Mercedes C215 CL-Class 2000 – 2006
Mercedes-Benz C215 CL Class 2000 – 2006
All Mercedes-Benz C140 CL-Class and S-Class coupés since 1998 were replaced with the introduction of the luxurious grand tourer.
The earlier versions of W215 were fabricated between 2000 and 2003, further upgraded by the addition of the 500 HP double-turbocharged 5.5 litre V12.
The CL class is a full-sized grand tourer. The CL stands for Light Comfort derived from Comfort Leicht in German language.
The adjective follows the noun in the German Language. This model was categorised as a CL-Class model.
The initial models between 2000 and 2003 were the CL 500, CL 600, CL55 AMG and the CL63 AMG having the engines as 5.0L V8, 5.8 L V12,5.5L V8 and 6.3L V12 respectively.
They were powered by engines in the range of 225 kW to 327kW achieving top speeds of 250km/h or 155 mph.
The later models after 2003 had their top speeds at 250 km/h or 155 mph too, which were electronically limited.
The CL 500, CL 600, CL55 AMG and the CL63 AMG now replaced engines as 5.0L V8, Turbocharged 5.5 L V12 , Supercharged 5.5L V8 and BITurbocharged 6.0 L V12 respectively.
The engine powers were now in the range of 225Kw to 450kW though.
Grand tourers are front-engine with rear-wheel drive and are larger and heavier vehicles. They are designed more for comfort than outright performance, the front-engine lending more space for the cabin.
The softer suspensions cater for greater storage space making travel more luxurious and generating driving appeal.
They differ from the standard two-seat sports car by compromising in direct performance but at the same time are comparable in speed, acceleration and torque ability leading as supercars.
Initially these models have been derived from the SL-Class roadster (SL meaning Sport Leicht or Sport Light) which refers to the marketing variations of the vehicles.
The various engine configurations outlined above span five design generations.
The new Mercedes-Benz CL: launch date and prices
- Unchanged prices coupled with significantly more standard equipment
- Fascinating design and technology innovations
- Active Body Control (ABC) standard-fitted for the first time worldwide
- New V12 engine with 270 kW/367 hp output and cylinder cut-off
Stuttgart. The innovative Mercedes coupe had its world première at the Geneva Motor Show. Now sales of this flagship model across the European Mercedes-Benz sales organization are about to start.
Prices (including sales tax) for the new CL 500 and CL 600 models attest to the consistent continuation of the value-for-money strategy which Mercedes-Benz has been following for years, to the benefit of its customers: although standard equipment has been significantly expanded, the CL 500 retails at 175,392 marks (), i.e. at the same price as that charged for its predecessor.
The CL 600 is priced at 224,228 marks (), actually costing less than the predecessor. The CL 500 will be available from October 1999, with the CL 600 on sale from early 2000.
”The new CL adds a further highlight to the passenger car range of the Mercedes-Benz marque. This coupe is the fascinating result of the same development philosophy which has already proven successful in the new S-Class: agility and elegance in its styling are paired with technical highlights.
With this concept the CL holds high the tradition of its timeless forebears from the 1960s and 1980s” says Professor Jürgen Hubbert, member of the Board of Management of DaimlerChrysler AG and responsible for the Mercedes Passenger Car Division.
Exquisite equipment
The standard equipment of the new big coupe includes among other items a comprehensive safety pack comprising front and sidebags for the front seats as well as windowbags, plus ESP, ASR, ABS, BAS, innovative bi-xenon headlamps with integral cleaning system as well as the Parktronic system.
Multifunction steering wheel, adjustable steering column, five-speed automatic transmission with one-touch gearshift and Speedtronic, automatic climate control with activated charcoal filter, power-adjustable leather seats with memory,
MB Audio 30 radio, leather trimmed instrument panel and doors as well as fine wood trim all underscore the flagship role of this coupe model.
On the range-topping CL 600, additional features including the control and display system COMAND, telephone, Bose sound system, exclusive napa leather upholstery as well as pillar and roof trim in soft Alcantara emphasize the very special class of this automobile.
Three letters for a world first: ABC – Active Body Control
The Mercedes-coupe boasts innovations as standard which no other automobile worldwide can match. Above all there is the innovative suspension system Active Body Control (ABC), which provides a new dimension in ride comfort and driving dynamics.
On the basis of sensor signals and with the aid of special hydraulic cylinders on the wheels, ABC can compensate so effectively for body roll and pitching when pulling away, during cornering and braking that they are virtually eliminated. The result is a totally new driving experience.
”The CL is nothing less than the Mercedes-Benz top model”, says Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Member of the Board of Management of DaimlerChrysler AG, responsible for Sales.
Performance and Comfort in Abundance: New twelve-cylinder power plant
The engines which Mercedes-Benz offers for the coupe provide all the performance which the CL’s design promises: the flagship CL 600 is powered by the newly developed, smooth-running twelve-cylinder engine producing 270 kW/367 hp and a maximum torque of 530 Newton-meters.
Lightweight design, three-valves-per-cylinder technology, dual-ignition system with phase-shifted, AC ignition and ion current diagnosis, automatic cylinder cut-out, six catalytic converters and eight oxygen sensors are just a few examples of the sophisticated technical features of this advanced power unit.
The CL 500 comes equipped with the 225 kW/306 hp V8 engine.
New dimensions for enhanced dynamics: reduced overall size and weight
Exemplary aerodynamics (cd-value 0.28), consistent lightweight construction and a new dimensional concept are further characteristics of the Mercedes-Benz CL.
A modern hybrid concept which allows for the use of different lightweight materials such as aluminum, magnesium, steel and plastics provides a weight saving of up to 340 kilograms compared with the predecessor model.
New-look front and powerful V12 engine for the 2003 model year
- Autumn 2002 model update for top Mercedes Coupé
- Bi-xenon headlamps with contemporary clear-lens design
- New 500 hp V12 biturbo engine
- Enhanced occupant protection with new sensor system
- Even more exclusive interior appointments
Its lines express elegance and dynamism while its high-tech innovations make driving safer and even more enjoyable for the 2003 model year the successful Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Coupé once again sets new standards in the areas of design and technology.
Featuring a subtly updated body, an even more exclusive interior and state-of-the-art technology, the latest version of this top coupé will be appearing in the showrooms of Mercedes-Benz branches and dealerships this autumn.
The most striking features which characterise this superb coupé are the updated twin headlamp face with its clear-lens design and the restyled front bumper which gives the car an even more powerful presence.
The housings of the exterior mirrors have also been modified and now include exit lighting which switches on automatically to illuminate the area next to the vehicle when the doors are opened or when the remote-control central locking system is activated. This feature enhances passenger safety and comfort when getting in and out of the car.
The elegant character of the coupé is further reinforced by the tail-lamps whose brilliance is enhanced by the redesigned glass covers.
368 kW/500 hp output takes the CL 600 from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds
A newly developed twelve-cylinder biturbo engine puts the CL-Class Coupé in the same power category as thoroughbred sports cars.
The V12 powerplant in the CL 600 generates 368 kW/500 hp and develops a maximum torque of 800 Newtonmetres from 1800 rpm with a boost pressure of 1 bar.
This means that this state-of-the-art 5.5 litre unit exceeds the power output of the previous Mercedes twelve-cylinder engine by some 36 percent while its torque figure is a remarkable 51 percent higher.
With all this power under the bonnet, the CL 600 accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds (predecessor: 6.1 seconds). The maximum speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h.
In addition to its biturbo system, the new V12 boasts an impressive array of technological innovations including a special low-temperature circuit with two water-cooled charge-air coolers, three valves per cylinder as well as AC dual ignition with continuous ionic current diagnosis for optimum ignition functionality.
Thanks to its state-of-the-art engine technology and the effective emission control system featuring two catalytic converters mounted on the firewall, the new Mercedes twelve-cylinder engine already meets the strict EU 4 emission standard which comes into force in 2005.
The fuel consumption of the CL 600 is 14.7 litres per 100 kilometres (NEDC combined).
CL 55 AMG: top sports performance from new supercharged V8 engine
From autumn 2002, the CL 55 AMG high-performance Coupé will be powered by the mighty 5.5 litre supercharged V8 unit developed by Mercedes-AMG.
This engine also has an output of 368 kW/500 hp and accelerates the coupé from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds thanks to its 700 Newtonmetres of torque (from 2750 rpm).
A five-speed automatic transmission with racing-style steering-wheel shift controls completes the total sporting experience aboard the new CL 55 AMG.
The 225 kW/306 hp V8 engine for the CL 500 remains unchanged.
Active Body Control: even more precise with automatic load compensation
All engine variants of the CL-Class Coupé are equipped as standard with a landmark in advanced automotive technology: Active Body Control (ABC).
Developed by Mercedes-Benz, this unique system adjusts the suspension and damping settings to the current driving situation second by second and so reduces body movement – when accelerating, cornering or braking – to a minimum.
Furthermore, the engineers in Sindelfingen have developed an additional system for the 2003 model-year CL-Class Coupé which constantly monitors the total weight of the vehicle.
This information is taken into account in the calculations performed by the Active Body Control system. As a result, the handling is even more dynamic and is largely unaffected by the vehicle load.
Safety: accident situation and passenger weight determine airbag deployment profile
With safety features including a two-stage passenger airbag, windowbags and sidebags, seat belt tensioners and belt force limiters as well as automatic child-seat recognition, the CL-Coupé already represented the benchmark in the field of occupant protection in its category when it entered series production in autumn 1999.
From the 2003 model year, Mercedes-Benz is extending the coupé’s innovative safety equipment with the addition of two front-mounted satellite sensors which permit early detection of the severity of an accident and, as a result, the appropriate degree of inflation of the two-stage passenger airbag.
Furthermore, the satellite sensors also allow the seat belt tensioners to be triggered at an even earlier stage, thereby ensuring optimum occupant restraint in an impact.
Another new safety feature is the automatic weight classification of the passenger by means of a special measuring foil in the seat cushion.
This ensures that the two-stage passenger airbag is triggered in accordance not only with the severity of the accident, but also with the weight of the passenger, too.
Interior: stylishly enhanced details
From autumn 2002 the exclusive interior of the CL-Class Coupé will benefit from enhancements to various details within the context of a sensitive update programme undertaken by Mercedes designers.
The changes are clear as soon as one gets into the coupé.
The centre console has attractively redesigned switches, while the size of the colour display (16:9 image format ) for the standard COMAND unit with its integral radio and CD player has been increased to 6.5 inches.
High-tech coupe CL 55 AMG “F1 Limited Edition”: Innovative super-sportscar, the first with ceramic brakes
- Mercedes-Benz leader in innovation: High-performance ceramic brakes
- Ultra-short braking distances and peak braking performance of approx. 2000 hp
- Weight reduction brings even more dynamism and driving enjoyment
- Limited edition of 55 with highly exclusive appointments
Stuttgart – The Mercedes-Benz CL 55 AMG “F1 Limited Edition” is the world’s first roadgoing automobile to be equipped with an ultra-high-performance ceramic braking system.
The engineers at DaimlerChrysler AG and Mercedes-AMG GmbH have developed internally ventilated brake discs made from fiber-reinforced ceramics for this unique high-performance coupe.
The use of ceramic brakes in the CL is part of a pilot project with a view to offering this technology early next year as optional equipment for the S and CL 55 AMG models.
The model on which this stunning special edition is based is world renowned in the field of Formula 1 as the CL 55 AMG safety car.
In line with the thoughts of twice Formula 1 World Champion Mika Häkkinen – “The most important thing in a sportscar is not the engine, but the brakes” – the ceramic braking system not only ensures ultra-short braking distances but also an extremely sensitive response.
Other key properties include a high resistance to heat and continuous stresses, low maintenance and a long operating life.
When emergency braking from maximum speed, a braking performance of approx. 2000 hp is generated at the front axle.
Another advantage of this technology, which is completely new to series-production cars, is the significantly lower weight of the brake discs.
Each disc weighs approximately six kilograms less than its steel equivalent.
The noticeable reduction of unsprung masses results in improved dynamics and greater driving enjoyment. With this ceramic brake DaimlerChrysler AG once again asserts its leading position worldwide in the development of ground-breaking automotive technologies.
The Mercedes-Benz CL 55 AMG “F1 Limited Edition” with the new high-performance braking system will be produced in a particularly exclusive limited edition of 55.
Carbon-fiber-reinforced ceramic composite: Numerous advantages
The new front brake discs of carbon-fiber-reinforced ceramics are approx. 60 percent lighter in weight than comparable brake discs of conventional cast iron.
This significantly reduces the unsprung masses, with a noticeable improvement in driving dynamics.
By virtue of these lighter brake discs the steering of the CL 55 AMG “F1 Limited Edition” is also more responsive and precise. The significant weight advantage also has a positive effect on suspension comfort.
However, these are by no means the only the advantages to be obtained from the high-performance ”C-BRAKE”, which was first shown in the Mercedes-Benz SLR super-sportscar in 1999.
The new material also exhibits a very high temperature stability. The maximum temperature load is up to 1400 degrees Celsius.
This provides a level of safety when braking from high speeds which was previously unknown in series-production cars.
The extremely low thermal expansion of the ceramic brake also reduces juddering when the brakes are hot. Brake squeal and juddering when cold – two familiar characteristics of cast iron discs – are also considerably reduced with the ceramic brake.
The extremely long operating life of up to 300,000 kilometers and the low maintenance also speak for the new, absolutely corrosion-free ceramic brake discs.
But it is not only the internally ventilated ceramic brake discs that are responsible for the uniquely sensitive response and very short braking distances of the ceramic brakes of the CL 55 AMG “F1 Limited Edition”: eight-piston brake calipers which were specially developed for this fast high-performance coupe by the Formula 1 supplier Brembo reliably ensure the necessary deceleration.
The design of these calipers was specifically tailored to the fiber-reinforced brake discs. The anti-lock braking system ABS, Brake Assist and the Electronic Stability Program were also carefully adapted to the new braking system.
Development and production: Basic research and racing know-how
During the development of the ceramic braking system the findings on high-performance carbon brakes gained by AMG technicians in touring car and GT motorsport were every bit as important as the results of basic testing carried out by DaimlerChrysler researchers.
In the production of ceramic brake discs, carbon fibers, powdered carbon and resin are pressed into shape under high pressure and baked at 1000 degrees Celsius.
After cooling, the brake disc is subjected to a brief machining process and treated with liquid silicon.
The carbon matrix absorbs the silicon like a sponge and their reaction forms a ceramic. The patented production of these innovative brake discs is carried out according to the strictest quality standards by highly-qualified specialists at the DaimlerChrysler plant in Esslingen-Mettingen near Stuttgart.
Exclusive appointments emphasize the link with motorsport
The unique character of the Mercedes-Benz CL 55 AMG “F1 Limited Edition” with ceramic brakes is also emphasized by the particularly exclusive equipment and appointments.
Equipped with a 5.5-liter, 265 kW/360 hp V8 engine and available only with brilliant silver metallic paintwork, the limited-edition top-class coupe has exquisite AMG styling and presents a very striking appearance.
8.5-inch (front) and 9.5-inch (rear) wide, 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels with 255/40 ZR 19 tires at the front and 285/35 ZR 19 tires at the rear underline the car’s uncompromisingly sporty nature.
The reduced offset of the AMG wheels optimizes the track widths, and in conjunction with the widened rear fenders this lends the CL 55 AMG an even more imposing appearance.
The high-performance wide-base tires of type “S-02 Pole Position” are supplied by the Japanese McLaren-Mercedes Formula 1 partner Bridgestone.
Particularly dynamic handling is also ensured by the sporty configuration of the ABC suspension, which has won several awards.
In addition to the “F1 Limited Edition” lettering on the front fenders, the interior of this exclusive Mercedes coupe also features cues from the motor racing activities of Mercedes-Benz. Numerous special characteristics distinguish the CL 55 AMG “F1 Limited Edition”, which is available only in brilliant silver metallic, from its series-production counterpart:
- “F1 Limited Edition” lettering on the center console, with consecutive numbering
- Illuminated entry sills with “F1 Limited Edition” lettering
- Front seats of ultra-sporty design with optimum lateral support, black/silver leather upholstery and embroidered AMG logo
- AMG sport steering wheel with perforated leather wrap
- Carbon decorative trim
- Automatic shift lever in leather-carbon combination
- Floor mats with AMG logo
The Mercedes-Benz CL 55 AMG “F1 Limited Edition” may be ordered now and will be delivered to its 55 customers in the fall of this year. The innovative coupe costs DM 330,000 (incl. 16 % VAT).
