Mercedes-Benz CL ultra luxury coupes cap sophisticated line
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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CAP D'ANTIBES, France -- A velvet blue hue from waters of the Mediterranian Sea reflects off the rakish windshield of an elite new full-size coupe from Germany's Mercedes-Benz set in a display with slinky predecessor coupes at a seaside resort on the French Riviera.
The observer's eye, lured to the mirror reflection merging colors of sea and sky in a curving pattern of window glass which melts into fluid lines of sheetmetal sweeping from an exaggerated hood over the pillar-less roof to an elongated tail, acknowledges this new automotive form as sensuous and elegant, even downright breathtaking in artistic beauty.
It is, without question, the most graceful car design to come from Mercedes-Benz, and, considering the lengthy list of high-tech mechanical hardware encased by all of that curvaceous car metal, certainly the most sophisticated.
Two versions, the first equipped with a powerful 5.0-liter V8 engine and the second soon to follow with a new 6.0-liter V12, are coming to America as 2000 models under the labels of CL500 and CL600.
The intent for these new coupes, replacing former models by the same name, is to crown the Mercedes line of elite automobiles as new flagships which showcase the extensive collection of mechanical systems for power, performance and safety in the context of a dazzling ultra coupe design which also provides utterly luxurious comforts for a driver and three passengers.
Core elements come out of the new Mercedes S Class full-size luxury sedans, although these coupes earn their own unique platform and a dedicated production facility.
They also measure smaller by several inches in length, width and height than their hefty predecessors, which makes them look more spry and sporty in the tradition of coupe designs, but the passenger compartment contains more room inside in every dimension.
And they carry more computer-controlled electronic hardware for safety than any other car in the world.
There are devices aboard to stabilize forward movement and tire traction, smart brakes and adjustable suspension settings, plus multiple air bags to cushion the human cargo.
Designers also added an electronic brain that can out-think a driver at times and make intelligent decisions regarding car movement and its safe operation. The system employs microprocessors which connect with many on-board sensors to measure the vehicle's forward and lateral movement, tire rotation, passenger load, even conditions of a roadbed and the traffic on it. These miniature computers can filter all of the data, then automatically set into play various equipment based on need or demand.
As an example, an adaptive restraint system includes sensors that can determine who sits where, then switch off air bags and seatbelt pretensioners for any unoccupied seats. Monitors in rear seatbelts know when riders are buckled aboard and automatically raise the rear headrests for them.
Seat sensors also link to an automatic climate system to determine how many people are aboard, then deliver cooling or heating at a selected cabin temperature and modulate air flow to counter effects of solar gain.
Sensors in the suspension system determine vehicular payload, speed and road conditions, and they can adjust dampers on shock absorbers to smooth out or firm up the ride quality. Still other devices measure wheel speed and lateral acceleration and can brake an individual wheel to correct potential skidding or spinning of the car.
Even the cruise control system is smart: It draws on the Doppler effect in radar to measure the distance to a car ahead in the coupe's path, then adjusts the throttle or applies brakes to maintain a pre-set minimum distance between the two vehicles.
A dash-mounted navigation system as standard equipment integrates a guidance system with Global Positioning Satellite reckoning and hands-free telephone and audio controls. The driver can interact with this intelligent system and use it to control the audio, dial phone numbers or figure out where to go.
We relied on the navigation system to chart an extensive course through the Maritime Alps of France's Provence region in order to test the new coupes over a loop course which included a variety of pavement surfaces on roads ranging from steep alpine grades to fast-paced freeways bereft of enforced speed limits.
For passenger entry, the testers used a keyless card the size of a credit card which the operator carries in a pocket. With card in hand, driver's door unlocks automatically when you touch the door handle. To start the engine, simply step on the brake pedal and depress a chrome button in the middle of the gear shifter knob. Turn the engine off with the same button, and as you exit with the card all doors lock.
These are powerful and swift machines, capable of lively action like a sportster and high speed of a racer while couched in the lavish comforts of a deluxe touring car. Ours danced around mountain curves in the Alps, then virtually flew down the Autoroute A8 to Cannes, sustaining a clip in excess of 140 mph with the poise and quiet efficiency of a lesser car traveling at half that speed.
To generate so much action, the CL500 stocks a single-cam 5.0-liter V8 rigged to deliver 306 hp. It propels the coupe from zero to 60 mph in just over six seconds.
The CL600 goes further with a new 6.0-liter V12 rated at 363 hp. It has a seamless automatic cylinder cut-off controller that can save 20 percent on fuel by paring back to half the number of cylinders fired when less demand is placed on the throttle.
Either engine connects to a slick five-speed adaptable automatic transmission which provides selective clutch-less shifting through a flick of the stick, either left to upshift or right to downshift.
Other noteworthy mechanical tools include power rack and pinion steering for precise turning control, plus power-assisted disc brakes tied to anti-lock and traction control systems, along with stability control. Also, the Mercedes innovation of Brake Assist works automatically during an emergency stop, applying full brake force to shorten the stopping distance by as much as 45 percent.
The plush interior with wrap-around cockpit has twin spaces for front seats divided by a multi-function console, with elegant spashes of polished wood -- either burl walnut or chestnut -- decorating doors, console and steering wheel. In back two articulated seats deliver genuine legroom, a rare commodity in coupe design.
These coupes are also quite rare, as only 50,000 will be cast over the next seven years with about a quarter of these slated for the United States. Retail pricing, while utterly exotic, actually undercuts figures for the previous coupes by substantial figures, beginning at $85,500.
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| 2000 MERCEDES BENZ CL500 VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS |
| Description: |
Luxury coupe
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| Model Options: |
Luxury coupe
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| Wheelbase: |
113.6 inches
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| Overall Length: |
196.6 inches
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| Engine Size: |
SOHC 5.0-L V8
SOHC 6.0-L V12
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| Transmission: |
Auto/5
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| Drive: |
Rear
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| Braking: |
Power 4-disc/ABS/TCS/ESP
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| Airbags: |
2 (front) + 2 (side)
+ 2 (side curtain)
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| Gas Mileage: |
V8: 17/24 mpg
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| MSRP Price: |
$ 85,500 |
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