2007 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class: First Look

Motoring Channel Staff - 27/June/2006

London, England — Mercedes-Benz has chosen the London Motor Show (20th to the 30th July) to unveil its new super luxury coupe, the CL-Class, which is bigger than the car it replaces, shows off a dynamically sleek new look and offers two incredibly powerful engines, a naturally aspirated V8 and twin turbo V12.

It's crammed full of automated systems and luxury appointments that rival the world's best and is aimed at prestige buyers who want understated looks but the ultimate in luxury and performance, two models will be offered initially -- the CL 500 (V8) and CL 600 (V12). It's true that both models are bristling with gadgets and high technology, making them easier, safer but perhaps less involving to drive. But before we get to the practical features list, let's take a look at how the new CL-Class performs.

The pair of luxury coupés benefit from the most powerful engines to date in the range, with the entry-level model packing an 8-cylinder engine that displaces 5.5-litres or 5461cc. This 4-valve V8 makes 285kW (388hp) @ 6000rpm, and features variably adjustable shifting camshafts, a two-stage intake module and tumble flaps in the intake ducts, making the new V8 is among the most advanced and powerful engines in its displacement class.

Peak torque of 530Nm arrives @ 2800rpm and is sustained until 4800rpm. With so much torque on offer across a wide spread of engine speeds, it's no wonder the new model bests its predecessors 0-100km/h times by almost a whole second, achieving the sprint in just 5.4 seconds (compared to the outgoing model's 6.3 seconds), which is quite special when the car weight just under two tonnes (1995kg).

With a large 90 litre fuel tank, the CL 500 is capable of long-distance touring, and delivers combined city/highway fuel efficiency figures of 12.1L/100km. The car's top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h and the standard transmission for the V8-powered CL 500 is a 7-speed automatic gearbox.

If a hard-charging V8 coupé isn't quite loud enough, there's always the option of the bruiser model; the daunting biturbo V12 model, simply called the CL 600.

This car features an ultra-modern turbocharged 12-cylinder engine under the bonnet, generating enough juice to supply a small Danish village with all its power requirements. And though the biturbo V12 engine has been used in other Mercedes applications over the years, the German marque has set its engineers loose on the 5.5-litre engine, revealing that some areas of the power unit have been modified - meaning that, compared to the previous model, power output has increased by 12kW (17hp) to a whopping 380kW (517hp) @ 5000rpm.

This turbocharged 3-valve V12 engine is a real colossus, using it's almost 400kW of power to charge from 0-100km/h in almost super car times: 4.6 seconds. This is quicker than the model it replaces, which took 4.8 seconds to reach the same speed, and though it generates more power and torque, it's not quite as thirsty as its precursor, burning 0.4 litres less gasoline than the previous CL 600 per 100 kilometres (14.3L/100km).

If you like the feeling of torque pushing you into your seat, than the CL 600 will be high on your list, producing a maximum torque of 830Nm @ 1900rpm, which is sustained until 3500rpm, providing for a very flat torque curve. Because of the CL 600's ungodly levels of torque, the 7-speed auto was out of the question, so the tried-and-tested 5-speed automatic is employed to transfer the thunderous amount of torque to the rear wheels.

830Nm is enough torque to overpower the car's traction control system should you want to show other road users how to lay a couple of straps. The new CL 600 is a true behemoth, capable of transporting its passengers is supreme style, and at gob smacking speeds. Oddly, drivers will change gears via shifter mounted on the steering column, as opposed to a shifter mounted between the front passengers on the transmission tunnel.

While both models posses hugely powerful engines and are capable of outrunning many dedicated sports cars, the CL-Class is more about luxury and opulence than outright performance, and this is evidenced in many areas, one of which is the choice of tyres. Where many core performance vehicles are shod with low profile rubber to reduce tyre wall flex and increase cornering grip, the CL 500 is fitted with 235/55 R17 rubber at all four corners, where the tall 55 profile side walls are tailored for a smooth, pliant ride. Even the super-powerful CL 600 gets tall-ish 45 ratio sidewalls, featuring 255/45 R18s fore and 275/45 R18s aft.

To call the luxury features list for the new CL-Class comprehensive would be an injustice. Here's a quick list of what buyers can expect when the vehicle launches in Europe in the third quarter, and in Australia in 2007:

Active Body Control: Active suspension delivers superb comfort
Motorway Mode: From a speed of 90km/h, the CL-Class can illuminate the width of road to a greater level, increasing vision by around 50m at night
Active Light Function: Lights swivel to better light up corners and intersections at night
ESP: Electronic stability program reduces the risk of losing traction in corners
Adaptive Brakes: Mercedes says this system provides driver assistance to make hill-starts and driving in heavy traffic easier
E-Brake: Instead of a lever, the electronic handbrake is push-button operated

The Active Body Control (ABC) suspension system deserves an explanation, as it ensures occupants will rarely be buffeted about, whatever the road quality. Mercedes explains that the system uses sensor signals and specially designed hydraulic cylinders at the front and rear axles that essentially eliminate the customary pitch and roll of the body that occur when moving off, cornering and braking. It adds that the ABC system responds with split-second speed to ensure the body damping is adjusted instantly to any situation, and at speeds above 60km/h, ABC lowers the body by up to ten millimetres to reduce drag, fuel consumption and improve handling stability. While these systems are standard across the range, the more expensive CL 600 gets a few more options, a good proportion of which focus on the seats:

COMAND APS: This is a navigation system stored on a hard drive, rather than a DVD drive, making it faster to boot and calculate routes
Keyless-Go: Doors and boot can be opened without using a key
Linguatronic: Telephone, radio and navigation systems are voice activated
Multicontour Seat: Air pillows in the seat cushions allow the driver to adjust the seats contours to suit
Dynamic Seat: The seats also have piezo-electric valves that ensure the seat responds to various steering inputs, adding more lateral support
Seat Ventilation: As the name suggests, six mini fans in the seat cushions and back rest provide occupants with perfect heating and cooling
Massage Function: Several air chambers in the seat backrests are filled and drained to massage back muscles
Sound System: Mercedes explains that the high-end digital stereo has enough speakers to provide surround sound on every seat

And if that's not enough, there's optional extras for both models, such as a digital television system, a reverse parking camera, parking assist and guidance systems, even infrared night vision. There's also a range of driving aids including the Distronic Plus system, which adds features like radar-based proximity cruise control. With Distronic Plus, other options can be added, such as Brake Assist Plus and Pre-Safe brakes, which use the radar sensors to ready the brakes if it detects a rapid approach to the car in front, and the .

Mercedes says that the new Pre-Safe brakes also utilise state-of-the-art radar technology to scan the situation in front of the car and detect a potential accident. Two short-range radar sensors with a range of 30 metres and a scanning angle of 80° are located behind the front fascia on the CL-Class, while an additional long-range radar in the radiator grille has a range of 150 metres, ensuring that even if your eye isn't on the road, the cars' are.

Inside the new CL-Class, Mercedes points out that the large side window aperture draws the eye to the stylish dashboard, finished with exquisite wood trim and soft leather upholstery. It says the atmosphere is reminiscent of an exclusive club, as standard features such as automatic climate control, COMAND with car radio and CD/DVD player as well as a glass sunroof come together to deliver a unique motoring experience.

Compared with the outgoing model, the new Mercedes-Benz top-of-the-range coupé has grown slightly in every dimension. 5065 millimetres long, 1871 millimetres wide and 1418 millimetres high, the body is 75 millimetres longer, 14 millimetres wider and 20 millimetres higher than before, providing even more comfort and space on all four seats, while the boot capacity has been increased by 40 litres to 490 litres. Mercedes has also included the COMAND system first seen in the new S-Class range, which can be likened to BMW's iDrive and Audi's MMI systems, where all functions, like the radio, heater, TV and navigation, are operated by simplified input system -- Mercedes describes it as fewer switches for more functions.

Mercedes claims that it's large coupés have been synonymous with style and exclusivity in the automotive industry for decades, where the new CL-Class takes many Mercedes-Benz design elements and alters them slightly, creating what you see here - a sleek coupé with stylings that mirror those of the S-Class, but exhibits them with more panache. The German automaker says that familiar features have been given a contemporary twist, resulting in a harmonious blend of the classic and contemporary: the hallmark Benz radiator grille with its wide chrome louvres are largely unchanged, as is the design of the C-pillar, which Mercedes says is a typical feature of the large Mercedes coupés whose roots go right back to the 1950s: in 1956 the 220 S/SE Coupé (W 180/W 128 model series) first captured attention with this striking C-pillar design.

There is no B-pillar, adding to the coupés authenticity, but plenty of generous curves, from nose to tail. The strong character line that begins just behind the blistered front wheel arch curves gently towards the rear of the car and gives away the CL-Class's sporting intent. The boot section looks much better than the S-Class, and the new look brake lights and exhaust pipes integrate seamlessly, while up front new look dual-projector headlamps sit beneath smoked lenses, adding a contemporary touch to the car's face.

The new CL-Class is the kind of vehicle that oozes style, with more luxury features and automated functions than almost any other car on the planet; if it could be automated, Mercedes has done it. From the outside it's a large car, but not an ungainly one, while the automatically unlocking doors and voice-operated stereo and navigation functions will be more than enough to impress the CEO. Not ready to be overshadowed by Bentley, BMW and Aston Martin, the new CL-Class is up there with the World's most opulent coupés.