Mercedes CL 500: Welcome To The Club

2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 09:36

Mercedes has further refined the CL-Class. Chassis, comfort and some new safety features ensure a distinctive driving experience in this luxury coupé.

By Thomas Flehmer

There it was again, the discussion about the perfect car. With the new CL-Class, Mercedes-Benz has set new standards in the premium segment. «The task of the corporate management was simple. Build the best luxury coupé in the world,”says Hans-Dieter Multhaupt, Head of Program Management and Development of the S, SL and CL-Class.

No pitching and rolling movements

“A perfect car”, whispers my co-driver after the first test kilometers on Mallorca. The CL 500 lies like a board on the road. Despite the high speeds, which the eight-cylinder, equipped with 285 kW / 388 hp and a torque of 530 Nm, effortlessly transfers to the road, you sit inside like in a dignified English men's club.

Thanks to Active Body Control (ABC), the pitching and rolling movements of the body disappear completely. The elegantly finished interior with soft leather upholstery and high-quality wooden trim does the rest. The only thing missing is the cigar cutter on the instrument panel and the "Times" in the shelf.

Club room atmosphere

The controls are just as stylish. Only the most important buttons are in the center and do not overload the driver's attention in any way. The automatic air conditioning, which works in four individually divided zones, provides refreshment. If that's not enough, you can still order internally ventilated seats. The pneumatic lumbar supports, small air cushions inside the seat which, depending on the inclination, leave the seated person in the upright sitting position, are already standard.

Pre-safe brake reduces risk

But it's not just the luxurious comfort inside that make your stay an experience. Mercedes has further upgraded the safety features. In addition to the familiar Pre-Safe occupant protection and the “Intelligent Light System”, the two-door model is also equipped with the Pre-Safe brake.

The driver is warned visually and acoustically of an impending rear-end collision. In addition, the system calculates the brake pressure required to avoid the accident. If the brake is then applied, the braking force assistance is available immediately. If the driver does not react at all, automatic partial braking is initiated.

To 100 in 5.4 seconds

But the CL 500 was actually not built for braking. A top speed of 250 km / h and acceleration from zero to 100 km / h in 5.4 seconds bring pure driving pleasure. This means that the new model is just under a second faster than its predecessor, which with a total of 46,800 units was the best-selling luxury coupé in the world.

Although the engine was also equipped with 17 hp more, the four-seater should consume less than the previous model series. Mercedes speaks of 12.1 liters of super plus, the on-board computer of just over 15 liters. But if you can afford the starting price of 105,850 euros, you will probably not be bothered by increased consumption.

Solid charm

"A perfect car," said the young colleague, "but I wouldn't buy it." Despite its curved side line with the strikingly sloping roof towards the rear, the CL exudes the dignified charm of the old man's club. In the bends of Mallorca had to be steered vigorously to get the five-meter-long and almost two-ton vehicle back on course.

The young colleague would rather have a smaller, more manoeuvrable coupé. However, at almost 40 years of age, he is not part of the direct target group of CL buyers, who have an average age of around 55 years. And so it was back: The discussion about the perfect car.

Top model uses twelve cylinders

But this philosophical discourse was also quickly put to an end. Because Mercedes goes one better: The top model CL 600. The twelve-cylinder with 380 kW / 517 PS and an extremely powerful torque of 830 Nm, which is available from 1900 rpm, only needs 4.6 seconds to go into the three-digit range To penetrate miles per hour.

In the interior, comfort has been further increased with the “Passion Exclusive” leather upholstery. Hand-picked poplar wood, an Alcantara headliner with topstitching, dynamic seats with massage function are available in the “club room”. Entry into this world starts at 149,640 euros. But for this price you have a perfect car.