A strong though subtle presence.

One of them is DISTRONIC PLUS adaptive cruise control, which monitors proximity to surrounding traffic and automatically applies  the brakes as soon as your car starts to get too close to the vehicle in front. Out here, where speed limits are much higher than in Canada , this system is particularly useful. Blind spot monitoring, brake assist and, of course, ESP with traction control all add to the peace of mind of passengers. The biggest news for 2009 is the addition of the brand's 4MATIC all-wheel drive system as standard equipment with  every CL model. This highly acclaimed and effective system operates with precision and no hesitation. In fact, it recently helped the smaller  C-Class win our AWD Sedan Comparison Test.   The Mercedes-Benz CL once again relies on a 382-hp, 5.5L V8. Same engine, same performance As for the powertrain, there are no upgrades to report about. The Mercedes-Benz CL once again relies on a 382-hp,  5.5L V8 which, as you can guess, is quite powerful enough despite the heavy weight of the car.  On the winding roads of Austria, just like on the famous autobahns, the CL550 moved forward with disconcerting ease,  leaving many other drivers far behind. While the suspension offers Comfort and Sport settings, engineers primarily tuned it with ride quality in mind. As a result, when I zigzagged through a series of sharp turns at high speed, I noticed more body roll and sway than with the new CLS. The drive sure is comfortable but less dynamic.  That said, who would buy a CL-Class if they look for sporty handling? Crazy! Scorching sun and pristine roads: the Austrian countryside was the perfect setting for our road test. And believe me, the 2009 CL was up to the task, showcasing its grand touring skills by delivering both performance and refined luxury. It also reminded me how impeccably comfortable and minutely executed this German is. I couldn't resist hitting the road and singing along Alanis Morrissette with her hit cover song Crazy. The riverbanks of the Danube will echo those sounds forever...

But the calm and polite Viennese barely gave me a smile, probably because they thought I was just another crazy tourist. Yet, a number of them dared to gaze at the car and give their thumbs up. While I'm nowhere near the singer Chester Bennington is, the lines of the new CL are definitely worth admiring.

Aristocratic looks
While no significant exterior change defines the 2009 Mercedes-Benz CL, this car remains a classic. Smooth yet assertive lines combine with soft edges to create a package with a strong though subtle presence. That's what I like to call "charisma"

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The arched roofline gracefully flows toward the back, while the hood stretches forward to meet a massive grille integrating the famous silver star. Completing the overall shape is a carbon copy of the S-Class sedan's rear end.

Inside, refinement is also the operative word. High-quality wood trim and leather upholstery highlight the interior, which houses supremely comfortable and supportive seats. The Drive-Dynamic seat system even allows you to adjust the side bolsters depending on the sharpness of turns in the road. The resulting driving position is flawless.

The instruments are identical to those found in the S-Class and they use the very latest technology in video display. The information is easy to read, especially in the middle of the dashboard thanks to the COMAND APS system. Everything is easy to grasp at first glance.

Technology galore

As a matter of fact, the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class represents the pinnacle of technology. In addition to the accurate navigation system, which I found more user-friendly than the CLS four-door coupe's despite the big rotary dial between the front seats, this car is loaded with advanced features to enhance the comfort and, more importantly, the safety of passengers.


The launch of the new CL-Class in autumn 2006 (Northern Hemisphere) will be the culmination of a Mercedes-Benz coupe tradition going back over 50 years. The two-door model combines peerless exclusivity and charismatic design with the sort of cutting-edge technology that no other manufacturer can match worldwide.

The luxury Coupe raises the bar in terms of vehicle safety with the PRE-SAFE� brakes: the unique system automatically brakes the Coupe before an imminent rear-end collision. Furthermore, Mercedes innovations such as the Active Body Control (ABC) suspension system, the Intelligent Light System with five lighting functions and PRE-SAFE� anticipatory occupant protection all come as standard. Two powerful engines with 8 or 12 cylinders are available, delivering a notable increase in output and torque. Thanks to their exemplary smoothness they also live up to the Mercedes heritage of superb motoring refinement.

The large Mercedes Coupes have been synonymous with style and exclusivity in the automotive industry for decades. They set the standard in terms of design and equipment, combine exemplary safety with an outstanding level of comfort and assured handling. In short, Mercedes Coupes are extraordinary dream cars -- automobile classics.

The new CL-Class is another Mercedes-Benz masterpiece. Just as the luxury coupe points the way to the future with its innovative technology, the design has also set the mould for a new Mercedes style. Its hallmark is the interaction between distinctive tightly drawn lines with large, unruffled surfaces. This design idiom lends the Coupe its own particular expressive power, emphasising the calm and power of its powerful, self-confident nature.

Familiar Mercedes features have been given a contemporary twist, resulting in a harmonious blend of the classic and contemporary. Examples include the hallmark