Mercedes-Benz CLS550 - European Car, First Look

Bruce · 01-06-2007, 09:10 PM

"It's probably the best-looking sedan on the market. Jag S-Class? Retro pastiche. Lexus GS? Yawn. Audi A6? Close. BMW 5 Series? Oh, please. Augmenting the looks on this car is an AMG Sport Package. It's not the full Affalterbach treatment, but column-mounted shift paddles, a tweaked chin spoiler, bespoke 18-inch alloy wheels and exhaust tip snips $775 from your checking account.

With the dash readout showing C (for Comfort Mode) and the adjustable Airmatic suspension devoid of red LEDs, the CLS is the perfect car for busy freeways. It will sashay languidly through the traffic, staking a territorial claim that none would argue with. The 5.5-liter V8 engine has enough torque (391 lb-ft from 2800 to 4800 rpm) to grab that free space with the speed of thought. All it takes is a flick of the right foot. Or the car will squeeze the brake rotors with a seemingly tireless clasp.

Naturally, the seats are comfortable and the stereo (with steering wheel-mounted controls) sounds great. If you wanted to split hairs, you could say the air-conditioning was noisy for this class of car and some of the plastics would be put to shame by a VW Passat. But a Passat could never look this good, inside or out.

Then your eyes fall upon the paddles. You put the shift lever into S (that's right, Sport Mode). You press the Airmatic suspension button twice (there's an intermediate mode, but who wants to be half-comfortable or half-sporty?). You can let the seven-speed 'box do the shifting, which is now more willing to kick down and less willing to change up until the revs build significantly. Or you can goose those paddles, like an F1 driver. Suddenly, you're making more use of the 382 bhp (peak power hits at 6000 rpm), and the CLS becomes the perfect car for less busy freeways.

Coming from the country that gave us derestricted autobahnen, this is no real surprise, but a more distinct character between Comfort and Sport would be nice. A bit more body control in the corners, a bit more commitment for the committed could work. It doesn't need to be as dramatic a difference as Bruce Banner and the Incredible Hulk, but right now it seems more like a subtle shift in mood."

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

2007 Mercedes-Benz CLS550

Layout
Longitudinal Front Engine,Rear-Wheel Drive

Engine
5.5-Liter V8, Dohc,Four Valves Per Cylinder

Transmission
Seven-Speed Automatic

Performance
Peak Power: 382 Bhp @ 6000 Rpm
Peak Torque: 391 Lb-Ft @ 2100 Rpm
0-60 Mph:5.9 Sec.
Top Speed:155 Mph (Limited)
Fuel Economy:16 City/22 Hwy

Price As Tested: $79,235 From The Hip

+ Stunning Good Looks, Exceptional Ride
- Blurry Line Between Comfort And Sport

cawimmer430 · 01-07-2007, 11:15 AM

Good review overall. Love the CLS but it lacks the practicality of the E-Class I'm afraid. Still, a looker.

Splenditenes · 01-07-2007, 02:26 PM

I`ll admit I`m not a huge fan of the regular CLS models` front end design, too plain. Thay need a sport-package. A facelift should come in mid 2008, that should improve the normal front end of the normal CLS cars.

Bruce · 01-07-2007, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTA7.5

I`ll admit I`m not a huge fan of the regular CLS models` front end design, too plain. Thay need a sport-package. A facelift should come in mid 2008, that should improve the the normal front end of the normal CLS cars.

I agree 100 % Carlton. I feel that without the AMG sport package the CLS doesn't "ground" that well, having said that I pretty much feel about that with all of Mercedes newer models. My Mercedes (whether S, SLK, CL, etc) would have to fitted with the AMG body package.

Splenditenes · 01-07-2007, 02:43 PM

lOl 7.3! the AMG packages have certainly gotton better with the passing models and have indeed outdone the normal MB designs. MB needs to improve their normal models designs, maby not the whole design but the front ends in particular, with better wheel designs. A touch more sport wouldn`t hurt sales one bit.

Bruce · 01-07-2007, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTA7.5

lOl 7.3! the AMG packages have certainly gotton better with the passing models and have indeed outdone the normal MB designs. MB needs to improve their normal models designs, maby not the whole design but the front ends in particular, with better wheel designs. A touch more sport wouldn`t hurt sales one bit.

Agreed again.

Merc1 · 01-08-2007, 07:36 AM

That 0-60 time can't possibly be right. The E550 and SL550 have both been clocked under 5 secs from 0 to 60. That looks more like a CLS500 time, not the CLS550.

Ah...the CLS is still on my list.

M

cawimmer430 · 01-08-2007, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merc1

That 0-60 time can't possibly be right. The E550 and SL550 have both been clocked under 5 secs from 0 to 60. That looks more like a CLS500 time, not the CLS550.

Ah...the CLS is still on my list.

M

I wouldn't trust Edmunds when it comes to 0-60 times. Car and Driver etc. are better at that.

The Emperor · 01-08-2007, 07:52 AM

I've read only the 1st sentence and i stopped...

My @$$!

cawimmer430 · 01-08-2007, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TycoonGTR

I've read only the 1st sentence and i stopped...

My @$$!

It's probably the best-looking sedan on the market...

^This one?^

01-06-2007, 09:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
Bruce Crazy Canadian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: British Columbia Posts: 9,457 My Mood: Thanks: 3,577 Thanked 2,898 Times in 1,767 Posts Blog Entries: 2	Mercedes-Benz CLS550 - European Car, First Look "It's probably the best-looking sedan on the market. Jag S-Class? Retro pastiche. Lexus GS? Yawn. Audi A6? Close. BMW 5 Series? Oh, please. Augmenting the looks on this car is an AMG Sport Package. It's not the full Affalterbach treatment, but column-mounted shift paddles, a tweaked chin spoiler, bespoke 18-inch alloy wheels and exhaust tip snips $775 from your checking account. With the dash readout showing C (for Comfort Mode) and the adjustable Airmatic suspension devoid of red LEDs, the CLS is the perfect car for busy freeways. It will sashay languidly through the traffic, staking a territorial claim that none would argue with. The 5.5-liter V8 engine has enough torque (391 lb-ft from 2800 to 4800 rpm) to grab that free space with the speed of thought. All it takes is a flick of the right foot. Or the car will squeeze the brake rotors with a seemingly tireless clasp. Naturally, the seats are comfortable and the stereo (with steering wheel-mounted controls) sounds great. If you wanted to split hairs, you could say the air-conditioning was noisy for this class of car and some of the plastics would be put to shame by a VW Passat. But a Passat could never look this good, inside or out. Then your eyes fall upon the paddles. You put the shift lever into S (that's right, Sport Mode). You press the Airmatic suspension button twice (there's an intermediate mode, but who wants to be half-comfortable or half-sporty?). You can let the seven-speed 'box do the shifting, which is now more willing to kick down and less willing to change up until the revs build significantly. Or you can goose those paddles, like an F1 driver. Suddenly, you're making more use of the 382 bhp (peak power hits at 6000 rpm), and the CLS becomes the perfect car for less busy freeways. Coming from the country that gave us derestricted autobahnen, this is no real surprise, but a more distinct character between Comfort and Sport would be nice. A bit more body control in the corners, a bit more commitment for the committed could work. It doesn't need to be as dramatic a difference as Bruce Banner and the Incredible Hulk, but right now it seems more like a subtle shift in mood." - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER 2007 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 Layout Longitudinal Front Engine,Rear-Wheel Drive Engine 5.5-Liter V8, Dohc,Four Valves Per Cylinder Transmission Seven-Speed Automatic Performance Peak Power: 382 Bhp @ 6000 Rpm Peak Torque: 391 Lb-Ft @ 2100 Rpm 0-60 Mph:5.9 Sec. Top Speed:155 Mph (Limited) Fuel Economy:16 City/22 Hwy Price As Tested: $79,235 From The Hip + Stunning Good Looks, Exceptional Ride - Blurry Line Between Comfort And Sport

01-07-2007, 11:15 AM	#2 (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: Mercedes-Benz CLS550 - European Car, First Look Good review overall. Love the CLS but it lacks the practicality of the E-Class I'm afraid. Still, a looker.

01-07-2007, 02:26 PM	#3 (permalink)
Splenditenes Devotee Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Kansas City, USA. Posts: 2,573 Thanks: 51 Thanked 52 Times in 49 Posts	Re: Mercedes-Benz CLS550 - European Car, First Look I`ll admit I`m not a huge fan of the regular CLS models` front end design, too plain. Thay need a sport-package. A facelift should come in mid 2008, that should improve the normal front end of the normal CLS cars. Last edited by Splenditenes; 01-07-2007 at 02:36 PM..

01-07-2007, 02:43 PM	#5 (permalink)
Splenditenes Devotee Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Kansas City, USA. Posts: 2,573 Thanks: 51 Thanked 52 Times in 49 Posts	Re: Mercedes-Benz CLS550 - European Car, First Look lOl 7.3! the AMG packages have certainly gotton better with the passing models and have indeed outdone the normal MB designs. MB needs to improve their normal models designs, maby not the whole design but the front ends in particular, with better wheel designs. A touch more sport wouldn`t hurt sales one bit.

01-08-2007, 07:36 AM	#7 (permalink)
Merc1 Contributor Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Aurora IL USA Posts: 4,955 Thanks: 363 Thanked 672 Times in 346 Posts	Re: Mercedes-Benz CLS550 - European Car, First Look That 0-60 time can't possibly be right. The E550 and SL550 have both been clocked under 5 secs from 0 to 60. That looks more like a CLS500 time, not the CLS550. Ah...the CLS is still on my list. M

01-08-2007, 07:52 AM	#9 (permalink)
The Emperor Bionic Jive Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Where noone has gone before... Posts: 9,163 My Mood: Thanks: 1,423 Thanked 1,588 Times in 963 Posts	Re: Mercedes-Benz CLS550 - European Car, First Look I've read only the 1st sentence and i stopped... My @$$!

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