Used 2007 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class

Perhaps perfection has its limits, but Mercedes-Benz believes differently and proves it with the redesign of its flagship two-door, four-seater CL550. Along with the cachet that comes with driving this $100,00-plus coupe is the acknowledgement that its fluid, flowing lines are accompanied by superb V8 performance and one of the most dazzling arrays of hi-tech equipment ever packed into a single vehicle. The successful entrepreneur’s dream car, the CL550 is neither showy nor obviously exotic. It demonstrates you’ve arrived at the serious end of capitalism, and offers the visionary leader who likes to call all the shots a COMAND brain that, with a button on the console to press or rotate, can set a myriad of personal function preferences, including suspension settings. Other CL models include the twin-turbo V12 CL600 and the CL63 AMG.

Standard driving practices are not applicable to the CL550. By allowing the driver to pre-set dozens of preferences, the COMAND system can tailor the car to an individual driving style and preferred comfort level. The result is one of the best combinations of ride and handling we’ve ever experienced. Even at high speeds the car glides as smoothly as a Venetian gondola, the transmission traveling seamlessly through its seven gears. The active body control suspension is especially effective, hydraulically adjusting all four wheels depending upon driving situations. You can also electronically set following distance and lane changing, but the system is not infallible and may very well not detect vehicles not in its sightline. Even cross-traffic at a light can confuse Distronic Plus (see Owner’s Manual, p. 428).

Luxury abounds door-to-door, floor-to-roof, from the high-gloss wood trim to the small silver dashboard clock elegant enough to wear as a dress watch. The leather-trimmed aviation-style cockpit is separated by a wide center console that holds the COMAND controller. The monitor for GPS, satellite radio, emergency calls and other functions crowns the instrument area and also displays Park, Neutral, Reverse and Drive after you’ve shifted the small, delicate shift lever on the steering wheel. The rear seats are full-sized, but legroom might be snug if the front occupants require anything more than average legroom.

Mercedes-Benz is to be congratulated for the restraint of the stunning, sporty restyling of its flagship line. The roofline sweeps smoothly from windshield to rear window without the interruption of a B-pillar. The two heavy doors open exceptionally wide, and Mercedes-Benz has figured out a clever electronic assistance for smaller persons, who may have difficulty in reaching out to close them. The signature grille and fender flares are toned down by the understated wedged body design, and the integrated trunk lid rounds off the aerodynamic styling at which the German manufacturer excels.

Drive-Dynamic Seats
When driving around curves and corners, the seat side bolsters automatically inflate to steady the body from hip to armpit. The twistier the road, the more insistent the air pressure.

COMAND
Complex until thoroughly understood, it is the brains behind the CL550’s entertainment, GPS, radio, communications and component settings systems. Via the controller "mouse," menus are displayed on an eight-inch pivoting screen.

In addition to the long list of standard equipment one expects in a premium luxury car, the CL550 stands out for its improved COMAND system. Performance and handling features include an adaptive gearshift, programmable suspension, Parktronic, hands-free phone system, an electronic trunk closer, an electronic stability control system and steering wheel shift buttons. Among the nine airbags is a full-length head protection curtain.

Distronic Plus is a programmable cruise control system with two onboard radar sensors to detect slower-moving vehicles ahead, reducing speed by adjusting the throttle and providing audio and onscreen warnings. It will even brake the car to a complete stop if necessary. Brake Assist Plus warns of imminent rear collisions, and Park Assist is radar-controlled. A new option is Night View Assist, which illuminates the road up to 500-feet ahead with infrared light and displays the view on a high-resolution screen in the instrument cluster. Among packaged options is the AMG Sport Package, and the Premium I and II Sport Packages that include a rearview monitor, ventilated and dynamic front seats, the Night View Assist, keyless entry and other equipment.

Under the CL550’s hood dwells a demon of an engine, yet the 5.5-liter V8 is extremely quiet as it purrs out 382 horsepower. Zero-to-60 mph is achieved in 5.4 seconds, an improvement of one second over its predecessor and a result of 26-percent more power. The seven-speed gearbox enables the coupe to maximize fuel economy and increases the pace of the transmission’s reaction time. In Sport Mode the active suspension automatically lowers the car more than a half-inch to reduce lean in the corners.

5.5-liter V8
382 horsepower @ 6000 rpm
391 lb.-ft. torque @ 3000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/22