Although the new CLC Sport coupe will mimic the design of the brand-new C-class sedan, the upcoming coupe is actually built around the mechanics of the existing model – and hence based on the chassis of the outgoing C class. The basic concept of the car – short coupe with huge tailgate – will remain unchanged, too.

The name, on the other hand, is likely to be replaced by the somewhat easier “CLC” badge. Like with the outgoing model, buyers will have the option between the four-cylinder C180 (156 bhp, compressor) or C200 (184 bhp, compressor) and the six-cylinder C230 (204 bhp) or C350 (272 bhp). New on offer might be the C280 V6 delivering 231 bhp. Diesel enthusiasts might prefer the C200 CDI (136 bhp) or C220 CDI (170 bhp).

Unfortunately we don’t see much of a change in the design. In fact we think that the design may have gone down in style making it less desirable. We won’t be able to tell completely all of the changes that have been made to it until it is finished and ready to be shown off.

Email This To A Friend or Social Bookmark It!

The system uses six short-range radar sensors mounted in the front and rear bumpers. They monitor the zone to the side and rear of the car on both sides. If another vehicle is detected in the danger zone, a red warning symbol appears in the exterior mirror glass, indicating that it may be dangerous to change lanes.

If the driver ignores the warning, he or she gets an audible warning and the symbol in the mirror will flash. The feature rolls out first in Germany, where it is priced at the equivalent of $3,700-$4,825. It is expensive, but it is something that will become more and more common in high-end vehicles.

Email This To A Friend or Social Bookmark It!

You will also be impressed with the 5.5-liter twin-turbo V-12 produces 612 pound-feet of twist from a mere 1800 rpm and sustains that level to 3500 rpm. So each of the five gears provides relentless thrust throughout its range.

When driven in this somewhat extravagant manner, with both BorgWarner turbochargers blowing a 14.5-psi kiss of life to their respective cylinder banks, the 4800-pound CL600 will reach 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds. The quarter-mile marker blurs by at 113 mph in a brief 12.8 seconds, and that’s just 0.2 second behind the fabulous new Audi R8 mid-engined supercar.

It’s true that the car’s acceleration impresses itself on the mind by sheer physical force, but once high speeds have been attained, there’s little noise from the drivetrain, tires, or wind passing by to alert you to the massive momentum on hand. New owners will need to get used to this feeling or suffer the inevitable consequences, numerous traffic citations or possibly financial impacts of a more physical nature.

Whereas the other instruments have real needles, the speedometer is just an image of an analog gauge and can thus double as a message center and night-vision display. It’s a high-tech solution masquerading as an old-fashioned instrument, but it matches the rest of the dashboard, which includes a small square analog clock, and is pretty convincing to boot. Like the gauge cluster, the car’s interior is a blend of new and established techniques. Leather embraces the seats and the headliner. Whatever, it’s pretty cool, with neat stitching and tidy pleats. The leather is set off with high-quality moldings and chestnut or burled-walnut trim used sparingly in a stylish flourish.

Considering how many mechanisms have to be controlled from the cockpit, we find that this latest version of Benz’s COMAND interface is more-or-less intuitive to the computer-savvy driver. But there were a few functions that would have most people diving for the owner’s manual, among them the control of the adjustable lumbar support and shoulder bolsters, which can also be set in active mode to firm up in corners. We found the constant nudging to be annoying, so we had to locate the button that accesses that specific set of controls and then experiment with the options until the damn thing stopped.

Of course, this elaborate complement of equipment and creature comforts comes at a price: nearly 150 grand on the sticker, and 4800 pounds on the scales. Not that this car’s intended customers would feel either manifestation much. Mercedes-Benz’s ABC suspension technology puts hydraulic rams at each of the four coil springs, providing active spring-preload control. In this way, ABC can alter roll stiffness as well as fore-and-aft spring rates for pitch control and automatic ride leveling.

The result is a big car,  this is the S-class platform, after all, with unexpected nimbleness in every environment. There’s limited compromise to ride comfort, too, since ABC only responds when needed. So the CL600 tools around suburbia with suave composure, feeling like a much smaller car. The typical Mercedes tight turning circle (38.1 feet) helps shrink one’s sense of the car’s size appreciably in urban environments, where you can make U-turns more easily than you can in a supercharged Chevy Cobalt SS. 

Email This To A Friend or Social Bookmark It!

Two special events will make 2007 a particularly important year for Mercedes-AMG. First off the arrival of a new top model, the CL65 AMG, which rounds off the unique AMG range and which also, in “40th Anniversary” limited edition, will mark a special anniversary: the high-performance brand of the Mercedes Car Group (MCG) celebrates its 40th birthday in 2007.

In order to mark the 40th anniversary of Mercedes-AMG, the high-performance brand of the Mercedes Car Group, in suitably glittering style, the CL65 AMG is also being offered as a “40th Anniversary” limited edition model. A new type of paint finish reflects the special status of this exclusive version, which is restricted to just 40 vehicles for the whole world. This exceptional AMG coupe is the very first series-production Mercedes to feature AMG Alubeam, a unique paint finish which has previously only been seen on a handful of Mercedes show cars.

The polished 20-inch AMG twin-spoke forged wheels painted in titanium grey also contribute to the superb roadholding of the CL65 AMG. At the front, the 8.5-inch-wide wheels are fitted with 255/35 ZR20 tires, while 275/35 ZR20 tires equip the 9.5-inch-wide wheels at the rear. With their filigree spokes, they offer tantalizing views of a brake system, the like of which is not to be found in any other manufacturer’s products.

The system in question is the AMG high-performance brake system which sets new standards for stopping power, sensitivity and resistance to fading. In keeping with the innovative approach typical of AMG, the front brakes of the CL65 AMG are equipped with twin sliding calipers.

A world first, this new technology combines the advantages of a floating-caliper brake, lower heat transfer to the brake fluid and significantly enhanced comfort as a result of the way the brake pads are located, with the performance of a large fixed-caliper brake. pattern, a color-coordinated Alcantara roof lining and embossed V12 logos on the front head restraints.

The “40th Anniversary” lettering on the center console confirms the exceptional character of the new coupe and at the same time serves as a reminder of the incomparable history of AMG. Further evidence of the car’s highly exclusive status is provided by the “One out of 40″ badge on the hand rest of the COMAND controller. of the CL65 AMG is complemented perfectly by the vehicle’s powerful, elegant and dynamic design idiom.

The AMG body styling and the self-assured lines of the large Mercedes coupe make a superbly cohesive formal statement. Large air intakes, side air outlets and round fog lamps with chrome surrounds dominate the front, as do the special AMG radiator grille with two horizontal chrome louvers and the darkened bi-xenon headlamps. Distinctive side skirts and “V12 BITURBO” lettering enhance the sides while the two twin chromed V12-design tailpipes and the muscular rear apron with its black diffuser insert make the rear of the vehicle particularly eye-catching.

Email This To A Friend or Social Bookmark It!

Mercedes-Benz, it’s been revealed, has filed for a trademark for the name CLC-Class. Based on their formulaic nomenclature, speculation has ensued over what that could be. One possibility bouncing around is a two-door version of the current CLS four-door coupe. Another is a convertible version of the CL, the two-door version of the S-Class sedan.

While it’d seem an unlikely name to use for this application, DaimlerChrysler may have taken the name to use should they green-light the Ocean Drive concept (pictured) we’ll be seeing in a couple weeks’ time in Detroit.

Of course we have to take this all with a large grain of salt, remembering that just because a large company like DCX has filed for a trademark on a name doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be using it on a production automobile. Interesting, though, that along with the Class 012 trademark for automobiles, Mercedes has also filed a Class 028 trademark for toy model vehicles on the CLC-Class name.

Email This To A Friend or Social Bookmark It!

The base model’s name has been changed from CLS500 to CLS550, thanks to a new 382-hp 5.5-liter V8 it shares with the more mundane E-Class. It’s 25 percent more powerful than the engine it replaces and enables the car to hit 60 mph in well under six seconds. Unfortunately, premium fuel is required.

A sophisticated seven-speed automatic transmission is standard and includes manual gear-selection capability, though most will likely leave it in “drive” and be done with it. The EPA rates the CLS550’s fuel economy at an estimated 15 mpg city/22 mpg highway, which subjects it to the federal gas-guzzler tax.

At the top of the line is the CLS63 AMG, formerly called the CLS55 AMG, which is likewise renamed to reflect its larger 6.3-liter V8 engine. It remains one of the fastest cars on the road, now with 507 horses under the hood. It’s capable of zero-to-60-mph acceleration times of slightly more than four seconds, but you’ll pay dearly to be able to go that fast it costs about $25,000 more than the CLS500.

The CLS63 AMG comes with performance tires, assorted cosmetic add-ons (which are also offered on the base version as part of the AMG Sport Package) and an adjustable air suspension with soft and sporty settings. This model is rated at 13 mpg city/20 mpg highway, which means buyers have to dig into their wallets to pay the gas-guzzler tax and keep it running on premium fuel.

Noteworthy options include heated and ventilated multicontour seats, a power trunk closer, adaptive cruise control that can maintain a set speed and space from vehicles ahead as well as an interface that links Apple’s iPod MP3 player to the car’s audio system.

You must be aware that many Mercedes models are consistently rated as having “much worse than average” reliability by Consumer Reports. Although reliability for the recently launched CLS-Class isn’t yet available, the E-Class sedan with which it shares many components has an abysmal track record for reliability.

Email This To A Friend or Social Bookmark It!

The new V8 generates an impressive 86 hp more than the 5.0-liter engine it replaces, for a total of 388 hp. Mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission with manual gear selection via a steering-column-mounted lever, this engine enables the CL550 to reach 60 mph from a standing start in around 5.4 seconds, according to Mercedes-Benz. That’s nearly a full second faster than the 2006 model’s zero-to-60-mph time.

An even more powerful CL600 version will follow later in the model year. It will pack a twin-turbocharged V12 that scorches the pavement with 512 hp. Mercedes-Benz says it can reach 60 mph in about 4.6 seconds.

While EPA fuel-economy ratings were not issued as of publication time, these engines obtain 16 mpg city/24 mpg highway in the S550 sedan and 12 mpg city/19 mpg highway in the S600 sedan. Both run on premium fuel and are assessed the federal gas-guzzler tax. We expect similar numbers for the coupes.

The coupe gets the S-Class sedan’s new user-interface system that minimizes dashboard switches and buttons in favor of a center-console-mounted controller that manipulates menus on an LCD monitor. Redundant controls for certain functions are found on the steering wheel and console.

Most luxury-car manufacturers are implementing such multimedia control systems in the pursuit of streamlined and simplified ergonomics, but they generally tend to swap one level of complexity for another and aren’t proving to simplify the user experience.

The 2007 CL has a computer-controlled Active Body Roll suspension system similar to that of the preceding model. It’s designed to keep this heavy vehicle stable through high-speed maneuvers, particularly during sharp turns. Based on our experience with the prior model, we expect the system to be almost supernatural in its ability to negate body roll the tendency of a vehicle to pitch from side to side through turns.

The suspension system lowers the car slightly at higher speeds to reduce aerodynamic drag and improve stability. Myriad other chassis-control systems further enhance the car’s performance and handling characteristics, including the usual stability and traction control systems that are a boon to driver safety. As does the S-Class sedan, the CL showcases cutting-edge technology.

For example, a new Intelligent Light System includes five different headlamp functions that are optimized for varying situations and weather conditions. These include a “country road” mode that focuses the high-intensity beams on the driver’s side of the road to avoid blinding oncoming traffic, as well as a “motorway” mode, for when oncoming traffic isn’t an issue, that illuminates the entire road ahead in a uniform cone of light.

For even better visibility in darkness, an optional Night View Assist function essentially extends the driver’s range of vision without having to turn on the high beams: Two infrared headlamps illuminate the road, while an infrared camera records the reflected image of the road ahead and displays it on a small screen mounted on the instrument panel.

A new Brake Assist Plus feature measures the distance between the vehicle and the traffic ahead and will automatically apply the ideal amount of braking assistance when you’re coming to a stop if it calculates that the closing speed is too high.

If the car’s Pre-Safe collision avoidance system senses a collision is imminent and unavoidable, it will automatically retract the seat belts, move the passenger’s seat so that the seatbelts and airbags will have maximum effect and inflate the air cushions in the multicontour seats (if so equipped) to envelop and support the car’s occupants.

A rearview camera is available to help make parallel parking even easier. Also available is a sophisticated parking-guidance system that automatically measures the length of a parking space and indicates whether there is sufficient space for the vehicle to fit. If the space is suitable, the system provides a graphic representation that indicates the required steering angle and the proper path into the parking space when the reverse gear is engaged.

The 2007 CL represents the seventh generation of Mercedes’ largest coupe, which originated with the still-sought-after 1952 300 S. As of the end of the 2006 model year, Mercedes-Benz has built more than 187,000 big luxury coupes. The CL Class debuted as a 1998 model and has always been based on the more full-size S Class sedan.

The coupe was redesigned for 2000, dispensing with its creased lines in favor of round edges and curves, as well as getting updated mechanicals, improved performance and added features.

Email This To A Friend or Social Bookmark It!