2010 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class 600 V12 5AT RWD (517 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Mercedes-Benz introduced a facelifted version of its CL-Class at the 2010 Goodwood Festival of Speed, raising the bar for high-performance, luxurious coupes.

The German automaker launched the third generation of the CL in 2006 at the Paris Motor Show as a personal luxury coupe. It was more than a GT in terms of luxury but didn’t lack in the performance department either. Yet, it wasn’t exactly a sports car. With the updated version, the automaker enhanced the car’s look and improved the engine lineup to comply with the Euro 5 emission standards.

Unlike its more potent AMG versions, the CL 500 and 600 sported a different front fascia. Make no mistake, it was still luxurious and opulent, but it didn’t have the same aggressive stance. Instead, it boasted new bi-xenon headlights. In addition, the front bumper featured LED daytime running lights. Furthermore, the carmaker offered an AMG package with an A-shaped grille in the front lower bumper instead of the standard trapezoidal-shaped one.

Apart from the luxurious interior, the car received more safety systems, such as the Active Lane Keeping Assist and crosswind assist functions. In addition, the automaker added a new COMMAND infotainment system fitted with a unique display that allowed the driver to see the navigation and, at the same time, its passenger to watch a movie on the same screen.

But the most significant changes were made under the hood. The naturally aspirated engines from the 2006 model were replaced by smaller, twin-turbo powerplants. Thus, the power output was increased for both 500 and 600 models, respectively. The CL 500 was available with an all-wheel drive system named 4Matic. Also, in the technical department, the CL boasted an adaptive suspension for specific versions and markets. All vehicles were fitted with a seven-speed automatic gearbox as standard.