Car and Driver - 2007 Mercedes-Benz CL600 - Road Test

Merc1 · 05-08-2007, 05:36 AM

The strong, silent type. The best way we can think of to spend the kids’ inheritance.

The 2007 Mercedes CL600 is so determined to reach the horizon when you step on its accelerator that it barely pauses for breath. Automatic gearshifts pop off one after another, but the onward rush is hardly interrupted. From the moment the car lunges away from rest with a sharp squeal of rear wheelspin until the 130-mph speed limiter gently restrains its charge, the CL rushes forward on an unstoppable tide of torque.

Passengers in the rear seat will gasp in astonishment at the sustained acceleration, and with good reason. The 5.5-liter twin-turbo V-12 produces 612 pound-feet of twist from a mere 1800 rpm and sustains that level to 3500 rpm. So each of the five gears provides relentless thrust throughout its range.

When driven in this somewhat extravagant manner — with both BorgWarner turbochargers blowing a 14.5-psi kiss of life to their respective cylinder banks — the 4800-pound CL600 will reach 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds. The quarter-mile marker blurs by at 113 mph in a brief 12.8 seconds, and that’s just 0.2 second behind the fabulous new Audi R8 mid-engined supercar.

Cont....

In summary, we’d have to conclude that the CL600’s blend of virtues far outweighs the few shortcomings and that its astonishing performance overkill will probably awe and delight the lucky few who can afford this Benz bolide. Whether anyone really needs this much mass and muscle in a mere coupe is a question we’ll leave for you to answer.

Highs: Sublime refinement, mind-boggling acceleration, all the gadgets.

Lows: The fuel bill.

The Verdict: A nearly perfect combination of comfort and performance.

- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

There is a group of German cars, the superfriends if you will, that get such great praise each time out the gate..so much so to the point that it has become boring. The 3-Series, S-Class and now the CL.

M

ree · 05-08-2007, 07:07 AM

Great car, but still extremely rare at out roads here in germany.

Mikael · 05-08-2007, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ree

Great car, but still extremely rare at out roads here in germany.

Well, I haven't even seen the car (CL not just CL600) IRL yet...

Mirage77 · 05-08-2007, 10:07 AM

Can't wait for my first passionate accquaintance with the CL.

cawimmer430 · 05-09-2007, 06:37 AM

I've seen my share of new CL's in Italy and in Munich. Looks sweet IRL, especially in black.

05-08-2007, 05:36 AM	#1 (permalink)
Merc1 Contributor Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Aurora IL USA Posts: 4,955 Thanks: 363 Thanked 672 Times in 346 Posts	Car and Driver - 2007 Mercedes-Benz CL600 - Road Test The strong, silent type. The best way we can think of to spend the kids’ inheritance. The 2007 Mercedes CL600 is so determined to reach the horizon when you step on its accelerator that it barely pauses for breath. Automatic gearshifts pop off one after another, but the onward rush is hardly interrupted. From the moment the car lunges away from rest with a sharp squeal of rear wheelspin until the 130-mph speed limiter gently restrains its charge, the CL rushes forward on an unstoppable tide of torque. Passengers in the rear seat will gasp in astonishment at the sustained acceleration, and with good reason. The 5.5-liter twin-turbo V-12 produces 612 pound-feet of twist from a mere 1800 rpm and sustains that level to 3500 rpm. So each of the five gears provides relentless thrust throughout its range. When driven in this somewhat extravagant manner — with both BorgWarner turbochargers blowing a 14.5-psi kiss of life to their respective cylinder banks — the 4800-pound CL600 will reach 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds. The quarter-mile marker blurs by at 113 mph in a brief 12.8 seconds, and that’s just 0.2 second behind the fabulous new Audi R8 mid-engined supercar. Cont.... In summary, we’d have to conclude that the CL600’s blend of virtues far outweighs the few shortcomings and that its astonishing performance overkill will probably awe and delight the lucky few who can afford this Benz bolide. Whether anyone really needs this much mass and muscle in a mere coupe is a question we’ll leave for you to answer. Highs: Sublime refinement, mind-boggling acceleration, all the gadgets. Lows: The fuel bill. The Verdict: A nearly perfect combination of comfort and performance. - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER There is a group of German cars, the superfriends if you will, that get such great praise each time out the gate..so much so to the point that it has become boring. The 3-Series, S-Class and now the CL. M Last edited by Merc1; 05-08-2007 at 05:55 AM..

05-08-2007, 07:07 AM	#2 (permalink)
ree Fanatic Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,431 My Mood: Thanks: 2,935 Thanked 1,678 Times in 776 Posts	Re: Car and Driver - 2007 Mercedes-Benz CL600 - Road Test Great car, but still extremely rare at out roads here in germany.

05-08-2007, 10:07 AM	#4 (permalink)
Mirage77 The Doughnutman. Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 5,438 Thanks: 1,473 Thanked 1,225 Times in 722 Posts	Re: Car and Driver - 2007 Mercedes-Benz CL600 - Road Test Can't wait for my first passionate accquaintance with the CL.

05-09-2007, 06:37 AM	#5 (permalink)
cawimmer430 Contributor Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Mühldorf am Inn, Germany Posts: 6,256 Thanks: 2,385 Thanked 1,759 Times in 835 Posts	Re: Car and Driver - 2007 Mercedes-Benz CL600 - Road Test I've seen my share of new CL's in Italy and in Munich. Looks sweet IRL, especially in black.

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