2007 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Preview

Written By: MyRide.com
Reprinted under license.

The style of a CLS with two fewer doors

Introduction

Mercedes-Benz CL-Class - Preview: Retro. It's a term used liberally throughout the automotive arena these days, used to describe rides like the Chrysler PT Cruiser, the Chevrolet HHR, and the onslaught of modern-day muscle cars such as the Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Challenger, and Ford Mustang. However, this may be the first occasion where the idea of retro has been tied to Mercedes-Benz. With its thoroughly overhauled and restyled 2007 CL-Class, Mercedes-Benz readies for a battle it has been fighting for more than five decades - to capture the luxury coupe throne. All-new and reinvigorated competition is coming out of the woodwork, wearing badges from BMW, Jaguar, Bentley, and others, and they're all arriving with the expectation of coming out on top. So, it's a showdown of large powerful vehicles, and more importantly, they're coupes - a body style that for years has seen little love in the U.S. market, surviving in small numbers on the fringes. But like the resurgence of muscle cars, models like BMW 6 Series appear to be finding their way back into the hearts and driveways of American buyers. When it arrives this fall, the 2007 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class will take on the best of the rest in either 388-horsepower CL 500 or 517-horsepower CL 600 guise, with a form that closely resembles that of the CLS-Class and S-Class products. Pricing has yet to be released, though we do know that all of the technology and style one expects from Mercedes, including rich interior materials and features such as Pre-Safe braking and a central COMAND control system with navigation, will be available to eager CL-Class shoppers.

Why It Matters

It may be a niche, but all of the key players are determined to succeed in the powerful coupe market. Some of the more interesting entries include the BMW 6 Series, the redesigned Jaguar XK, not to mention familiar models from the likes of Aston Martin and Bentley. If you live in Southern California or a number of other large metropolitan areas, the number of Bentley Continental GTs gives you an idea of the demand for these stand-alone vehicles. With the introduction of the CL-Class, Mercedes-Benz sends a reminder of its presence in the field, one the company has been a part of for more than 50 years, offering a coupe carrying the same svelte, sexy lines of the CLS sedan, and powered by powertrains pumping out between 388 and 517 horsepower. And don't forget the CL 600's 612 lb.-ft. of torque. That, coupled with the luxury and technology one would expect from a Mercedes-Benz product, makes the CL-Class compelling.

What's Under the Hood

Irrespective of whether a CL 500 or CL 600 badge is affixed to the body, the petrol-burning monster under the hood can be considered immensely powerful. The so-called "base" CL 500, weighing in at 4,400 pounds, is home to a 5.5-liter, 32-valve V8 pushing 388 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 391 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,800 rpm. Fuel economy is rated at 19.4 mpg in mixed driving, though that figure likely requires leaving many of those ponies corralled. Mercedes-Benz estimates 0-62 mph in 5.4 seconds with a top speed of 155 mph. Move up to the 4,800-lb. CL 600 and be rewarded with a bi-turbo 5.5-liter, 36-valve V12 cranking out 517 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 612 lb.-ft. of torque from 1,900 to 3,500 rpm. Anyone need a city block moved? A combined fuel economy rating of 16.4 mpg might be difficult to achieve with so much temptation under foot. The all-important 0-62 mph run takes all of 4.6 seconds, suggesting that it won't take long for the CL 600 to reach its electronically-limited top speed of 155 mph. All CL-Class models feature a seven-speed automatic transmission, as well as Mercedes-Benz's Active Body Control suspension, featuring a four-link axle system up front and a multi-link setup on the rear. Vented disc brakes work with ABS and electronic brake assist to slow down the beefy rubber - 235/55R17 on the CL 500 and 255/45R18 (front) and 275/45R18 (rear) on the CL 600.

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