Merc CL gets bigger... And better?
The three-pointed star has unveiled its full-fat, bells-and-whistles 'two-door S-Class' -- the new CL coupeMercedes-Benz has unveiled its latest-generation CL flagship coupe and, in keeping with tradition, the gargantuan two-door has gained both size and a swag of cutting-edge tech features.
Effectively a two-door S-Class (though Benz might argue the point!), the newcomer is 5065mm long, 1871mm wide and 1418mm high. This is 75mm longer, 14mm wider and 20mm higher than before. Mercedes claims the added girth has resulted in more comfort and space for occupants of all four seats. For what it’s worth, boot capacity has also swelled by 40 litres to 490.
The initial model line-up comprises two models -- the V8-powered CL 500 and the twin-turbo V12 CL 600. Both variants gain innovations such as the Active Body Control (ABC) suspension system, Intelligent Light System with five lighting functions and PRE-SAFE anticipatory occupant protection.
Active safety also benefits from PRE-SAFE brakes: a system that automatically brakes the Coupé if onboard sensors determine that you’re likely to end up in the boot compartment of the car in front without intervention.
The 5.5-litre V8 powerplant in the CL 500 delivers 285kW (up 26 per cent over the existing CL 500) and maximum torque of 530Nm (up 15 per cent) from just 2800rpm. Performance is improved accordingly -- the CL 500 accelerates from zero to 100km/h in just 5.4sec (previous model: 6.3).
Further upscale is the brutish CL 600, which thumps out 380kW from its twin-turbo 5.5-litre V12. Maximum torque, on tap from 1900rpm, is a whopping 830Nm. What’s more, this figure remains undiminished up to 3500rpm. Not surprisingly, The CL 600 takes just 4.6sec to bolt to 100km/h (0.2sec quicker than the previous model).
Both CL models come with the COMAND system (Merc’s version of iDrive), which controls the stereo, satnav and phone. Depending on the driver's own preference, these systems can be controlled using switches in the centre console, pressing a button on the multifunction steering wheel or using the COMAND controller on the centre console.
The CL features newly developed ‘integral’ seats that incorporate all components of the seatbelt system into the actual pews; hence the seats form an important component in the occupant protection system, says Mercedes.
Handling dynamics are likely to benefit from the Active Body Control (ABC) suspension system, which is said to eliminate the customary pitch and roll of the body that occur when moving off, cornering and braking. At speeds above 100km/h, ABC lowers the body to reduce drag and improve handling stability.
The Intelligent Light System provides five different lighting functions that are activated to match driving and weather conditions: the new country mode illuminates the left-hand edge of the road more widely and brightly than the existing low-beam headlamps. Motorway mode, which comes on automatically when driving above 90km/h, delivers a uniform cone of light that illuminates the entire road width
We can expect the revamped CL here in the first half of 2007, with pricing likely to start around $300K. Hmmm, is that including metallic paint….
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