CL-Class showcases world class technology, safety
Mercedes call it the CL- Class. It's a sinewy and sleek coupe with the aggressive lines of a high-performance Autobahn missile and the stately
good looks of a Mercedes. It's been redesigned and updated for 2007 to follow the good looks of the new S-Class which will be hitting the streets this fall.
The complete body upgrade looks altogether more modern and elegant than the predecessor, and the interior has been upgraded as well. New control panels and gauges are fitted, and new technology is incorporated into the audio and navigation system. Everything about the interior of the new CL says "sit down and enjoy", Mercedes says. Additionally, fewer buttons are fitted to the interior in favor of a COMMAND system which allows quick access to more common features by way of a controller mounted to the centre console or steering wheel. Think I-Drive or MMI.
The interior is available with five color schemes and a selection of fine wood trim. There are even new multi-contour seats which have nine individual air pockets for the ultimate control over personal comfort.
The new interior is certainly packed with the latest and greatest technology the premier German automaker has to offer, but there is plenty of additional hardware at work which is not visible at first glance.
Mercedes' Active Body Control system (ABC) is now in its next generation and better than ever at eliminating the tradeoff between dynamic performance and comfort. Sensors mounted at each corner work with split-second precision to eliminate body pitching which results from
take-off or braking, and the system even lowers the car at higher speeds to increase handling stability and reduce drag. The system matches the body-dampening seamlessly to any situation, with no driver input required.
An Intelligent Lighting System takes the standard active headlight setup being adopted by automakers and brings it one step further. There are five different functions that allow the ultimate in nighttime illumination and safe driving, including a motorway mode which is active over 90 kph and has a beam pattern optimized for highway driving. There is also a country road mode, which enhances the lighting on the drivers side edge of the road.
The increases in safety provided by the Intelligent Lighting System are undeniable, but the Pre-Safe braking system is equally as impressive. It applies brakes, closes windows and even moves seats as needed in anticipation of an impact or collision to keep occupants safe.
Two new engines are available, the first being a 388 horsepower V8 for CL500 duty. The new unit represents a 26 percent increase in output over
the former V8. Drivers can expect 0-100 kph in about 5.4 seconds. A twin-turbo V-12 engine is also available with 517 horsepower for the CL600. This model rockets from 0-100 in 4.6 seconds (0.2 seconds less than the former model) and manages better fuel economy as well.
Mercedes has been leading the way with large coupes for over 50 years, and with the addition of such incredible technologies for 2007, they'll have no trouble leading the way for 50 more.
Mercedes call it the CL- Class. It's a sinewy and sleek coupe with the aggressive lines of a high-performance Autobahn missile and the stately
 |
| (Photo: DaimlerChrysler) |
The complete body upgrade looks altogether more modern and elegant than the predecessor, and the interior has been upgraded as well. New control panels and gauges are fitted, and new technology is incorporated into the audio and navigation system. Everything about the interior of the new CL says "sit down and enjoy", Mercedes says. Additionally, fewer buttons are fitted to the interior in favor of a COMMAND system which allows quick access to more common features by way of a controller mounted to the centre console or steering wheel. Think I-Drive or MMI.
 |
| (Photo: DaimlerChrysler) |
The new interior is certainly packed with the latest and greatest technology the premier German automaker has to offer, but there is plenty of additional hardware at work which is not visible at first glance.
Mercedes' Active Body Control system (ABC) is now in its next generation and better than ever at eliminating the tradeoff between dynamic performance and comfort. Sensors mounted at each corner work with split-second precision to eliminate body pitching which results from
 |
| (Photo: DaimlerChrysler) |
An Intelligent Lighting System takes the standard active headlight setup being adopted by automakers and brings it one step further. There are five different functions that allow the ultimate in nighttime illumination and safe driving, including a motorway mode which is active over 90 kph and has a beam pattern optimized for highway driving. There is also a country road mode, which enhances the lighting on the drivers side edge of the road.
The increases in safety provided by the Intelligent Lighting System are undeniable, but the Pre-Safe braking system is equally as impressive. It applies brakes, closes windows and even moves seats as needed in anticipation of an impact or collision to keep occupants safe.
Two new engines are available, the first being a 388 horsepower V8 for CL500 duty. The new unit represents a 26 percent increase in output over
 |
| (Photo: DaimlerChrysler) |
Mercedes has been leading the way with large coupes for over 50 years, and with the addition of such incredible technologies for 2007, they'll have no trouble leading the way for 50 more.
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