Home » Automotive, Featured

The New Mercedes Benz CL Range

2 July 2010 4 Comments

While anyone who knows me, knows how I love the Mercedes AMG division and the vehicles they produce, AMG is not for everyone and some just prefer to cruise in the lap of luxury while enjoying the quality of Mercedes and the CL model.

For decades now, the great coupés from Mercedes-Benz have represented motoring refinement of the highest level. Exceptional design, craftsmanship and pioneering technology flow together, blending into a style-generating unity. The history of the great two-door cars bearing the three-pointed star goes back to the large supercharged cars of the 1920s and ’30s. The new CL-Class generation continues in this great unbroken tradition of automotive masterworks.

With targeted design modifications such as the new, more strongly pointed radiator grille, the new front bumper with integrated LED strips for the daytime running lamps and the standard bi-xenon headlamps, the Mercedes developers cultivated the poise and dynamism expressed in the design language of the two-door car in a contemporary manner. The high technological level exemplified by Active Body Control (ABC) with crosswind stabilisation sets new standards in driving dynamics and comfort. And with safety systems such as the ATTENTION ASSIST weariness recognition system, active Blind Spot Assist, active Lane Keeping assist, Adaptive Highbeam Assist and automatic PRE-SAFE full brake application, the CL-Class takes pole position in the luxury coupé class.

This is also true of the engine line-up: the entirely re-developed V8 BiTurbo engine with a displacement of 4.6l, 435 hp output, a torque of 700 Newton-metres and spray-guided direct petrol injection in the CL 500 Blue EFFICIENCY achieves top marks in its class in terms of efficiency, with a consumption of 29.73 mpg on the combined cycle. This means fuel savings of up to 23 percent over the predecessor model.

CO2 emissions drop from 288 to 224 grams per km. At the same time, output climbs by 47 hp compared with the 5.5l naturally aspirated engine in the preceding model.

The special order CL 600 is the renowned summit of the drive units, with its 517 hp V12 5.5l BiTurbo engine developing a torque of 830 Nm.

The high-value appointments and equipment of the luxury coupé obey the highest standards of exclusivity and individuality. An extract from the list of the car’s standard equipment: Active Body Control with crosswind stabilization, Adaptive driver and front-passenger airbags, Adaptive Highbeam Assist, Adaptive brake lights, Anti-lock braking system (ABS), ATTENTION ASSIST, 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission (CL 500 Blue EFFICIENCY), Automatic steering wheel adjustment for entry and exit, Bluetooth, SD, USB, AUX-IN audio and video interface, Brake Assist (BAS), ADAPTIVE BRAKE, AMG Sports Package, COMAND system with CD/DVD player, SD card slot, USB interface and Gracenote data base, DIRECT SELECT gearshift, Direct-Steer system, ECOstart/stop function (CL 500 Blue EFFICIENCY), ESP with acceleration skid control (ASR), Headlamp assist, Electric parking brake, Belt tensioners on all seats, Intelligent Light System with country light, motorway mode, extended fog light function, active light function and cornering light function, Leather upholstery, 18-inch light-alloy wheels, Memory package for seats, steering wheel and exterior mirrors, Metallic paintwork, Nappa leather multifunction steering wheel, PARKTRONIC with Parking Guidance, PRE-SAFE, Rain sensor with two sensitivity levels, Tyre pressure loss warning system, Tilting/sliding glass sunroof, electric, with PRE-SAFE function, Door power closing, Front and rear seatbelts with automatic comfort-fit feature, Sidebags front and rear, Heated front seats, LED daytime running lamps integrated in bumper, Telephone keypad, Cruise control, Doorhold, Four-zone automatic climate control, Front seats with electric fore/aft and height adjustment with lumbar support and PRE-SAFE positioning function, Tinted, sound-insulating, infrared-reflecting laminated glass all round & Windowbags

Equipment Packages: Substantial Benefits & Perfect Combinations

To enable drivers to benefit to the greatest extent from the advanced assistance systems and comfort elements, Mercedes-Benz offers certain innovations as packages upon request. This guarantees that the systems complement each other perfectly.

In the Driving Assistance package PLUS Mercedes-Benz mainly combines systems that can actively help to prevent rear-end collisions: the radar-based proximity cruise control system DISTRONIC PLUS, Brake Assist PLUS and the PRE-SAFE Brake. This equipment package also includes Active Lane Keeping Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist.

An exclusive audio experience and optimum video entertainment for the front passenger is provided by the Front Seat Entertainment package. It includes the SPLITVIEW display, the 6-disc DVD changer and the Harman Kardon Discrete Logic 7 surround sound system with headphones and remote control (standard for CL 600).

The V12 Mercedes Benz CL600

Mercedes-Benz stylishly underlines the exceptional status of the twelve-cylinder CL 600 with numerous distinguishing features in the exterior and interior. In addition to the model-specific radiator grille with two twin louvres, these include the V12 emblem on the flanks, model-specific, five-spoke 18-inch light-alloy wheels in a bi-colour look and a large range of standard option packages. Standard ex-factory specifications include: Navigation package, Front Seat Entertainment package, Reversing camera, KEYLESS-GO, Convenience telephony and Anti-Theft Protection package

The front active multicontour seats and the rear seats are upholstered with particularly supple “PASSION” leather, decorated with a special V12 fluting pattern, as is the Alcantara roof liner. Among other things, the upper and lower sections of the dashboard, the door centre panels, rear shelf and ruffled pockets on driver and front passenger backrest are covered in this high-quality leather. Apart from the roof liner, the interior trim of the A, B and C pillars is also clothed in Alcantara leather. Luxury head restraints at front and rear bearing the V12 emblem also enhance travelling enjoyment. The V12 symbol on the backrests makes reference to the exclusive character of the vehicle. On entry, the V12 emblem lights up in the instrument cluster. Trim elements in fine high-gloss brown poplar wood, chrome-plated door sills and boot sill, together with the standard ambient lighting, round off the serene character of the Mercedes-Benz CL 600.

Designo and Designo Selection: Individual & Exclusive

For further individualisation, customers can now also choose from a restructured range of designo features for the CL-Class, which further underscore the exclusive hand-finish character of the luxury model. Ten different designo paint finishes can be combined with ten designo aniline leather interiors and four natural leather interiors – with practically no limitations on personal taste. For designo wood trim, customers have a choice between natural-grain maple and natural-grain matt oak. Trim in black piano lacquer and champagne white piano lacquer can also be ordered.

Two kinds of fine authentic granite trim are available for the CL-Class: Labrador blue pearl and Star Galaxy black. These trim elements are made by cutting 0.6 to 0.8 mm thin stone wafers which are then coated with an adhesive layer to ensure that every grain remains exactly where it is. These thin plates are then ground between two rollers. The result is a visually undisturbed, extremely thin stone sheet, pliable thanks to the adhesive layer applied, which enables it to be moulded around narrow edges, too.

With designo Selection, Mercedes-Benz is offering a special, high-end package of designo features for the CL-Class. Customers can configure their car according to their personal preferences and taste from the different designo aniline leather upholstery, wood trim elements and paint work available. The highlight is designo lettering in solid 18-carat gold on the rear air conditioning unit cover. This is exclusive to the designo Selection. The designo wood/leather steering wheel and the designo roof liner in black nappa leather or Alcantara in cashmere beige, anthracite or alpaca grey round off the refined atmosphere of the car’s interior.

AMG Sports Package: CL-Class With A Striking Sporty Character

The AMG Sports package with AMG bodystyling and AMG light-alloy wheels gives the luxurious two-door car an even more dynamic look. At the front the newly-designed front apron ensures an imposing, muscular appearance. Its distinguishing feature is a tapered air intake with a wider lower edge. The side skirts continue the design of the front bumper, with striking contours that find an echo in the rear apron. The independent rear bumper with a black insert is the perfect finishing touch.

Further highlights include the 19-inch AMG 5-spoke light-alloy wheels painted in sterling silver. With their broad format 255/40 (front) and 275/40 (rear), not only do they fill the wheel houses perfectly, lending the CL-Class an exceptionally dynamic presence, but also enhance its handling characteristics even more. In addition, silver-colour painted brake callipers with Mercedes-Benz lettering on the front axle wheels emphasise its sporty appearance. The CL 500 Blue EFFICIENCY with AMG Sports package is fitted with 255/40 R 19 tyres on both front and rear axles. Optionally, 20-inch AMG light-alloy wheels in twin-spoke design with tyre sizes 255/35 and 275/35 are also available.

Wood trim and the wood/leather steering wheel in black ash give the high-quality vehicle interior a very special feel. The standard AMG Sports package also includes sports pedals in brushed stainless steel with black rubber studs and velour floor mats with AMG lettering.

http://www.mercedes-benz.co.za/
http://www.mercedes-benz.com/

4 Comments »

  • Rethavs said:

    It’s almost too much to bear! I love the way Mercedes vehicles drive, feel to the touch and of course their looks! Then we still have to get to all the techie-talk about mechanical extremes, safety, efficiency and advanced driving-assist features…

    All-in-all just too much to take in at first! Even with a lowly C-class model I still find unexplored or unnoticed features and design elements on my car regularly! While I cannot imagine driving one of these CLs on a daily basis (oooh, imagine the headlines: “mad Merc driver assaults shopping trolley maniac in parking lot!), I recognize the pure beauty, strength and mechanical features as superior and oh so classy!

    Thank you for an amazing article putting all this together!

  • Twisted Admin (author) said:

    No Such thing as a lowly C Class.

    Mercedes is a brand about quality and as the saying goes. The Best Or Nothing. Be proud to own a piece of that quality whether it be a C Class or an SLK. It’s always good to dream and to aspire to new levels.

    I am looking forward to the release of the new CL Class. I hope you have a great day.

  • Brian said:

    This car is true opulence. such a pity its out of my league. I love Benz and the brand its such great cars but this new CL is amazing. nice post

  • Rethavs said:

    Of course I’m proud of what I own! :-) it was a tongue-in-cheek reference to how superior the CL seems after reading your brilliant article!! I thought long and hard about which model to get, and I’m overjoyed at how well it suits me, my driving style and lifestyle. I look after my cars, hence my reluctance to park in many places I go… With a CL I will probably feel even more protective, and that cannot be healthy! :-)
    The best or nothing! :-)

Leave your response!

Add your comment below, or trackback from your own site. You can also subscribe to these comments via RSS.

Be nice. Keep it clean. Stay on topic. No spam.

You can use these tags:
<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>

This is a Gravatar-enabled weblog. To get your own globally-recognized-avatar, please register at Gravatar.