The Mercedes-Benz CL borrows its chassis, engine, most of its structure and the front half of its interior straight from the wonderful S-Class saloon; what is there left to tell?
Well, quite a lot, as it happens. You could question the point of a less practical and more expensive car than the S-Class, and we found plenty of people who reckon a Bentley Continental GT or Jaguar XKR are more desirable, but we defy anyone who has spent some time in the CL not to acknowledge that all that goes to making the S-Class so fabulous – and a bit more besides – is present in abundance here too.
The range only comprises three models. Above the 4.7-litre biturbo V8 engined CL 500 sit two AMG models, the CL 63 AMG with a 5.5-litre biturbo V8 and the CL 65 AMG which boasts a 6.0-litre biturbo V12. The CL 63 AMG delivers 536bhp and makes the CL feel heroic, the CL 65 AMG’s 621bhp and 737lb.ft of torque turning the CL into a monstrously rapid car. The AMG duo are the only CLs to have an obvious direct external competitor: matching them on price, function and performance is the Continental GT, with its V8 and W12 models respectively.
At around £93k the ‘entry’ CL 500 has some competition in the prestigious coupé market, though its rivals differ it in character and appeal. The Porsche 911, Maserati GranTurismo and BMW M6 are rather more sporting and lack the CL 500’s comfort, while the Jaguar XKR and BMW 650i are cheaper.
