Welcome! This is a website that everyone can build together. It's easy!

2007 Mercedes-Benz CL 550: Two Door Supremacy

When Mercedes-Benz decided to redesign their CL-Class of cars, I took a long breath and wondered out loud. "How can they improve a perfect design?" came the echoes from deep within. The last CL I'd driven was the CL 65 AMG, with its hand built twin-turbo, 6.0 liter V12 that poured out 604 horsepower and a whopping 738 pound feet of torque. At $180,000 and some change, it was a bargain considering its supercar performance. So the bar was set real high when I got the opportunity to drive the all-new CL-Class.


The new model is based on the successful redesign of the S-Class, Mercedes' flagship sedan. It's a more brutish design than the svelte, rounded CL it replaces, but it works well. At 199 inches of overall length, the new CL is only six inches shorter than the S-Class. This is a big car. My tester was the CL550.

Outside, the CL's rounded roofline remains. It starts from the "A" pillar with a slight bow upwards, then drops off rather quickly as it flows into the trunkline. Two sculpted ridges have been incorporated into the beltline - one high and one low, which gives the doors and rear quarter visual depth. Side skirts carry all the way into the rear bumper, which help to provide a ground effects look. Dual chromed exhausts are enclosed in a rear finisher panel, and the rear quarter panels have power indentations that remind you of a sculpted athlete's powerful glutes. The real change comes in the huge fender flares both front and rear that give the CL a hulking image. The flares work on this car because Mercedes has wisely filled the wheel wells with staggered width 18" wheels on performance rubber. From the front, headlights that wrap around into the front fenders and a subtle chin spoiler compliment the traditional chrome slat grille and three-pointed star. This is a beautiful work of art.


2007 Mercedes-Benz CL 550
Step inside the new CL, and you are treated with Rock Star luxury. This is a pillarless coupe, so entry front or rear is easy, particularly the rear seats as the CL's front seats automatically move forward once a chromed latch is lifted. Up front, the broad, burled wood (other finishes available) center console is dominant. On the lower console is Mercedes' Cockpit Management and Data System (COMAND) controller, which is light years easier to use than BMW's I-Drive controller. A dedicated phone keypad (nicely covered in wood) rests just above the COMAND controller. Just in front of the COMAND controller are four direct access buttons for the most common controls a driver normally uses - the audio system, telephone and navigation, and some specialized seat controls. To the left and right of the COMAND controller are buttons to change suspension damping, control audio volume, raise or drop rear headrests, and a "favorites" button that can be programmed to control a function not already listed. Moving upwards, there's a row of direct access HVAC buttons (redundant buttons as you can also control HVAC via COMAND). Just above these buttons is a gorgeous analog clock that's easily read from all seating positions. Above the clock is the COMAND display screen which also has a unique feature. You can adjust it so that it is canted towards you the driver, or you can electronically swivel it to share with passengers (trust me, they will want to join in the fun).

Continue Reading..




Latest page update: made by Anonymous, Jun 22 2007, 4:35 PM EDT (about this update About This Update Posted Anonymously Edited anonymously

582 words added
1 image added

view changes

- complete history)
More Info: links to this page

Anonymous  (Get credit for your thread)


Started By Thread Subject Replies Last Post
Anonymous Hi !!! 0 Jul 3 2007, 4:14 AM EDT by Anonymous
Thread started: Jul 3 2007, 4:14 AM EDT  Watch
Every vehicle Mercedes has produced are engineered and designed amazingly with art and prestige, with just merely carefully choosing appropriate parts, like Mercedes Benz Headlight Rim - http://www.eurobzparts.com/mercedes-benz-headlight-rim , coordinating with the fenders and spoilers, giving it the luxurious look that attracts a lot of customers which eventually get satisfied with its exceptional performance and precision. There is surely more of it from Mercedes.
2  out of 2 found this valuable. Do you?    
Keyword tags: None (edit keyword tags)
Anonymous Hi !!! 0 Jul 3 2007, 4:12 AM EDT by Anonymous
Thread started: Jul 3 2007, 4:12 AM EDT  Watch
Every vehicle Mercedes has produced are engineered and designed amazingly with art and prestige, with just merely carefully choosing appropriate parts, like <a href="http://www.eurobzparts.com/mercedes-benz-headlight-rim/" title="Mercedes Benz Headlight Rim">Mercedes Benz Headlight Rim</a>, coordinating with the fenders and spoilers, giving it the luxurious look that attracts a lot of customers which eventually get satisfied with its exceptional performance and precision. There are surely more of it from Mercedes.
0  out of 1 found this valuable. Do you?    
Keyword tags: None (edit keyword tags)

Related Content

  (what's this?Related ContentThanks to keyword tags, links to related pages and threads are added to the bottom of your pages. Up to 15 links are shown, determined by matching tags and by how recently the content was updated; keeping the most current at the top. Share your feedback on Wetpaint Central.)