2019 Mercedes-Benz CL550

2019 Mercedes-Benz CL550

The 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class arrives with a host of technical improvements and styling enhancements aimed at keeping this flagship coupe on the leading edge of luxury self-expression. And in the posh zip codes where CLs are found, that starts with styling. The lower fascia with triple air intakes incorporates fashionable LED daytime running lamp strips, while a V-shaped grille opening flanked by sweeping Bi-Xenon headlights leads to a dramatic hood profile with tiered fenders. A deeply carved character line sweeps along the doors and into the muscular rear flanks. The simple arching roofline accentuates the pillarless coupe design. Redesigned LED tail lamps and bumper-integrated exhaust tips clean up the rear view but some of our crew feel the back end still looks too pinched. Inside, the CL is all-day comfortable for four occupants with supple leather seating and a wrap-around cockpit-style layout. Wood trim is hand-matched and selected from renewable sources. The multi-function steering wheel now incorporates a flatter airbag module.

And the COMAND system now offers split-view screens for driver and passenger. A raft of high-tech wizardry, including adaptive high-beam assist, blind-spot monitoring, Night View Assist pedestrian detection, and anti-drowsiness Attention Assist systems are available. Aside from luxury, the second part of the Grand Touring equation has to do with power. To that end, Mercedes has spooled up a pair of new powerplants, and now all four CL engine offerings boast twin-turbo power. The 4.7-liter V8 under the hood of our CL550 tester pumps out 492 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. Both figures are up from last year's 5.5 liter normally-aspirated V8. Also new is the CL63 AMG's 5.5-liter V8, rated at 536 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. But those figures jump to 563 horsepower and 664 pound-feet with the AMG Performance Package. Both engines feature direct gas injection and multi-spark ignition. CL550 power hits the ground through all four wheels by way of a 7-speed transmission that's been heavily revised to improve shift comfort and fuel efficiency.

When pressed hard, the CL550 4MATIC will sprint to 60 miles-per-hour in a scant 4.4 seconds and churn through the quarter mile in 12.8 seconds at a speed of 112 miles per hour. Off-the-line power is strong with an immediate rush of turbo boost. Smooth power delivery and silky shifts, along with the muted exhaust note, may mask the true sporty nature of this big coupe. But make no mistake, it has the goods to really get up and move! In keeping with its country cruiser mission, handling is good for a heavy car, but not razor-sharp. Body roll was much in evidence in our slalom test and lane change maneuvers, with plenty of electronic nannying to keep us firmly on the straight and narrow. The 2011 CL550 4MATIC achieves government fuel economy ratings of 15 city and 23 on the highway, improved enough to now avoid the gas guzzler tax. In everyday driving, expect 18 on premium gas. By every measure, the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL550 leaps ahead of its previous self and again raises the standard for other personal luxury coupes to strive for. Steeped in the Grand Touring tradition, yet embracing the latest technical innovations and leading-edge style, the CL-class is enthusiastic motoring at its finest.

Although they had to slide past the folded front seat, they found entry and exit easy, thanks to the long doors and automatic slide-forward front seats. While some critics have noted that exceptionally long doors might be a hindrance in parking lots, we suspect that the owners of a CL550 would say that if valet parking isn't available, they simply wouldn't go. And why the beautifully-designed little keypad hidden under its own little chrome and leather lid on the center console? Who uses a keypad these days? Anyone worth calling should already be in the directory, which can be voice-activated. Here's an idea: redesign the cute little compartment to hold an iPhone and license the Ford Sync system as an interface. The Mercedes CL550 is a special car for people who are not concerned about presenting a particular image to the rest of the world, but derive satisfaction from being surrounded with beautiful things that are well-made. When they seek performance and quality, these owners want it on their own terms, and expect it to be provided as unobtrusively as possible. With this upgraded CL550, or with its more powerful cousin, the CL600, Mercedes does an incomparable job of satisfying these desires. After driving the CL550 for a week, on the last day we agreed we could easily get used to this. When the car was driven away, and we were left with a family sedan to test drive, we came back to earth. So long to Fred and Ginger; hello Ozzie and Harriett!