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2009 MERCEDES-BENZ CL550 Heavyweight Luxury, Comfort and Stature
Mike Blake,
Wednesday, May 20 2009
The Third-generation Mercedes-Benz CL-class more than lives
up to its alpha-iconic name, in fact it overpowers it. The German automaker
chose the CL-class name for the Germanic slogan: “Comfort Leicht,” which
translates to “Comfort Light” in English. After driving the lush and plush
4650-lb. 2009 CL550, it is obvious that neither the comfort level nor the
curbweight are light … the Mercedes-Benz CL550 is a genuine heavyweight in
luxury and stature.
A spin-off of the SL-Class roadster and at one time called
the SEC, the Mercedes CL550 is a full-sized grand touring car that combines
performance and extravagance with muscle and amenities to spare.
Teutonic power purrs by way of a 5.5-liter, 32-valve
aluminum V-8 engine that stampedes out 382 horses and 391 lbs.-ft. of torque.
The manufacturer claims zero to 60mph speed of 5.4 seconds with a top velocity
of 130mph, but those in-house, closed-course tests are often conducted under
ideal conditions; on a flat (or strategically banked) and forgiving course;
with less air in the tires; the test vehicle stripped a bit for weight
deduction; during atmospheric perfection and with a race-car tuned engine. On
the track, outfitted and tuned just as you would drive it off the car lot, my
test ride completed the quick sprint in 5.6 seconds and navigated a
quarter-mile in a brief and smooth 14.1 seconds. Showing excellent acceleration
from a stop or at speed, the CL550 glided effortlessly with its
state-of-the-art full-time all-wheel-drive 4MATIC that is integrated into a seven-speed
driver-adapted automatic transmission.
In all seven speeds, the CL550 delivers seamless power
whether you use the steering wheel paddle shifters or rely strictly on
automatic shifting. Light steering invokes a bit of understeer, but the
traction control is steady and uniform during tight maneuvering on auto-cross
courses or in S-curve conditions. The arrangement generates a superlatively
comfortable ride as the adjustable 4-link gas-shock front suspension and 5-link
rear smoothes out nearly all road vagaries with gentle ease, while powering out
of turns is a driver’s pleasure.
One high-tech driver’s advantage is present with the night
vision infra-red view assist system that extends the driver’s ability to see by
about 500 feet. The set-up bathes the road ahead with invisible infra-red light
from two projector beams mounted in the headlights. The image is transmitted to
the high-resolution display in the cabin and along with the blind spot
detection system are two extreme safety and driving advancements that bring the
future of automobiles into the current driving experience world.
The CL550 earns its $1300 gas guzzler tax by virtue of its
EPA rating of 14mpg in the city and 21mpg on the highway. A week of testing in
the mid-Atlantic region showed the estimates to be a bit low, as I averaged
20.1mpg overall, with about 22.6mpg on the interstate. The oversize gas tank –
23.8 gallons – gives the driver a cruising range of better than 400 miles. .
Stepping out of the vehicle to admire the architecture is also
a pleasure. Measuring a sleek 199.4 inches long, by 73.7 inches wide, by 55.7
inches high on a 116.3-inch wheelbase, the elegant and fluid lines of the CL550
clothed in Majestic Black paint create a vehicle that looks like an
ultra-luxury vehicle should … dynamic, graceful, powerful, confident, athletic
and lavish.
Inside the cabin, you get resort living that pampers,
indulges and protects. The compartment is roomy – 36.9 inches of front headroom
and 36.4 in row two; 42.2 inches of front legroom, 32.2 inches behind and 59.2
inches of front shoulder room with 55.2 in the rear – and it is outfitted to
gratify.
The most lush and plush interior available cossets with
supple leather, massaging seat wings in the driver’s cushion that mold to the
pilot’s sides and ribs during turns no matter how slight, adaptive cruise
control and park assist, while superior sound insulation and quiet engine
create a grand time behind the wheel or in the passenger’s seats.
Nothing is perfect, however, and German engineering is not
very intuitive, seeming at times to be enamored with its own capabilities. The
knob system for manipulating the electronics and view screen gets a bit
annoying at times. Interestingly, the satellite radio system lost signal often
in areas in which my test cars normally have no radio trouble.
From a safety perspective, the CL550 is attentive with its
Tele-aid emergency calling system, adaptive dual-stage front air bags, driver
side knee-bag, front and rear side mounted air bags, full-length head protection
curtain, 4-wheel ABS barking system, electronic stability program, predictive
occupant protection system, occupant classification system, 24-hour roadside
assistance program and antitheft alarm with engine immobilizer.
The “basic” CL550 is based-priced at $105,100, and my test
vehicle, with some extra premium packages added, stickered out at $120,110. One
option that includes rearview camera, massaging seats and night view assist
adds $3370, and the blind spot assist and parking guidance package adds $2880.
You’ll pay an additional $5690 for the AMG 5-spoke wheel and sport body
styling; heated steering wheel adds $470 and the iPod integration kit is $425.
The 2009 Mercedes-Benz CL550, it’s tomorrow’s automotive
luxury, today.
Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined
Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car
guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30
years.
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The Third-generation Mercedes-Benz CL-class more than lives
up to its alpha-iconic name, in fact it overpowers it. The German automaker
chose the CL-class name for the Germanic slogan: “Comfort Leicht,” which
translates to “Comfort Light” in English. After driving the lush and plush
4650-lb. 2009 CL550, it is obvious that neither the comfort level nor the
curbweight are light … the Mercedes-Benz CL550 is a genuine heavyweight in
luxury and stature.
In all seven speeds, the CL550 delivers seamless power
whether you use the steering wheel paddle shifters or rely strictly on
automatic shifting. Light steering invokes a bit of understeer, but the
traction control is steady and uniform during tight maneuvering on auto-cross
courses or in S-curve conditions. The arrangement generates a superlatively
comfortable ride as the adjustable 4-link gas-shock front suspension and 5-link
rear smoothes out nearly all road vagaries with gentle ease, while powering out
of turns is a driver’s pleasure.
Inside the cabin, you get resort living that pampers,
indulges and protects. The compartment is roomy – 36.9 inches of front headroom
and 36.4 in row two; 42.2 inches of front legroom, 32.2 inches behind and 59.2
inches of front shoulder room with 55.2 in the rear – and it is outfitted to
gratify.
Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined
Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car
guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30
years.
