Mercedes-Benz CL-Class

History

The equipment of the luxury class coupé corresponds to its position at the top of the Mercedes-Benz model programme, which is built at the Sindelfingen plant on its own line

The CL-Class was the coupé derivative of the S-Class full-size luxury saloon, upon which it shares the same platform. Formerly known as the SEC (Sonderklasse-Einspritzmotor-Coupé) and later S-Coupé, it was spun off into its own, separate name in 1996 and in 1997 for North American markets. The CL continued to follow the same development cycle as the S, though riding on a shorter wheelbase, and sharing the same engines albeit with less choice as only the higher-output powertrains are offered. The last generation of the CL was actually heavier than its corresponding S trim (considering equivalent equipment), due to the roof engineering required to compensate for the lack of a central B-pillar.

First generation (C140; 1992–1998)

The first generation CL-Class was the redesigned W140-chassis (internally known as C140) coupé of 1992–1999. Designed by Bruno Sacco, the C140's final design was approved between late 1987 and early 1988. Though the coupé's physical appearance changed little over these years, the class underwent a name change several times. The V8 and V12 coupés were called the 500 SEC and 600 SEC, respectively, in 1992 and 1993. The 600 SEC was the first V12 coupé ever offered by Mercedes-Benz. For 1994, the model names were changed to the S500 Coupé and the S600 Coupé. The name CL-Class was adopted in June 1996 (1997 for MY1998 North American models), and the W140 coupés were called the CL500 and CL600.

The M119 5.0 L V8 engine was regarded as one of the best engines ever produced by the German manufacturer (according to various journalists from automobile magazines such as Car and Auto Motor Und Sport).

Twelve cylinder variants can be identified by the "V12" emblems at the base of each C pillar, placed immediately behind the passenger windows. An entry-level model, the CL420, was available with a 4.2 L V8 engine (with the same architecture as the M119 5.0 L V8 engine) and since it was not available at all markets, it had very low sales compared to its larger-engined siblings. Production ended in 1998, with 1999 being the final model year, with 26,022 Coupés produced.

Engines

Specifications for European model.

* All are electronically limited

Second generation (C215; 1998–2006)

The second generation CL was the C215-chassis four passenger coupé of 1998–2006, with development 1993 to 1999 and final design approved in 1996. It was based on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W220) (which was launched in late 1998 in Europe), though it rides on an 8-inch (203 mm) shorter wheelbase. Upon release, it was the only pillarless hardtop in production, until the CLK also became pillarless in 2001. The CL's front fascia of four oval headlights was similar to the headlights used on the W210 and W211 E-Class.

The CL model variants included the:

CL 500 with a naturally-aspirated (NA) V8 (1999–2006)

CL 55 AMG with a naturally-aspirated V8 (2000–2002)

CL 600 with a naturally-aspirated V12 (2000–2002)

CL 55 AMG with a supercharged V8 (2003–2006)

CL 600 with a 5.5 litre Biturbo V12 (limited production, about 200 per year worldwide) (2003–2006)

CL 55 AMG F1 Edition with a naturally-aspirated V8 (55 examples only) (2000)

CL 63 AMG (limited production, 26 examples only) (2001)

CL 65 AMG with a 6.0 litre Biturbo V12 (limited production, 196 total) (2004–2006)

The C215 CL coupés introduced the Active Body Control (ABC) fully active suspension system and Bi-Xenon HID lights). Active Body Control uses four hydraulic suspension rams that use three pressure regulators connected to a combination power steering and suspension pump, pushing fluid at a pressure of 2,960 psi (20,400 kPa) through the system that, along with several intermediate computers and master CPU, keeps this car flat through the corners. The W220 S-Class sibling had standard Airmatic air suspension (a semi-active suspension system) across the range with ABC as an option, although ABC was included on top-performing trims (S 55 AMG (supercharged), S 600 (biturbo), and S 65 AMG). Other drivetrain differences from the W220 included no availability of 4Matic, and no diesel engines (inline-6 or V6) nor V6 petrol engines on the C215.

Engines

As with all major German manufacturers (except Porsche), Mercedes electronically limits most of its cars to a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).

* All are electronically limited

Third generation (C216; 2006–2014)

After 6 years of development, the new model was officially unveiled at the end of June 2006 and was presented at the 2006 Paris Motor Show. Like its predecessors, the C216 has no B-pillar between the front and rear side windows.

The W216 was offered in four variants, each with its own engine and transmission, the 5.5L V8-powered CL 550 (available with 4MATIC all-wheel drive, which was standard in Canada and the USA), the high-performance 6.2L V8-powered CL 63 AMG (with optional performance package variant) and the ultra-luxury twin-turbo 5.5L V12-powered CL 600 and, lastly, the top-of-the-line CL 65 AMG with a twin-turbo 6.0L V12 engine. The CL 500 was sold as the CL 550 in some markets (particularly Canada and the USA). The W216 CL-Class is based on the chassis of the W221 S-Class, which shares the same powertrains, although there are V6 and hybrid engines for the W221 not available for the W216.

The two-door CL coupé weighs 2,045 kg (4,508 lb), being heavier than the equivalent S saloon, and rides on a full-size 116.3-inch wheelbase (albeit 8.2 inches less than the long wheelbase S-Class, which was the only S-Class sold in the U.S.). Despite its large size, rear seat legroom was limited in keeping in the tradition of 2+2 luxury coupés, though CL has more rear passenger space than its rivals. The CL's trunk was as large as that of the Audi A8 flagship saloon.

The C216 makes use of the Distronic Plus cruise control, which debuted on the 2007 S-Class. This system was 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 generation of CL also debuted with the new Active NightVision program that enables drivers to view the conditions in front of the car despite the dark surroundings.

In 2007, 40 C216 CL 65 AMG units were sold as the 40th Anniversary Edition, to celebrate AMG's founding 40 years earlier. The '40th Anniversary Edition' was based on the CL 65 AMG. Changes included a 'ONE OUT OF 40' badge near the COMAND controller, special upholstery and rooflining, and a special 'AMG Alubeam' paint finish. Apart from the CL 65 AMG 40th Anniversary Edition, only a small selection of showcars got an Alubeam finish, a special paint designed to gleam like liquid metal.

2010 update

The facelift version of the Mercedes CL-Class made its world debut in July 2010 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The new CL-Class comes with an improved exterior and interior, but the biggest changes are found under the hood. The exterior gets a new grille, bi-xenon headlights with LED technology, LED fog lamps, revised fenders and hood, and new exhaust pipes. For the interior the biggest change is the addition of a new wood trim. The new CL-Class was also offered with new technologies including: Active Blind Spot Assist, Attention Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Night View Assist Plus, and Active Body Control.

The model line-up starts with the entry-level CL 500 (550 in the US) powered by the new 4.7 L (4,663cc) V8 direct-injected engine that produces 435 PS (320 kW; 429 hp) and 700 N⋅m (516 lb⋅ft) of torque, paired to a new seven-speed automatic transmission, which allows it to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. The CL 600 retains the twin-turbo 5.5 L V12 engine and five-speed automatic with a total output of 517 PS (380 kW; 510 hp) and 830 N⋅m (612 lb⋅ft) of torque. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds. Both vehicles are limited to 250 km/h. The CL 63 AMG was powered by a new direct injection, 5.5-litre V8 engine (a larger displacement version of the CL 550's) mated to a 7-speed MCT dual-clutch transmission with a total output of 525 PS (386 kW; 518 hp) and 800 N⋅m (590 lb⋅ft) of torque. The CL 65 AMG's V12 engine has been tweaked to produce 630 PS (463 kW; 621 hp) and 1,000 N⋅m (738 lb⋅ft) of torque, mated to a five-speed automatic with AMG SpeedShift.

The last generation of the CL-Class, C216, was available in five models: CL 500 (CL 550 in some markets, with standard 4MATIC in Canada and the USA), CL 600, CL 63 AMG, CL 63 AMG (S) and CL 65 AMG. The CL 65 AMG was the most powerful model of the CL and the most expensive Mercedes-branded vehicle, slightly edging out its S-Class equivalent S 65 AMG and the SLS. CL sales were the third-lowest of Mercedes-Benz in North America at the time with under 1400 units sold in 2006, as only the G-Class four-wheel drive and two-seat SLS AMG sell smaller numbers; annual CL sales equalled Ford truck sales for one day. However, this exclusivity was considered attractive to CL buyers.