Mercedes Benz has some major changes in store for its product line over the coming years, with several key models receiving facelifts and complete name changes. We have already seen this with the upcoming E-Class Coupe, which will replace the CLK later this year, and soon we will see the CL name phased out with the introduction of a facelifted model next year. The updated car will come in for the 2011 model year and go by the new name of 'S-Class Coupe'.

The current C216 CL was first introduced at the end of 2006 but prototypes for the facelifted version have been spotted testing in Germany as early as August last year. These latest shots depict a prototype for the high-performance AMG model and as such the car features a more aggressive front-end than you would expect to find on the regular models. New details include a more upright grille highlighted with a single chrome bar.

Other changes planned for the car include slightly revised headlights, with the indicators moved to the outer corners, as well as what appears to be a row of LED daytime running lights. While the rear remains unchanged on this particular prototype, previous test vehicles featured what appeared to be LED accented tail-lights and a revised trunk lid.

Mercedes is unlikely to change the CL’s powertrain lineup, which means that the current assortment of V8 and V12 engines should remain. There could, however, be a number of modifications to the exhaust filtering systems to help improve emissions, as well as the introduction of engine stop-start and direct-injection technologies.

 

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