Mercedes-Benz CL-Class

Mercedes-Benz CL-Class

Manufacturer	Mercedes-Benz
Parent company	Daimler AG
Production	1998–present
Assembly	Sindelfingen, Germany
Class	Grand tourer
Body style(s)	2-door coupé
Layout	FR layout

The Mercedes-Benz CL-Class is a full-sized grand tourer produced by the German automaker Mercedes-Benz, which stands for Comfort Leicht in German, or Comfort Light in English.

Originally derived from the SL-Class roadster, it has since been based on the S-Class sedan. Known at first as the SEC and later S coupe, it was spun off into its own line and current name in 1998. The CL continues to follow the same development cycle as the S, though riding on a slightly shorter wheelbase and offering smaller selection of engines, mostly tending towards the high-powered of the range. The main competitors of the CL-Class are the Bentley Continental GT and the Ferrari Scaglietti.

The present generation of the CL-Class, C216, is currently available in four models: CL500 4Matic (CL550 4Matic in America), CL600, CL63 AMG and CL65 AMG. The 2010 price ranges from $110,775 to $207,170. The most powerful model of the CL, the CL65 AMG, is the most expensive Mercedes-branded vehicle (with the exception of the SLR and the S Class Pullman), slightly edging out its equivalent in the S-Class.

W126

The CL-class can most directly trace its roots back to the W126-chassis SEC-class of 1981-1991. The SEC wasn't itself a replacement for the R107 series SLC cars, which were essentially lengthened SL roadsters with a fixed roof and rear seat. The W126 SEC was more directly related to the S-Class sedans. The first generation SEC-Class came in four models: 380 SEC, 420 SEC, 500 SEC and 560 SEC. Like all subsequent models, the rear passenger volume of the SEC coupes was large enough to classify them as 2-door sedans by the SAE.

W140

First generation

Production	1998-2000
Platform	Mercedes-Benz W140
Engine(s)	5.0L 315 hp (235 kW) V8 6.0L 389 hp (290 kW) V12
Transmission(s)	5-speed automatic
Wheelbase	115.9 in (2944 mm)
Length	199.4 in (5065 mm)
Width	75.3 in (1913 mm)
Height	56.9 in (1445 mm)

The next generation was the sleek, redesigned W140-chassis coupe of 1993-1999. Though the coupe’s physical appearance changed little over these years, the class underwent a name change several times. The V8 and V12 coupes were called the 500 SEC and 600 SEC, respectively, in 1993 only. The 600 SEC was the first V12 coupe ever offered by Mercedes-Benz. From 1994-1997, the model names were changed to the S500 coupe and the S600 coupe. The name "CL" was adopted in 1998, and the W140 coupes were called the CL500 and CL600 from 1998-1999.

W215

Second generation

Production	2000-2006
Platform	Mercedes-Benz W215
Engine(s)	5.0L 306 hp (228 kW) V8 5.5L 500 hp (373 kW) V8 5.5L 500 hp (373 kW) V12 5.8L 367 hp (274 kW) V12 6.0L 612 hp (456 kW) V12
Transmission(s)	5-speed automatic 7-speed automatic
Wheelbase	113.6 in (2885 mm)
Length	196.6 in (4994 mm) 2004-06 CL500, CL55 AMG & CL600: 196.4 in (4989 mm)
Width	73.1 in (1857 mm)
Height	2001-03: 56.0 in (1422 mm) 2004-06: 55.4 in (1407 mm) CL65 AMG: 55.0 in (1397 mm)

The third generation of the CL is the W215-chassis coupé of 2000-2006. It is based on the 1999-2004/5 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, though it rides on an 8-inch (203 mm) shorter wheelbase. It is offered as four models: the V8-powered CL500, the supercharged V8-powered CL55 AMG, the V12-powered CL600, a 2001 limited-edition V12-powered CL63 AMG, and the rare bi-turbo V12-powered CL65 AMG. All models seat four.

The W215 production hit 46,800 units worldwide, of which 90% were V8 engines.

The CL coupes come equipped with the very latest in Mercedes-Benz technology, and the CL is always the first model to receive new technological features (it introduced the refined Active Body Control fully-active suspension system and Bi-Xenon HID lights).^{[citation needed]}

The CL-class has a lengthy list of available features. The following features come standard: climate control, ABC (hydraulic) suspension, all-leather interior, wood trim, trip computer, CD, navigation system, front heated seats, power moonroof, as well as power door and trunk closing assist. Optional features include a heated steering wheel and voice-activated telephone, as well as front fan-cooled seats.

The CL63 AMG is the rarest W215 CL of all. It was produced only in November 2001, and just 26 examples were ever built for sale. The V12-powered CL63 AMG was only sold in Europe and Asia. Mercedes-Benz never offered the W215 CL63 for sale; all were sold exclusively through AMG with a base price of £110,000 (~US$200,000).^{[citation needed]}

From 1999 through 2002, the V12-equipped cars feature a cylinder deactivation system called Active Cylinder Control. The feature was dropped when the 500 hp (370 kW) bi-turbo V12 was introduced.

Exclusive “designo” packages are also available. These packages add custom color metallic paint, custom color Nappa leather interior and exotic wood trims. They are available in three variants: designo Cashmere, designo Espresso and designo Silver.

In European markets, there was even an optional granite trim that took the place of wood. This was never available in the United States.

In 2003 the cars were upgraded with a newer electronics package that included a DVD-based navigation system instead of the CD-based COMAND system. Also, the engine options changed. The CL55 AMG became supercharged and the V12 CL600 had turbochargers added. Both cars produced 500 hp (370 kW).

Engines

As with all major German manufacturers (except Porsche) Mercedes electronically limits their cars to 250 km/h (155 mph), except for the AMG models (option).

The justification for having two models with the same power (CL600 and CL55 AMG) is that the CL55 AMG is sportier and more responsive, while the more expensive CL600 is more luxurious with a smoother ride and an exceptional comfort. The CL65 AMG is made to order in very small numbers, and is the most powerful CL to date.

* All are electronically limited

W216

Third generation

Production	2007-present
Platform	Mercedes-Benz W216
Engine(s)	5.5L 382 hp V8 5.5L 510 hp (380 kW) V12
Transmission(s)	5-speed automatic 7-speed automatic
Wheelbase	116.3 in (2954 mm)
Length	199.4 in (5065 mm) AMG: 200.2 in (5085 mm)
Width	73.7 in (1872 mm)
Height	55.8 in (1417 mm)

2008 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG (back)

The new model was officially unveiled at the end of June 2006 and was presented at the 2006 Paris Salon. The W216 is offered in five models, the V8-powered CL500 and CL500 4MATIC, the high-performance V8-powered CL63 AMG and the high-end V12-powered CL600 and CL65AMG . The CL500 4MATIC is sold as the CL550 4MATIC in North America. The class is based on the chassis of the W221 S-Class and shares similar design cues together with the CLS-Class. The two-door coupe weighs 2,045 kg (4,508 lb) and like its predecessors, has no B-pillar interrupting the sleek curve of the side windows. The C216 makes use of the Distronic Plus cruise control, which debuted on the 2007 S-Class. This system is able to bring the car to a complete stop, and accelerate again to the pre-set speed, to keep a pre-set distance away from the car ahead of it. This Mercedes-Benz CL has also debuted with the new Active NightVision program that enables drivers to view the conditions in front of the car despite the dark surroundings. As of the 2009 model year, Mercedes-Benz offers the CL550 in only 4Matic, while the CL600, CL63 AMG, and CL65 AMG are in the standard rear-wheel drive.

In 2007, 40 C216 CL65 AMG units have been sold as '40th Anniversary Edition', to celebrate AMG was founded 40 years earlier. Performancewise, the '40th Anniversary Edition' was a custom CL65 AMG. Changes to the car included an 'ONE OUT OF 40' badge near the COMAND controller, special upholstery and rooflining, and a special 'AMG Alubeam' paintfinish. Apart from the CL65 AMG '40th Anniversary Edition', only a small selection of showcars got an Alubeam finish, a special paint designed to gleam like liquid metal.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Mercedes-Benz CL-Class

• Official Mercedes-Benz Website
• MBWorld.org Discussion Forum W215 CL-CLass
• MBWorld.org Discussion Forum W216 CL-CLass