Vienna, Austria - I was screaming my lungs out as I entered the streets of the Austrian capital. The Harman Kardon premium surround sound system was blasting techno rock, courtesy of Linkin' Park, through the open windows of my 2009 Mercedes-Benz CL550 luxury coupe. I was sure to garner a lot of attention.
But the calm and polite Viennese barely gave me a smile, probably because they thought I was just another crazy tourist. Yet, a number of them dared to gaze at the car and give their thumbs up. While I'm nowhere near the singer Chester Bennington is, the lines of the new CL are definitely worth admiring.
Aristocratic looks
While no significant exterior change defines the 2009 Mercedes-Benz CL, this car remains a classic. Smooth yet assertive lines combine with soft edges to create a package with a strong though subtle presence. That's what I like to call "charisma".
The arched roofline gracefully flows toward the back, while the hood stretches forward to meet a massive grille integrating the famous silver star. Completing the overall shape is a carbon copy of the S-Class sedan's rear end.
Inside, refinement is also the operative word. High-quality wood trim and leather upholstery highlight the interior, which houses supremely comfortable and supportive seats. The Drive-Dynamic seat system even allows you to adjust the side bolsters depending on the sharpness of turns in the road. The resulting driving position is flawless.
The instruments are identical to those found in the S-Class and they use the very latest technology in video display. The information is easy to read, especially in the middle of the dashboard thanks to the COMAND APS system. Everything is easy to grasp at first glance.
Technology galore
As a matter of fact, the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class represents the pinnacle of technology. In addition to the accurate navigation system, which I found more user-friendly than the CLS four-door coupe's despite the big rotary dial between the front seats, this car is loaded with advanced features to enhance the comfort and, more importantly, the safety of passengers.
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| A strong though subtle presence. |
But the calm and polite Viennese barely gave me a smile, probably because they thought I was just another crazy tourist. Yet, a number of them dared to gaze at the car and give their thumbs up. While I'm nowhere near the singer Chester Bennington is, the lines of the new CL are definitely worth admiring.
Aristocratic looks
While no significant exterior change defines the 2009 Mercedes-Benz CL, this car remains a classic. Smooth yet assertive lines combine with soft edges to create a package with a strong though subtle presence. That's what I like to call "charisma".
The arched roofline gracefully flows toward the back, while the hood stretches forward to meet a massive grille integrating the famous silver star. Completing the overall shape is a carbon copy of the S-Class sedan's rear end.
Inside, refinement is also the operative word. High-quality wood trim and leather upholstery highlight the interior, which houses supremely comfortable and supportive seats. The Drive-Dynamic seat system even allows you to adjust the side bolsters depending on the sharpness of turns in the road. The resulting driving position is flawless.
The instruments are identical to those found in the S-Class and they use the very latest technology in video display. The information is easy to read, especially in the middle of the dashboard thanks to the COMAND APS system. Everything is easy to grasp at first glance.
Technology galore
As a matter of fact, the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class represents the pinnacle of technology. In addition to the accurate navigation system, which I found more user-friendly than the CLS four-door coupe's despite the big rotary dial between the front seats, this car is loaded with advanced features to enhance the comfort and, more importantly, the safety of passengers.
 |
| The Mercedes-Benz CL-Class is loaded with features to enhance passenger safety. |