Test drive Mercedes Benz Cl C216 since 2006 coupe
Luxury of movement
Judging by the attention of the new generation of CL on the streets, the capital missed a fresh expensive car. The six BMW went for a noise, a new S-class has already become familiar, Porsche Cayenne and Bentley Continental GT have long been in circulation. A new hero is required.
The third generation of CL can easily become them. The appearance of the coupe in every possible way emphasizes its huge size. Length - more than five meters. This is more than, for example, Maserati Quattroporte. The previous CL was good, a new S-class was very good, but both of them fade next to the new Mercedes-Benz compartment. In the modern range of CL is one of the brightest models. Especially with a package of external decoration from AMG. It would be interesting to look at this body in red.
Our arrow, as expected, is silver. The front part, not an example of a dull bespectacled predecessor, is very catching. A dynamic pattern of small stretched headlights, a wide grille of a radiator cut by horizontal lines, fog lights framed by a long lower air intake of a car with a wedge -shaped front - light and rapid. In silver, fodder seems rustic, but this effect disappears when the lighting is changed. The chrome strip in the lower part of the rear bumper looks unusual, which visually connects oval exhaust nozzles. The compartment, unlike the S-class base that served as it, is not so strongly expressed, and the body lines are smoother and soft. The falling trunk and calm rear lights, exciting wings, look in some angles in English. Needless to say, a spectacular car turned out. Inside, CL almost copies the S-class, so the future owner of the sedan, who will decide to purchase a compartment, should order radical interior colors radically different from each other, otherwise it will be boring. However, there are features. For example, CL doors without a framework are a special chic. Also, the seat belts on the backs of the seats have an reviving interior of a metal edging, and in unison they are played by metal overlays at the corners of the door and body.
Like the S-class, conflicting feelings awakened the steering wheel generously trimmed with no less generously lacquered tree. His diameter is not sports, large. That's right, a solid car is a solid steering wheel. However, if my will, would burn the tree in the furnace, reduce the size and sheathe all perforated skin. However, this is personal, and objectively the salon is impeccable, although not original. When the door is attached to the opener of the castle, a complete illusion is created that you are sitting in the S-class. However, the status of the coupe obliges the car to be more sports in management. Although what is there, fashion today orders any car to be sports
The CL technique refers to the whole line of modern Mercedes-Benz, however, the exact setting of a large mechanism allowed it to gain personality in controllability. The suspension here is exactly the same as on the last issue of the SL - Active Body Control of the latest generation in the last issue of the magazine. However, for CL, it seemed, she was a little dismissed. The car is gently, at a height energy intensity - even on large potholes, blows with a dull sound are extinguished in the bowels of the chassis. In sports mode, the suspension becomes almost tougher, but the reactions of the machine are made noticeably more collected. At the same time, a large car does not roll in turn at all! The behavior close to the reference, but small wagging of the rear axle when traveling ruts are observed. The expected insufficient rotation is manifested in the turns. However, to achieve it under ordinary conditions - this must be tried. The chassis perfectly copes with its duties, and the limit of the adhesive properties of the tires is achieved as soon as soon. The lack of rolls can also deceive - how easily everything does the car! I'll go even faster
In any case, if the stabilization system is included, there is no need to think about the mentioned intricacies of driving - ESP will save from the demolition of the front and other unnecessary consequences. Disconnect ESP completely and try to realize the entire potential of the car is better away from dense road traffic. For letting a five -meter rear -wheel drive car in a skid is the lot of some trained drivers. In addition, I doubt that CL was created with an eye on such driving. Although the prestigious coupe of the Grand Turism class is to ride a fan, of course, knows how to doubt it stupid. The motor (5.5 l), along with a seven -speed automatic, make CL 500 a magnificent autobas -gun tool. A slipper on the floor, and the car is rapidly gaining move. Switching is almost invisible - acceleration is non -stop, avalanche -like. Passport 250 km/h can be dial, and without blinking with an eye. At the same time, you can drive a car at speeds of 200 km/h on straight lines literally with one hand. She does not adopt the driver at all! Perestroika is also easy. The verified movement with a heavy steering wheel, and a giant compartment with jewelry accuracy changes the strip. The main thing is not to forget to look at the speedometer, since the driver’s sensations about the true speed speak poorly, underestimating it strongly.
There are no problems with the effectiveness of slowdown. One-two-three, and 250 turned into civilian 120 but the right leg receives too little information from the brake pedal. With intensive braking, it leaves too deep, and feedback has to be groped for. CL so strongly isolates the driver from external sources of information that it is difficult to determine the moment the wheels start blocking. However, why score your head with such trifles if the Brake Assist system is always ready to help? That is necessary (according to the manufacturer), which the driver could not or did not want to do on the road, CL will readily fulfill for him. Moreover, in the vast majority of cases is better than it. It is a pity that versions with the active cruise control of Distronic Plus are not delivered to our country (the radars that are equipped with the system are prohibited for use in Russia). Then one could almost completely rely on the electronic mind. After all, the machine is able to disperse independently and slow down in a high-speed range of up to 200 km/h, and the Pre-Safe Brake system operating with active cruise control can stop the car if the obstacle is sudden. I wonder if the geniuses of the auto industry will teach cars to be rearranged?
I liked the Night View Assist night vision system again. The speedometer drawn on the dashboard after pressing the key disappears, and its place is taken with a screen with a picture that is very similar to a computer game. The visibility of objects is about 50 m further than with ordinary headlights. By the way, the headlights of CL are also intellectual - have four operating modes and turn after the movement of the steering wheel. Upper class! Being one of the world's longest compartment, CL offers a relatively solid space for the rear passengers. The key word here is relatively. Having set up the front chair, I sat down at myself. There are more places than, for example, in the BMW of the 6th series, but the car does not withstand comparison even with business class sedans. A man of medium height feels comfortable, but still shy. Perhaps you can ride two girls, but it’s better not to go in a protracted route. The compartment, even such sizes, is still a car for two. Which, of course, does not prevent CL from successfully playing the role of an actual prestigious car in the capital. For some time
Mercedes-Benz Cl 500 prices and configurations The compartment is sold both from 5 liters (388 hp), and with 6 l of the engine (517 hp). The standard CL500 (from 131000) includes front, side and window pillows of the driver and front passenger; Electronic traffic stabilization system (ESP), including ABS and ASR systems; ABC; front seats with lumbar support and electrical regulation; multifunctional steering wheel; climate control; Cruise control; on-board computer; Comand control and indication system (8-inch color display) with a DVD player and PCMCIA slot; decoration of the salon with leather and wood; Tire pressure loss sensor; Rain sensor; Bi-ksenon headlights, parking sensors, sliding/lifting glass hatch with electric drive; alloy wheels R17; Coloring metallic.
The six-liter version (from 185,000) is characterized by the Harman/Kardon speaker acoustic system, 6 disks, multi-circuit front seats with a massage function, five-speed automatic transmission, Keyless-GO system, steering wheel and wood, preparation for installing a mobile phone, 18-inch Wheel disks. Standard package can be equipped with a rear view camera, a Distronic distance maintenance system, a Night View Assist night vision system, a parking heating system with the rear seat, a remote gate gate opening, a heating rudder, a tv tuner . You can also order a styling from AMG.
Source: Motor magazine [November 2006]
