Review: Mercedes Benz CL500

Ushering in the seventh generation of large Mercedes Coupes, the new CL is the culmination of more than 50 years of coupe tradition and highlights some of the technology we’ll one day see across the rest of the Mercedes range. As the German carmaker’s flagship model, the CL comes with enough electronic gadgetry to keep owners ahead of the game for at least the next five years, and an interior that would make residents of the seven-star Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai envious. After all, it wouldn’t be a Mercedes flagship without the latest in over-engineered safety features, a swanky cow-skin and tree interior and the knowledge that you’re driving one of the largest coupes on the market today.

The mega-Mercedes has grown in almost every dimension over the previous version, which itself was already as long as a hearse. Retaining the iconic pillar-less glasshouse and sloping roofline, the new model is instantly recognizable as a CL. Its visual impact is one of confidence, power, and presence. Measuring more than five meters in length and close to two meters wide, it’s difficult to miss. However, all the extra girth, as well as the endless gadgets list, moves it ever closer to the two-ton curb weight of its bigger brother, the S-class. Despite its bulbous proportions, rear legroom is very tight. We’re talking about a car that’s only 4.8in shorter than the S, which has acres of legroom in the back. The rest of the interior is unmistakably Mercedes. Wood-grain panels at every corner and hand-stitched leather on most other surfaces looks dated compared to the more contemporary style found in the latest Audis and BMWs, but it’s still a great place to be.


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Bill - 2/2/2007 1:24:02 PM

+3 Boost

Good review overall. I didn't like this new design at first but I saw the car in person a few weeks ago and it is stunningly attractive. These things always tend to look better in person.

Now I wish BMW530i/CL550 was here to tell us how he's doing with his car. If memory serves me right, his looked almost like this one, except for the AMG body kit. I do believe he had AMG wheels though. Anyway to dig up that old thread?

A shame he was banned. He was one of the most intelligent members with informative posts and generally unbiased. A shame he lost his temper so quickly.

BMW530i/CL550, if you're reading this, come back, please.

S4cabriofoxone - 2/3/2007 10:15:58 AM

+1 Boost

Yes. And you're right about his CL- grey (it might have been Designo Mocha, because he briefly mentioned having Designo), AMG rims, beautiful.

Love the new CL.

BMW530i/CL550 should come back.

EL34 - 2/2/2007 2:38:38 PM

+2 Boost

I work with a guy that has a CL with the AMG package
and the I stare at the wheels everytime I see the car.

Amazing car.

S4cabriofoxone - 2/3/2007 10:16:33 AM

+1 Boost

Have you seen it in person? Even the standard version, which doesn't look at all good in pictures, looks amazing.

MunichRob - 2/2/2007 3:04:20 PM

+2 Boost

Why does it say CL500 on the back? Should it not be CL550?

Mercedes shouldn't have replaced the gearshift with the command controller, a coupe should always have a gearshift...Especially when it's available with 600hp V-12, they could have at least put manu-matic shift buttons on the wheel like in a 7-series.

Carboy - 2/2/2007 3:24:51 PM

+2 Boost

The european Mercedes all still say 500, the North American ones say 550, I'm not sure about Asia though.

S4cabriofoxone - 2/3/2007 10:18:31 AM

+1 Boost

How could you not know yet?

It's on the E, CLK, CLS and S-Class, too. MBEU realized that the suffix "500" was so prestigious in Europe that they couldn't get rid of it.

Of course, in America, we want the bigger badge. S/CL/CLK/CLS/E550 will do well.

Carboy - 2/2/2007 3:25:36 PM

+2 Boost

I wonder how 001 is enjoying his CL550.

S4cabriofoxone - 2/3/2007 10:19:35 AM

+1 Boost

He... doesn't have one. Does he?

I think you're thinking of BMW530i/CL550, who posted an article on taking delivery of his way back in November or something. He was booted off the website by 001 for no reason. We lament his loss.

Carboy - 2/2/2007 3:26:11 PM

+2 Boost

I mean how much 001 is enjoying his Mercedes CL550.

trd1 - 2/2/2007 5:42:55 PM

-3 Boost

did anybody notice after looking at the front pictures that the front headlights look exactly like the new ls460. hmmm take look at the pictures yourself and you will see resemblence.

Lexus - 2/2/2007 8:25:34 PM

-3 Boost

But at least the Lexus LS460 still sales in the U.S., unlike the VW Phaeton. The sales for the VW Paheaton was so Pathetic that VW remove it from the U.S. market;)

On the other hand, I think the MB CLS look better than the MB CL. The CLS is probably MB best car right now.

Rupert - 2/3/2007 7:48:55 PM

0 Boost

i wonder if the phaeton sold better in europe than the LS....and the LS does look like the Phaeton, and this CL does have similar headlights too.

enthusiastx11 - 2/4/2007 10:12:55 PM

+1 Boost

this article is about the mercedes CL coupe. not lexus. lexus does not even have a car in this segment. go back to commenting on lexus articles.

Lexus - 2/2/2007 8:26:42 PM

-1 Boost

correction, it Phaeton not paheaton

Lexus - 2/2/2007 8:36:12 PM

-2 Boost

If 5th Gear, says this CL500 is look like a Scion TC would you belief them? or the old Toyota Solara. No off course not, It look nothing like the Scion TC except the headlight look very similar. This is not MB bash; I'm just saying. Beautiful is in the eyes of the beholder.

Lexus - 2/2/2007 8:36:53 PM

-2 Boost

Correction: beauty is in the eyes of the beholder; or something like that.

Lexus

S4cabriofoxone - 2/3/2007 10:21:09 AM

+1 Boost

"Lexus", you talk about being childish in the Lexus threads, routinely arguing with German car fans about it.

Well, look at yourself, please.

Just leave the thread if you're going to be like this. We're here, cyber-drooling over the CL550. You have nothing constructive to say.

enthusiastx11 - 2/3/2007 10:17:50 PM

+1 Boost

absolutely stunning in person. nobody will mistake this car for anything less than a top of the line MB coupe. haven't had a chance to drive it yet, but a friend is awaiting delivery of his CL550. can't wait.

Agent63 - 2/4/2007 12:07:19 PM

+2 Boost

Your posts are getting real annoying there buddy. "A REAL MAN" won't discuss on how to be a 'real man' or what a 'real man' drives. Only a man who don't know how to be a 'real man' talks about how to become one.

Quit dreaming about cars and go get some education to perhaps get a career that may lead you to owning one of these fine engineered marvels. If only eh?

enthusiastx11 - 2/4/2007 10:15:24 PM

+1 Boost

your comments are ridiculous. stop making comparisons to cars that cost 1/3 as much. it makes no sense.

Agent63 - 2/4/2007 12:10:05 PM

+3 Boost

Lexus wrote:
But at least the Lexus LS460 still sales in the U.S., unlike the VW Phaeton. The sales for the VW Paheaton was so Pathetic that VW remove it from the U.S. market;)

On the other hand, I think the MB CLS look better than the MB CL. The CLS is probably MB best car right now.
----------------

Come on why do you have to add in your bits on the LS? This car has nothing to do with any Lexus because Lexus has no competitor to the CL. If LS was mentioned in this topic then by all means ramble on about your favorite car. But the title says "review:mercedes benz cl500", not "review:LS is better than the world IN MY OPINION".

dont spark another flame war on a topic that has nothing to do with anything else but Mercedes.

S4cabriofoxone - 2/4/2007 12:16:06 PM

+2 Boost

S4cabriofoxone1, if you hate German cars so much, I ask again why you chose my name to rip off? Why not another generic Lexus name like "lexusluver2222227"?

dm070 - 2/12/2007 1:37:12 PM

+1 Boost

Word has it that MB production messed up on a number of these cars that were shipped without satellite radios (listed on the window sticker as standard equipment). They are now trying to figure out what to do. Anybody else hear about this?