1992 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class 500 SEC 5AT (320 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Mercedes-Benz introduced a two-door version of its flagship model, the mighty S-Class, thus continuing its tradition of producing personal luxury coupes for its customers.

Unlike its main rival, BMW, who focused on a sporty image with its 8 Series, the CL-Class (C140) was built to provide comfort and luxury. Its look was far from slim or aerodynamic. Instead, it was bulky and demanding, more focused on customers who didn’t want to reach the top speed of the vehicle on a daily basis. They just wanted to be spoiled and pampered on their way to the office or vacation lodge. Thus, around 20,000 units of this majestic, luxurious coupe were built in its seven-year lifespan.

Even though it was the two-door version of the S-Class, it didn’t share any body panel with its four-door sibling. Its body-colored bumpers, black grille, and swept-back headlights looked futuristic for those times. From its profile, the S-Class Coupe (codenamed C140) featured an ascending beltline that stretched beyond the cabin onto the tall rear deck. The B-post was retractable. Thus, with all four windows rolled down, it looked like a hard-top coupe or a fake cabriolet (by European standards).

Inside, the leather-wrapped cabin featured comfortable bucket seats at the front and a benchseat for two in the back. The dashboard featured an instrument cluster with an angular design, where the speedometer took center stage. On the sloped center stack, the automaker installed the HVAC and audio controls, while the center console hosted the gear selector.

Since the car was meant to be both a companion for exquisite events and long travels, it was fitted with a choice of two V8s and a V12 engine, all paired with a five-speed automatic.