Photo Credit: Mercedes-Benz Group AGMercedes Benz launched the C215 Generation CL Class Mercedes in 1999. The C215 CL Class was the sixth installment in the line of large Mercedes S Class coupes. The 1999-2006 CL was one of the last cars that the legendary designer Bruno Sacco had a hand in designing. Originally the car was launched with three available trims: CL 500 which was powered by a naturally aspirated 5.0 liter V8 producing 302 horsepower, CL 55 AMG powered by a naturally aspirated 5.4 liter V8 producing 354 horsepower and the CL 600 that was powered by a naturally aspirated 5.8 liter V12 producing 362 horsepower. In 2003 Mercedes updated a few of the CL trims and added a trim level. The CL 55 AMG now had a supercharger added to it and produced 493 horsepower and 516 lb-ft. The CL 600 was now equipped with a 5.5 liter V12 with two turbochargers producing 500 horsepower and 590 lb-ft. In 2003 Mercedes launched the range topping CL 65 AMG that was equipped with a 6.0 liter V12 Twin Turbo producing 604-611 horsepower and 737 lb-ft.
The C215 CL is based on the W220 (1999-2006) generation Mercedes Benz S Class. Styled after the W111 generation Mercedes Benz S Class Coupe from the 60s, it takes one of the largest design cues from the W111…the roof. The roof on the CL C215 is bonded aluminum and is very unique and uncommon in car design of modern times. Plastic composite, steel and magnesium were used in the construction of the C215 CL. New technology was used across all CL trims. Some of the most notable tech advances include: the first car in the world to use Mercedes Benz ABC (Active Body Control) high pressure hydraulic suspension, some trims used Active Cylinder Control which deactivated cylinders to help with fuel economy, first car to use Bi-xenon headlights, first car to use Distronic Adaptive Cruise Control and certain trims offered ceramic brakes which made it the first production car to use ceramic brakes.
I was able to review the Mercedes-Benz CL 65 AMG and I was able to drive it more than once so I have a good feel for the car. I have always loved the Mercedes-Benz CL. It is a very special car and the end of an era for Mercedes. One of the CL’s most special features that can be appreciated right away is the exterior styling, from the CL’s four headlights that stare down anyone in front of it, the car has a long hood with lines that run from the grille and headlights and fade into the hood. This design feature was seen on the Jaguar XJ from 1994 to 2009 which Bruno Sacco admired for its design. The grille has a large three pointed star and the CL 65’s front bumper is sleek but aggressive with the edges of the front tires visible on each side. From the side the CL’s length is on full display. The car is very sleek and the size of the door, rear fender and side windows are very noticeable. Without a doubt the most distinctive feature of the CL’s styling is the car’s roof. The roof design was inspired by the W110/W111 S Class coupe from the 60s and early 70s. The CL’s roof has a very round shape and looks separate from the rest of the car The roof gradually slants upwards and leads to a very large rear window. From the back the car uses a version of Mercedes distinctive wrap around taillights. Four large exhaust pipes are visible at the bottom of the CL 65’s rear bumper and, similar to the front bumper, the rear tires are visible from the sides of the rear bumper.
When I first opened the massive door of the CL 65 I was greeted by a classic Mercedes interior. Sitting in the CL, I could appreciate all the room and the fine materials inside. The CL 65 has large, leather, ventilated front seats with lots of adjustments. The center console is finished in wood and there is also wood trim on the doors and around the rear seats. There are over 20 buttons on the door which are clearly marked and are easy to understand. The climate controls are lifted from the W140 S Class and are placed below a 6.5 inch color screen that controls the GPS and radio. The CL has a thick, sporty leather steering wheel with button shifters on the back of the wheel that can be activated by a button next to the gear selector marked M. The button that activates the shifters can also be used to change between the car’s different Comfort and Sport modes. The transmission can also be shifted by the gear selector by putting it in manual mode. On the top of the shifter is a starter button. This starter button on the shifter is a trademark feature of the most high end Mercedes from the early 2000s, but the car can also be started by the conventional method of using the key. Overall the interior of the CL 65 AMG is, simply put, classic Mercedes - timeless and beautiful.
Getting into the CL feels unlike getting into any other car. Opening the long door, sitting in the large seats, taking in the interior with its leather and wood, and finally turning the key over and hearing the sound of that iconic starter motor together with the legendary sound of that six liter V12 twin turbo engine made me feel like a million bucks. The first key to truly enjoying the CL is rolling all of the windows down and opening the sunroof. This coupled with the sound of the engine is an experience that every car enthusiast should have at least once in their life. Driving down the road the car rides very smoothly, but compared to some cars with active suspension, there is still a good feel of the road.
The suspension of the AMG variants of the CL were tuned by AMG for a sportier feel. The car’s ride can completely change at a press of a button. Press the “ABC Sport” button on the dashboard and the suspension becomes extremely stiff, reduces body roll and tightens the steering up to improve handling. I would recommend using the “ABC Sport” feature on roads that are smooth. Driving the CL 65 down the road with the windows down I never had any need to press down on the gas pedal too hard. I found the CL to be extremely enjoyable at normal speeds as a cruiser. But once I found some open road I decided to see what the CL 65’s V12 had to offer. I gradually put my foot down and the car felt like it was getting ready to take off. When the power hits, it hits hard and it shoved me back into my seat. I would say at most I pressed the gas pedal down sixty percent and I was almost doing double the speed limit in just a few seconds. The power is absolutely remarkable. I could hear the turbos kick on with a whistle and when I let off the gas the exhaust made deep burbles that added to the experience.
I also experienced the acceleration from the passenger seat and it felt even more intense. From the passenger seat, when the turbos kicked in, the acceleration felt like I was entering warp speed. My eyes got sucked back and everything looked like a blur. One of the most impressive aspects of the CL 65 was the way the car comes to a stop. The CL 65 has exclusive carbon ceramic brakes with excellent stoping power, but this is only half of the picture. The ABC hydraulic suspension is the other half. When breaking hard the car not only comes to a stop very quickly but it also stays flat instead of diving forward when hitting the brakes. The only drawback to driving a CL 65 is when you stop driving it, you just wish you could drive it forever. The CL 65 makes an excellent, stylish, comfortable cruiser, a sleeper in the sense that it is a beautiful, classic Mercedes coupe but still has power and speed that could teach most supercars a lesson. Even after almost 22 years since its launch, it is appreciated and respected by true automotive enthusiasts.
The thought I am always left with after driving the CL 65 is this: It has to be, if not one of the greatest, the greatest luxury car ever made. It has it all - endless style, imposing yet very beautiful looks, unbelievable speed and power, a luxurious interior with excellent materials, a superb fit and finish, practical technology that has not been bested 20 years later, and of course so much history. The CL has its place in a line of legendary Mercedes-Benz S Class coupes, and is the successor to the 60’s S Class Coupe, which the CL takes its iconic roof design from. Also the CL is one of the last Mercedes designed by one of the world’s best car designers, Bruno Sacco. The CL is everything a Mercedes should be and is the best example of everything Mercedes was.
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