2011 Mercedes CL In Details

The new redesigned Mercedes CL for 2011 is ready to hit the market, but it has got kinda overshadowed by the introduction of the new generation CLS.

So to remind us how good a car the CL is, Mercedes released further detailed info about this fab coupe and its magnificent engines.

The car will launch with three engine options. There’s the CL500 BlueEFFICIENCY starting from 118,346 euros which combines performance and efficiency, the CL 500 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCY from 123,463 euros which for the first time in this class gets all-wheel-drive system, and the uber-lux CL 600 V12 priced from 162,792 euros.

Design: a muscular, self-assured presence

The exterior appearance of the new CL generation is characterised by the terse profile of the bonnet, the dynamic V-shape radiator grille and the curving headlamps – design details that discreetly but effectively emphasise the car’s elegant yet powerful lines.

The front bumper, too, presents a new design with three air intake openings and a chrome trim strip. An LED strip with chrome surround for the daytime running lamps is elegantly integrated in the side openings for the brake cooling air. With their standard-fit Intelligent Light System (ILS) and Adaptive Highbeam Assist, the headlamps offer state-of-the-art illumination technology. The latest LED technology in the turn indicators and position marker lamps rounds off the car’s advanced image. The rear of the vehicle is characterised by the newly-designed tail lights.

New V8 biturbo engine with innovative technology

The new-generation CL also assumes a pioneering role in the drive system sector. Under the bonnet of the CL 500 BlueEFFICIENCY and CL 500 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCY a new V8 biturbo engine with BlueDIRECT technology delivers its impressive power. With its 4663 cubic centimetres displacement, the eight-cylinder engine produces 320 kW (435 hp) so that despite 0.8 litres less displacement, it is still around 12 percent more powerful than its predecessor, which had an output of 285 kW (388 hp). At the same time, torque was raised from 530 Nm to 700 Nm – an increase of 32 percent. Combined consumption in the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), on the other hand, drops by around 22 percent to 9.5 litres of premium petrol per 100 kilometres for the rear-wheel drive version. CO2 emissions consequently sink from 288 grams per kilometre to 224 grams per kilometre. The CL 500 BlueEFFICIENCY requires a mere 4.9 seconds to accelerate from a standstill to 100 km/h (previous model: 5.4 seconds). Summing up: the CL 500 BlueEFFICIENCY is significantly more agile, torquey and thriftier than its predecessor.

Interior: carefully selected materials and first-class finish

In the interior, too, Mercedes-Benz developers and designers perfected the CL paying careful attention to detail. A total of four different kinds of fine wood open up the possibilities for perfectly matched material and colour concepts according to personal taste: apart from light and dark high-gloss burr walnut, there is black ash and brown high-gloss poplar (CL 600). Another particularity: in line with the central importance awarded to the concept of sustainability within the Mercedes-Benz corporate philosophy, the CL employs only European wood from renewable forestry sources. Most of the wood parts are hand-made and matched individually for colour and grain by experienced craftsmen.
The seat covers of the new CL are of the most exquisite quality. For this luxury model there are two different kinds of leather available which thanks to their low pre-tensioning and consequent wrinkle effect appear supple and comfortable from the very first glance. There is a choice of five tasteful colour combinations for the vehicle interior: black/black, savannah beige/cashmere beige, sahara beige/black, and the novel combinations alpaca grey/basalt grey and aubergine/black.

The multifunction steering wheel of the CL has also been modified by the Mercedes-Benz designers: the rim and airbag module are lined with soft nappa leather as standard. The new, flatter airbag module also lends a sporty touch to the multifunction steering wheel covered in leather sewn with sophisticated double stitching.

Apart from this, Mercedes-Benz makes more use of light as a styling element in the vehicle interior. In future customers who specify the optional ambient lighting (standard for the CL 600) have a choice between three lighting moods: solar (amber), neutral (white) and polar (ice-blue).