What is it?
2007 Mercedes-Benz CL550
What's special about it?
Watching the press conference, one would think the 2007 Mercedes-Benz CL550 wasn't anything special. It wasn't on stage or even next to the stage. We had to ask around just to find one, but it was worth the effort. The CL is the company's flagship coupe, so when a new one comes along it's usually packed with every last microchip in the Mercedes-Benz parts bin. It's not bad-looking, either.
For the 2007 CL550, Mercedes added its latest PreSafe crash-avoidance system, along with more powerful engines and extra passenger room inside. The new PreSafe system has the ability to sense an oncoming crash and apply the brakes if it thinks you're going to be a little late to the pedal. Sounds good, but it won't stop the car completely, so you're not off the hook just yet.
On the engine side, the CL550 gets the same 5.5-liter V8 found in the S-Class sedan. With 382 horsepower and seven speeds in the automatic transmission, Mercedes says the rear-wheel-drive CL550 will hit 60 mph in 5.4 seconds. Not bad considering it weighs nearly 4400 pounds, 242 more than the last CL. When asked what accounts for the added weight, Hans-Dieter Mulhaupt, vice president of program management for the CL, says it's one-third extra crash protection, one-third added luxury equipment and one-third heavier-duty performance hardware, like bigger brakes.
An advanced version of Mercedes' Active Body Control system uses coil springs and electronically adjustable shocks to keep the CL flat in the corners without the use of traditional antiroll bars. Dialing in Sport mode now not only realigns the suspension settings, it readjusts the transmission shift points and throttle mapping as well.
What Mulhaupt didn't mention was the CL's bigger size. It's 3 inches longer, three-quarters of an inch higher and a half-inch wider. The bigger dimensions helped lead designer Holger Hutzenlaub craft a more masculine look for the CL. "The previous generation was graceful but maybe a bit too timid," he told us. "I wanted this car to look a little more confident and purposeful." He wants to say "manly," but is careful not to sound offensive.
Inside, the CL mimics the S-Class almost exactly, which is no bad thing. Rear-seat passenger room is respectable, the materials are all high-quality and most of the controls are accessed by an iDrive-type controller on the console.
No pricing was announced, but expect at least $90K when it goes on sale later this year.
What's Edmunds' take?
If you want to catch the eye of shoppers on Rodeo Drive, the CL550 isn't your car. It's always been more about the drive, and this version doesn't appear to have strayed far from that formula. — Ed Hellwig
2007 Mercedes-Benz CL550
What's special about it?
Watching the press conference, one would think the 2007 Mercedes-Benz CL550 wasn't anything special. It wasn't on stage or even next to the stage. We had to ask around just to find one, but it was worth the effort. The CL is the company's flagship coupe, so when a new one comes along it's usually packed with every last microchip in the Mercedes-Benz parts bin. It's not bad-looking, either.
For the 2007 CL550, Mercedes added its latest PreSafe crash-avoidance system, along with more powerful engines and extra passenger room inside. The new PreSafe system has the ability to sense an oncoming crash and apply the brakes if it thinks you're going to be a little late to the pedal. Sounds good, but it won't stop the car completely, so you're not off the hook just yet.
On the engine side, the CL550 gets the same 5.5-liter V8 found in the S-Class sedan. With 382 horsepower and seven speeds in the automatic transmission, Mercedes says the rear-wheel-drive CL550 will hit 60 mph in 5.4 seconds. Not bad considering it weighs nearly 4400 pounds, 242 more than the last CL. When asked what accounts for the added weight, Hans-Dieter Mulhaupt, vice president of program management for the CL, says it's one-third extra crash protection, one-third added luxury equipment and one-third heavier-duty performance hardware, like bigger brakes.
An advanced version of Mercedes' Active Body Control system uses coil springs and electronically adjustable shocks to keep the CL flat in the corners without the use of traditional antiroll bars. Dialing in Sport mode now not only realigns the suspension settings, it readjusts the transmission shift points and throttle mapping as well.
What Mulhaupt didn't mention was the CL's bigger size. It's 3 inches longer, three-quarters of an inch higher and a half-inch wider. The bigger dimensions helped lead designer Holger Hutzenlaub craft a more masculine look for the CL. "The previous generation was graceful but maybe a bit too timid," he told us. "I wanted this car to look a little more confident and purposeful." He wants to say "manly," but is careful not to sound offensive.
Inside, the CL mimics the S-Class almost exactly, which is no bad thing. Rear-seat passenger room is respectable, the materials are all high-quality and most of the controls are accessed by an iDrive-type controller on the console.
No pricing was announced, but expect at least $90K when it goes on sale later this year.
What's Edmunds' take?
If you want to catch the eye of shoppers on Rodeo Drive, the CL550 isn't your car. It's always been more about the drive, and this version doesn't appear to have strayed far from that formula. — Ed Hellwig
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