Mercedes-Benz CL-class is the Luxury coupe, based on the Mercedes-Benz S-class.
Since 1996 coupes of Mersedes S-class has been designated as CL and came to the separate CL-class. The 140 model was first introduced in 1992, and models of 126 series in 1981.

In 1999, there was a new C215, based on the chassis of the new S-class, and the model range was filled up with new modifications, where was a variety of technical innovations used in the construction of four-seater coupe of the upper class. The new coupe has replaced the model of 1992, and although the vehicle has the same base as the S-class sedan, they are different in exterior. Oval headlights give the novelty a certain resemblance to CLK. The predecessor was longer by 72 mm and wider by 60 mm, but for all that CL has not lost its solidity and got more soft and dynamic lines.

Mercedes CL as the S-class has many electronic tricks including the Keyless-Go system, which unlocks doors and start the engine without a key just by a plastic card. The modern cruise control system Distronic allows a vehicle not only to maintain a constant speed, but also to change it depending on road surface. Small radar located behind the trim grille, controls the distance to a car in front and automatically adjusts the speed of driving when braking or accelerating. Range of the sensor is 150 m. The control unit calculates the intensity of the slowdown to break and at the same time not disturb passengers.
For the first time the CL was equipped with a unique active suspension Active Body Control (ABC) as standard equipment. It guarantees comfort, excepting the longitudinal and transverse rolls. Owing to high-pressure hydraulics, multiple sensors and powerful microprocessors the active suspension instantly adjusts the car to the relevant traffic situation, thus reducing dynamic body roll by 50% in compared with the previous model of CL with a passive suspension and the damping system. Reduction of body movement when accelerating, turning and braking provides the higher level of safety. There are hydraulically adjustable cylinders of the actuator strut working with the passive shock absorbers and coil springs in this system. They share tasks of controlling the suspension. To absorb high-frequency vibrations of wheels (6-20 Hz) the new CL is also installed passive gas shock absorbers and coil springs, which damping force is smaller than traditional suspensions have. It improves comfort and reduces rolling vibration. There is not necessary to set traditional torsion stabilizer bars due to the strong stabilization of a body in the transverse direction. The limit of the system is 5 Hz, while the completely active suspension works in the frequency range from 0 to 30 Hz that requires more energy and worsens the driving.

The new CL-class has the serial bi-xenon headlights of lower and upper beams firstly used, which have a large luminosity; integrated lumbar support heated seats, digital tire pressure system. In addition, the CL is equipped with the COMAND system, ASR and Break-Assist, side airbags, ventilation of seats. Vehicles have a five-speed automatic gearbox, a trip computer, voice-operated control for telephone Linguatronic, providing hands-free. In the event of an accident the car informs the emergency via the sputnik. And this is not a complete list of standard features of the luxury coupe.
In 1999 the model range was filled with new modifications - CL 600 and CL55AMG. Cars, depending on their versions are equipped with engines of various capacity and power: CL500 has a 5-liter V8 engine of 306 hp; CL55AMG – a 5.4-liter V8 volume of 360 hp. The top version of CL600 coupe is equipped with a 5.8-liter V12 engine of 367 hp, accelerates the car of nearly 2.5 tons weight to 100km/h in 6.1 seconds. The maximum speed is limited to 250 km/h and the average fuel consumption is 13.3 liters/100 km according to the European standard. The car starts to move responsive and smooth. Even at high speed the car is very controlled and almost has no rolls when excellent driving owing to the latest generation of ESP system and ABC. The “home” of this car is the German highway where vehicles can go at 140, 180, and 240 speeds. The car is like glued onto the road even at limited 250 km/h which is not felt. Here it is the Mercedes sports! You can pull the gear lever to the left and go to the manual mode and the selected gear will be displayed.
In 2002 the largest and most luxurious coupe of the German brand Mercedes was upgraded a little. There is a slightly different design of headlights, a new front bumper and a slightly modified tail lights with four chrome strips, almost as on the S-class sedan. In addition, as well as the Mercedes S-class, the updated coupe will get the modified interior, which is used high-quality and expensive trimming materials, and a new set of basic and optional equipment.
However, a major innovation of the Mercedes CL is the latest 5.5-liter V12 bi turbo engine, borrowed from Maybach, which will be available in the most expensive version of the coupe and Mercedes S600 sedan. This engine has the output of 500 hp and the maximum torque of 800 Nm. It accelerates CL coupe from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.8-seconds.
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In autumn of 2006 the production of the new Mercedes CL-Class has opened up a new stage in the history of luxury sports coupe, which was started in 1952. The car combines the traditions of Mercedes and the latest technology. The luxurious and elegant coupe CL is based on the Mercedes S-class platform. However, the exterior of a car is completely original. The new Mercedes-Benz CL has grown in all dimensions: its length is 5065 mm (longer by 75 mm), the width is 1871 mm (wider by 14 mm), and the height is 1418 mm (by 20 mm). Owing to it the place for all four passengers is extended and the luggage capacity increased to 490 liters.
The new design is more dynamic, sophisticated and elegant. Distinctive features of the new generation are the luxurious exterior and interior. CL is a model of a new style of Mercedes-Benz, differing in a combination of expressive sweeping lines and elegant quiet planes. There is with the star of Mercedes-Benz located on the center of the ribbed grille in front. The main design element is headlights. As a technical point of view, they are the most advanced intelligent lighting system - Intelligent Light System. Two raised lines “drawn by" at different heights along the length of the body, forming the structural appearance of the side part, sharing the plane and giving the elegance to the elongated silhouette. This relief molding is called a characteristic line by designers. The “characteristic line” comes to the tail lights on the back part. The horizontally structured bumper and twin exhaust pipes emphasize the sporty Mercedes CL.
This sport model is also emphasized by the range of power plants; the coupe is only equipped with the most powerful engines: a 5.5-liter eight-cylinder engine of 388 hp for CL500 and a 5.5-liter 12-cylinder engine with twin turbochargers producing 517 hp for the top version CL600. Both engines work with an automatic transmission 7G-Tronic, and the standard gear lever is exchanged to the special switch under the steering wheel. Acceleration of CL 500 takes 5.4 seconds to 100 km/h and 4.6 seconds of CL 600. The maximum speed of both cars is electronically limited to 250 km/h.
The active suspension Active Body Control (ABC) allows to avoid rolls when turning, intense accelerating, breaking, to control the clearance, change the rigidity of shock absorbers according to a driver’s demand. At speeds above 80 km/h, the system automatically reduces the clearance by 10 mm to improve the aerodynamic characteristics of a car.

The interior consists of leather trim and wood insertions and chrome-plated metal. There is the elegant dashboard trimmed with soft leather inside of a car. There are five colors trims, the climate control system, responsible for 4 zones, Command, an audio system with CD/DVD player and an electric sunroof. The list of optional features includes parking sensors with a rear view camera, the night vision system and voice control of some functions. The top model of Mercedes-Benz CL600 is available with leather heated seats, ventilation and vibratory massage functions, the navigation equipment, the premium audio system LOGIC7.
The Command system allowed Mercedes-Benz CL to reduce a number of buttons and switches, but at the same time extend the functionality of all electronics. First of all, the system provides quick and easy access to frequently used functions such as a radio, a CD/DVD player, a telephone and a navigation system. A driver can control them from the steering wheel or by a joystick located on the center console.
A little later there was the charged version of the CL 65 AMG equipped with a 6.0-liter 12-cylinder engine of 612 hp. Acceleration of the rear-wheel-drive CL 65 AMG takes just 4.4 seconds to 100 km/h. The maximum speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h.

Standard equipment of CL AMG includes 20-inch wheels, unique brand interior design, the sports suspension Active Body Control and the braking system PRE-SAFE, which automatically stops the car in a case of a possible accident.
In addition, in honor of the 40th anniversary of the AMG studio there was a special limited CL 65 AMG “40th Anniversary”. The special status of this model (only 40 vehicles were produced) is emphasized by the unique body color, which used only for show cars of Mercedes. Due to using special paint technology to get the illusion of a liquid metal flowing the coupe. The interior is made of leather Nappa and available in two-tone color design. There are logos V12O on the headrest of front seats. The steering wheel is also covered leather Nappa, and inserts are made of carbon fiber. There is the inscription 40th Anniversary and the badge ONE OUT OF 40 on the console.
In summer of 2010, the restyled Mercedes CL was presented on the French coast. After that there are “charged” modification of the leader CL 63 and CL 65 with an index of AMG. The Russian public met this model at the Moscow Auto Show in summer of 2010.

From an aesthetic point of view, the car received a few changes: the new design of the front bumper and a chrome strip on the modernized grille. Fog lights, indicators and side lights are made of the LEDs. The intelligent headlights (ILS), rear optics and mirrors are unshaped. The coupe versions of the tuning AMG salon differ in redesigned skirts, a chrome grille with a single crossbar and the brand 19 or 20 inches wheels. AMG-cars are different by the exhaust outlets: C 63 has the trapezoidal one and C 65 – the double oval one. In general, the restyled Mercedes CL looks elegant, harmonious, and power, embodying respectability and reliability.
The cabin is spacious and luxury. Each element of interior has been carefully chosen, many wooden elements are handmade. Leather seats with massagers and dozens of options settings, the luxurious multi media system, metal decor inserts are evidence of the high level of ergonomics of the cabin. The charged CL 63 AMG and CL 65 AMG models have trade mark of AMG in every element of the interior. Sport seats always give comfort and effective support. There is the main menu with Racetimer computer on the dashboard. Shifts of automatic gearbox Speedshift 7G-Tronic of AMG can be changed by aluminum switches located under the ergonomic sports steering wheel of AMG.
The car is equipped with all the leading safety systems (as the adaptive lighting, night vision, Blind Spot Monitor system). The Lane departure warning system needs if a driver crosses the central mall without property reaction the system will return it to its way. If the distance to a car in front reduces the car firstly will beep (the steering wheel will be vibrating at the same time), and then it controls driving by itself. Start-Stop function can delicately turn off and start again the engine at traffic lights. The standard version is equipped with the active suspension Active Body Control with sport working mode and the hydraulic braking system. Attention assist detects more than 70 different parameters, including tiredness of a driver.
The 5.5-liter V12 engine of 517 hp now meets Euro 5 standard, and, more importantly, there is the new modification of the CL 500 BlueEFFICIENCY. The V8 CL 500 BlueEFFICIENCY was completely redesigned: the engine capacity was reduced from 5.5 liters to 4.7 liters, while the output and the torque were increased from 388 hp and 530 Nm to 435 hp and 700 Nm. Owing it the fuel consumption was also reduced: now it is 9.5 liters per 100 kilometers instead of 12.3. The Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG got the new engine Bi-turbo of 5.5 liter V8 and 544 hp which replaced the 6.2 liter engine of 525 hp. This power plant works with a seven-speed robotized transmission Speedshift MCT. CL65 AMG has still the same 12-cylinder engines, but the power was increased to 630 hp.

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