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class for 2012: the CL550 4MATIC, CL600, CL63 AMG and CL65 AMG. Each trim has its own powertrain. The 4-wheel-drive (4WD) CL550 4MATIC has a 429-hp 4.6-liter, twin-turbo, direct injection, 36-valve, DOHC, SEFI V12 engine that makes 516 lb-ft of torque and is paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission. The rear-wheel-drive (RWD) CL600 comes standard with a 510-hp 5.5-liter, 32-valve, DOHC, turbocharged SEFI V8 engine matched with a 5-speed automatic transmission and reaches 612 lb-ft of torque. The CL550 4MATIC is estimated by the EPA to get 15 mpg city/23 highway, while the CL600 gets 12/18.

For the AMG trims, the RWD CL63 AMG also gets a with a 7-speed manual transmission matched up with a 536-hp AMG 5.5-liter, bi-turbo 32-valve, SOHC, SEFI V8 engine that maxes out at 590 lb-ft of torque, while the RWD CL65 AMG gets a 621-hp 6.0-liter, bi-turbo 36-valve, SOHC, SEFI V12 engine that is paired with an AMG-tuned 5-speed automatic transmission and makes 738 lb-ft of torque. The CL63 AMG averages 15/21, and the CL65 AMG is estimated at 12/18.

The CL550 4MATIC comes standard with power glass tilt-and-slide sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, cruise control, power windows, power door locks, power steering, tilt-and-telescopic steering column, leather steering wheel with mounted audio and cruise controls and paddle shifters, genuine wood trim, leather seats, front dual reclining heated and cooled bucket seats with power-adjustable lumbar support, headrests, and 3-position power memory, rear power window sunshade, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, power adjustable heated exterior mirrors, GPS and hard drive navigation aid with real-time traffic, 8-inch screen, voice activation and Zagat Survey Restaurant Guide, 600-watt 11-speaker Harman Kardon sound system with HD/AM/FM radio, Logic7 surround sound, 6-CD changer, MP3 player, and Sirius XM satellite radio, Mercedes-Benz mbrace with safety & security, navigation, and destination planning & convenience services, rear window defogger, intermittent rain-sensing wipers, HID xenon headlights, and 18-inch 5-spoke aluminum alloy wheels with all-season tires. Standard equipment for the other trims is virtually the same as the CL550 4MATIC, except that the CL600 gets 19-inch multispoke aluminum alloy wheels with all-season tires, and the AMG trims get 20-inch 5-spoke forged aluminum alloy wheels with performance tires.

Numerous packages are available for all 2012 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class trims. These include the Premium 1 Package, which adds heated and ventilated front seats and Keyless-Go SmartKey technology; the Premium 2 Package, which adds a rear-view camera and active multicontour front seats with massage; the Driver Assistance Package, which includes active blind-spot assist and lane-keeping assist; as well as two Sport packages that upgrade the size of the wheels and style of tires.

Adaptive driver and passenger airbags with dual-stage deployment, front side airbags, front and rear side curtain airbags and a driver’s knee airbag are all standard for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class. Additional standard safety and security features include side guard door beams, crumple zones, tire pressure-monitoring system, rear fog lights, 4-wheel antilock disc brakes with electronic brake assist and an antitheft alarm system with engine immobilizer and panic button alarm.

Competing against the likes of the Aston Martin DB9, Bentley Continental GT and Maserati GranTurismo, the Mercedes CL-Class finds itself in some heady company in the high-end luxury coupe class. And, in the case of the CL65 AMG, that also includes a steep price tag. However, as the most powerful vehicles that Mercedes-Benz offers, fans of the brand will be rewarded with all of the power, handling and styling they desire from the German automaker.