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Price |
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Production |
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Engine |
4.6
liter V8 & 5.5 liter V12 |
Weight |
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Aspiration |
twin
turbochargers |
Torque |
516
& 612 lb-ft |
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HP |
435
hp & 517 hp |
HP/Weight |
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HP/Liter |
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1/4 mile |
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0-62 mph |
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Top Speed |
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(from Mercedes-Benz
Press Release) The new generation Mercedes-Benz CL-Class: The
epitome of luxury coupés
With a design perfected
through an immaculate sense of style, highly exclusive appointments
and cutting-edge technology, the extensively updated Mercedes-Benz
CL-Class underscores its claim to supremacy as the summit of
automotive refinement. The entirely re-designed 320 kW (435 hp) V8
biturbo engine of the CL 500 BlueEFFICIENCY, with a combined
consumption of 9.5 litres premium-grade petrol per 100 km, opens a
new dimension of efficiency in the luxury coupé category. Its NEDC
figures show savings of up to 23 percent over its predecessor model,
CO2 emissions having dropped from 288 grams per kilometre to 224
grams per kilometre. This significant reduction is achieved thanks
to the newly-developed BlueDIRECT technology with third-generation
spray-guided direct injection, with the contribution of the
specially-designed BlueEFFICIENCY package of the CL 500
BlueEFFICIENCY. The package includes, among other things,
energy-efficient control of alternator, fuel pump, air-conditioning
compressor and power-assisted steering system, as well as the ECO
start/stop function. It also features the use of low rolling
resistance tyres and the energy-optimised Active Body Control
system. In addition, the Mercedes-Benz developers equipped the
CL-Class with state-of-the-art multimedia technology, thus helping
this model, produced with a high proportion of hand-finished work,
to retain its position as the epitome of quality in its class.
With the new generation
of the CL-Class, the Stuttgart-based automaker focuses on fuel
consumption and exhaust gas emissions in the exclusive high-end
segment, too. According to Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board
of Management of Daimler AG: “The CL is the ideal ambassador for our
brand. It combines in a particular degree those things that
characterise Mercedes-Benz: fascination, perfection and
responsibility. And with the new generation we have gone a step
further, too – especially in the realm of efficiency. But in terms
of design, safety, comfort and output, too – the CL shows the way
forward: simply follow Mercedes”
In addition, a
combination of cutting-edge camera and radar-based assistance
systems unique in the luxury coupé segment, including the innovation
of the Active Lane Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist systems,
makes of the CL-Class a "thinking" partner of the driver. The
modified Active Body Control (ABC) with crosswind stabilisation
system and the Direct-Steer system also contribute to enhancing
safety and driving enjoyment.
Design: a muscular, self-assured
presence
The exterior appearance
of the new CL-Class generation is characterised by the terse profile
of the bonnet, the dynamic V-shape radiator grille and the curving
headlamps – design details that discreetly but effectively emphasise
the car's elegant yet powerful lines.
The front bumper, too,
presents a new design with three air intake openings and a chrome
trim strip. An LED strip with chrome surround for the daytime
running lights is elegantly integrated in the side openings for the
brake cooling air. With their standard-fit Intelligent Light System
(ILS) and Adaptive Highbeam Assist, the headlamps offer
state-of-the-art illumination technology. The latest LED technology
in the turn indicators and position marker lamps rounds off the
car's advanced image. The rear of the vehicle is characterised by
the newly-designed tail lamps.
New V8 bi-turbo engine with
innovative technology
The new-generation
CL-Class also assumes a pioneering role in the drive system sector.
Under the bonnet of the CL 500 BlueEFFICIENCY and CL 500 4MATIC
BlueEFFICIENCY a new V8 biturbo engine with BlueDIRECT technology
delivers its impressive power. With its 4663 cc displacement, the
eight-cylinder engine produces 320 kW (435 hp) so that despite 0.8
litres less displacement, it is still around 12 percent more
powerful than its predecessor, which had an output of 285 kW (388
hp). At the same time, torque was raised from 530 Nm to 700 Nm – an
increase of 32 percent. Combined consumption in the New European
Driving Cycle (NEDC), on the other hand, drops by 23 percent to 9.5
litres of premium petrol per 100 kilometres for the rear-wheel drive
version. CO2 emissions consequently sink from 288 grams per
kilometre to 224 grams per kilometre. The CL 500 BlueEFFICIENCY
requires a mere 4.9 seconds to accelerate from a standstill to 100
km/h (previous model: 5.4 seconds). Summing up: the CL 500
BlueEFFICIENCY is significantly more agile, torquey and thriftier
than its predecessor.
The BlueDIRECT
technology package of the V8 biturbo includes a series of new
developments, unique in their combination. Worthy of mention among
these is the third-generation spray-guided direct petrol injection
with piezo injectors and multi-spark ignition with up to four
ignition sparks within a millisecond. Together both enable an
innovative combustion process called "homogenous split". Other
factors contributing to the exemplary low fuel consumption continue
to be the consistent use of friction-optimised pistons, piston rings
and cylinder barrels, the on-demand control of oil pump and the new
three-phase thermal management in the coolant circuit. The luxury
coupé's package includes the ECO start/stop function and alternator
control in accordance with the handling situation and on-board
voltage with kinetic energy recuperation in overrun mode.
The CL 600, with its 380
kW (517 hp) 12-cylinder biturbo engine remains the top-of-the-line
model: it accelerates the luxury coupé from a standstill to 100 km/h
in breath-taking 4.6 seconds and now also complies with the Euro 5
emissions control standard.
A unique combination of
driver-assistance systems
The new-generation
CL-Class consolidates its position as an automotive masterwork and a
technology platform of the Stuttgart-based company with the most
advanced assistance and protection systems. These highly perceptive
assistants convert the Mercedes model into a "thinking" partner that
can see, feel and react instantly if it detects a hazard, acting
autonomously to prevent accidents or to mitigate their effects. The
trailblazing driver assistance systems in the CL-Class are based on
state-of-the-art radar, camera and sensor technology.
Thus, in the
new-generation CL-Class Active Lane Keeping Assist celebrates its
premiere (at the same time as in the S-Class). If the vehicle
threatens to cross a continuous lane marking line, the system
actuates an electric motor in the steering wheel, causing it to
vibrate briefly – giving the driver a discreet but effective warning
hint to countersteer immediately. The active system springs into
action if the Mercedes coupé unintentionally crosses a continuous
lane marking line to the right or to the left. In this case, it
intervenes by gently braking the wheels of the opposite side of the
car, helping the driver to stay in the lane. In order to do this
Active Lane Keeping Assist avails itself of the ESP® Electronic
Stability Program.
Active Lane-Keeping
Assist evaluates information provided by a camera mounted on the
inside of the windscreen. It identifies the contrast between the
road surface and the lane marking lines. In addition to this, using
radar the system scans the side of the roadway for crash barriers
and other roadway edge markings. This Mercedes assistance system
also evaluates the driver's actions and can thus reliably determine
whether the car is departing from the lane intentionally or not. For
this reason, there is no warning if the driver accelerates hard just
before overtaking or when accessing a motorway, or if he brakes hard
or steers into a curve.
Targeted brake actuation: active
Blind Spot Assist
A further innovation
Mercedes-Benz offers for the CL-Class is active Blind Spot Assist, a
system that makes use of a multi-stage warning concept. If it
detects that a change of lane would be too dangerous, it warns the
driver by displaying a red triangle in the glass of the exterior
mirror. Close-range radar sensors monitor the area immediately to
the side and to the rear of the car. If the driver disregards this
warning and, for example, actuates the turn indicator, an audible
warning also sounds. If the driver continues to ignore the warnings
and comes dangerously close to a vehicle in the neighbouring lane, a
novel feature of the system acts: a corrective braking intervention
via ESP® on the wheels of the opposite side of the vehicle. This
causes a yaw movement about the car's vertical axis due to the
unequal distribution of the braking forces. If despite this course
correction an accident cannot be avoided, the active Blind Spot
Assist system can reduce the consequences of a collision through the
brake actuation.
Assistants to see and be seen
better
Adaptive Main Beam
Assist is another standard-fit system featured by the CL-Class. This
camera-based system can recognise oncoming vehicles or vehicles
ahead with their lights on, and then controls the headlamps to
ensure the best possible beam range without dazzling other road
users. In addition, Mercedes-Benz offers the Night View Assist PLUS
system for the CL-Class, featuring a special infra-red camera for
pedestrian detection: as soon as the system detects pedestrians on
the road ahead, these are highlighted additionally in the display,
in order to catch the driver's attention better.
The images supplied by
the windscreen camera are also used by the new, optional Speed Limit
Assist, which recognises speed limit signs in passing and shows the
relevant speed limit in the central display and on the navigation
system's map display (standard for CL 600).
For the new-generation CL-Class, Mercedes-Benz has also improved the
long and medium-range radar used by Brake Assist (BAS PLUS) and
DISTRONIC PLUS proximity cruise control.
An "electronic crumple zone": the
PRE-SAFE® Brake
Mercedes-Benz also
offers another radar based system for the luxury coupé as a
component of the driver assistance package PLUS in the form of the
PRE-SAFE® Brake. If the driver is distracted and fails to recognise
the imminent danger of a rear-end collision or the warning signal of
an assistance system, this system can intervene and brake the
vehicle independently. If the driver fails to react even after
automatic, partial braking action, this most recent development
stage of the PRE-SAFE® Brake activates the maximum braking pressure
around 0.6 seconds before what it now recognises as an unavoidable
collision - an emergency braking action that can significantly
mitigate the severity of the impact. The PRE-SAFE® Brake thus acts
as a kind of "electronic crumple zone".
Warns driver of overtiredness:
ATTENTION ASSIST
Overtiredness is one of
the most common causes of accidents. This is why Mercedes experts
have developed the ATTENTION ASSIST system which forms part of the
standard equipment of the new generation CL-Class. As the vehicle is
being driven, the system continuously evaluates more than 70
different parameters in order to identify driver drowsiness and
provide a warning before the dangerous microsleep phase begins.
Observing the driver’s steering behaviour has proved to be a
particularly strong indicator: several years of practical research
by Mercedes-Benz have shown that drowsy drivers make minor steering
errors which they often correct very rapidly in a characteristic
way. This steering behaviour is recognised by a special steering
angle sensor. Observing the driver's eyes cannot always provide
conclusive evidence of sleep since many drivers can experience
micro-sleep with their eyes open.
Active Body Control reduces the
effect of a crosswind
The CL-Class also meets
the highest standards in terms of driving dynamics and agility. This
is in part thanks to Direct-Steer, with a steering ratio that varies
with the steering angle, and modified Active Body Control (ABC) with
crosswind stabilisation (standard for CL 500 BlueEFFICIENCY and CL
600). This latest stage in active body development modifies the
wheel load distribution via the ABC spring struts within
milliseconds, depending on crosswind direction and intensity, to the
extent that it can largely compensate the effects of the crosswind.
The Active Body Control
suspension system with which Mercedes-Benz ushered in new dimensions
of driving dynamics in the preceding C 215 model series in 1999, is
unique worldwide as it not only regulates roll, but pitching and
squatting movements as well, ensuring a perfect harmony of comfort
and handling stability. Since the introduction of this innovative
system, engineers in Sindelfingen have continuously improved on it,
so that eleven years later it still marks the summit of automotive
engineering. In addition to crosswind stabilisation, the new
suspension features an energy-optimised hydraulic pump that takes
part of the burden off the engine, contributing towards reducing
fuel consumption.
Additional safety and
agility at the physical limits is provided by the standard-fit
Torque Vectoring Brake in the new-generation CL-Class – targeted,
one-sided braking intervention at the inside rear wheel when
cornering. This enables the luxury coupé to turn into the bend under
precise control with even greater agility.
On-board infotainment: the most
advanced multimedia technology
In line with its serene
character and claim to be a technological masterwork, the CL-Class
also sets standards where onboard infotainment is concerned. Thus,
the Stuttgart automotive manufacturer equips its flagship model with
the new SPLITVIEW technology for the COMAND control and display
system centrally located in the centre console (standard for the CL
600 in conjunction with Front Seat Entertainment package). This
innovative display concept allows the driver and front passenger to
view different contents simultaneously on one and the same screen.
While the driver e.g. uses the map-based navigation system, the
front passenger can be watching a film on DVD.
The standard COMAND
control and display system with Bluetooth®, USB and SD card
interfaces offers customers the possibility of exporting their
stored data to other vehicles and multimedia devices. It is also
possible to transfer and update navigation data. In the glove
compartment Mercedes-Benz integrates as optional equipment the Media
Interface – an interface for mobile audio and video devices –
devices such as the iPod® and every other possible customer device.
The optional Navigation
package with COMAND APS (standard for the CL 600) features a
Europe-wide navigation system whose data are stored on a 40-Gigabyte
hard disc, enabling extremely rapid route calculation. Another
factor contributing to a high level of navigation comfort is the
detailed three-dimension map display including updates free of
charge for three years. For musical entertainment COMAND APS
provides a radio, a CD/DVD player with MP3 function, an equalizer
with speed-dependent volume control and the MUSIC REGISTER with a
7.2 GB hard disc which stores around 2500 digital music files in
MP3, AAC or WMA format. The system recognises music files played on
CD, DVD or from the MUSIC REGISTER using its stored Gracenote®
database, and shows the title, album and performer in the colour
display. Another new function, Music Search, enables CL-Class
drivers and passengers to search SD memory cards, USB sticks, CDs
and DVDs for specific music titles and performers.
The Navigation package
also includes the latest-generation LINGUATRONIC voice control
system that controls the navigation, telephone and audio devices via
whole-word input. Benefit: the driver no longer needs to spell out
his commands but simply speaks the corresponding words as whole
words when entering the destination or choosing a radio station or a
music title from the Music Register, or when calling up a name from
the phone book.
The further developed
surround sound system with Discrete Logic7® technology developed by
Mercedes-Benz together with audio specialists Harman Kardon®
delivers an outstanding performance with three-dimensional sound as
a natural 360-degree musical experience for all passengers of the
CL-Class. Mercedes-Benz offers the surround sound system together
with SPLITVIEW and a six-disc DVD changer as part of the
Entertainment Package (standard for CL 600).
Interior: carefully selected materials and first-class finish
In the interior, too,
Mercedes-Benz developers and designers perfected the CL-Class,
paying careful attention to detail. A total of four different kinds
of fine wood open up the possibilities for perfectly matched
material and colour concepts according to your personal taste: apart
from light and dark high-gloss burr walnut, there is black ash and
high-gloss brown poplar (CL 600). Another particularity: in line
with the central importance awarded to the concept of sustainability
within the Mercedes-Benz corporate philosophy, the CL-Class employs
only European wood from renewable forestry sources. Most of the wood
parts are hand-made and matched individually for colour and grain by
experienced craftsmen.
The seat covers of the
new CL-Class are of the most exquisite quality. For this luxury
model there are two different kinds of leather available which
thanks to their low pre-tensioning and consequent wrinkle effect
appear supple and comfortable from the very first glance. There is a
choice of five tasteful colour combinations for the vehicle
interior: black/black, savannah beige/cashmere beige, sahara
beige/black, and the novel combinations alpaca grey/basalt grey and
aubergine/black.
The multifunction
steering wheel of the CL-Class has also been modified by the
Mercedes-Benz designers: in future the rim and airbag module are
lined with soft nappa leather as standard. The new, flatter airbag
module also lends a sporty touch to the multifunction steering wheel
covered in leather sewn with sophisticated double stitching.
Apart from this,
Mercedes-Benz makes more use of light as a styling element in the
vehicle interior. In future customers who specify the optional
ambient lighting (standard for CL 600) have a choice between three
lighting moods: solar (amber), neutral (white) and polar (ice blue).
Tradition: an exclusive line of
ancestors
The new generation
CL-Class continues the great tradition of Mercedes-Benz coupés,
which reaches back to the legendary supercharged cars of the 1920s
and '30s. Since the 1950s in particular, the brand with the
three-pointed star has produced an uninterrupted series of exclusive
two-door cars which combine sophisticated design with trailblazing
technology – every model an automotive classic. The W 188 model
series 300 S Coupé which entered series production in 1952 marked
the beginning. A contemporary report called it the "measure of what
it is possible to achieve in automotive engineering".
This statement has
retained its full validity for all subsequent models, right down to
the current CL-Class of model series C 216, because the luxury
coupés from Mercedes-Benz featured - apart from their timeless
design and the highest level of comfort - trailblazing innovations
in automotive technology. Thus it was that in 1961 the 220 SE Coupé
was the first series-production Mercedes-Benz to be equipped with
disc brakes. In 1995 the ESP Electronic Stability Program celebrated
its world premiere in the S 600 Coupé of model series C 140, and in
1999 the Active Body Control suspension system was introduced for
the first time in the CL-Class, model series C 215. With the
PRE-SAFE® brake a further technological innovation made its debut in
a large Mercedes-Benz coupé. In the new CL-Class generation, two new
developments, Active Lane Keeping Assist and the Active Blind Spot
Assist, will help prevent accidents or reduce their severity.
