Features and equipment - CL -500 Mercedes Benz - 2000

Mercedes-Benz CL 500 (Europe)
CL55 AMG

The CL coupes come equipped with the very latest in Mercedes-Benz technology, and along with the S-Class sedans the CL coupes receive new technological features.

C215 was the second car (after the W220 S-Class) with Distronic: the first worldwide radar-assisted Autonomous cruise control system. It was the first car in the world with both low beam and high beam (Bi-Xenon) High Intensity Discharge headlamps.

The C215 was standard equipped with the hydraulic Active Body Control (ABC) system. It is technically more advanced than standard Airmatic air suspension found on the W220 S-Class sibling, and keeps the car level even in fast corners, provides a comfort and sports setting. Also, the car height can be increased by using a button, increasing ground clearance (2 settings) for driving on difficult terrain, lowers automatically at higher speeds.

From 1999 through 2003, the V12-equipped cars featured a cylinder deactivation system called Active Cylinder Control. The feature was dropped when the 500 PS (368 kW; 493 hp) bi-turbo V12 was introduced. This disactivation feature allowed the CL 600 to get better fuel economy than the comparable CL500 (when not equipped with ACC itself, an option for the V8), especially on the road where the six-cylinder operation could be effectively used. Essentially, the engine is two Mercedes six-cylinder series engines mated to a common crank with separate engine monitoring systems.

Safety[edit]

In 2003, the cars were upgraded with Pre-Safe precrash system and a newer electronics package that included a DVD-based navigation system instead of the CD-based COMAND system. Also, the engine options changed. The CL55 AMG became supercharged allowing the car to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.27sec according to Motor Trend and the V12 CL 600 had turbochargers added and a slight engine reduction, from 5786 cc to 5513 cc. Both cars produced 500 PS (368 kW; 493 hp) the distinction, again, was the quietness of the CL 600 as compared to rather noisy CL 55 AMG. The more powerful CL 65 produced 612 PS (450 kW; 604 hp). The top speed of the car was limited to 250 km/h (155 mph).

Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and Brake Assist were standard features for difficult driving conditions and emergency maneuvers.

The C215 CL-Class added standard front and rear side curtain airbags. In total, the C215 features 8 airbags: 2 frontal (driver and passenger), 4 side airbags (one for each passenger, optional for rear seats) and 2 window-airbags.

LED brake lights were also standard issue on the C215. LED brake lights illuminate faster than conventional bulbs.

CL55 AMG
CL600
CL65 AMG

Comfort and convenience[edit]

  • Distronic cruise control, which could maintain a set distance between the CL-Class and any vehicle in front.
  • Speedtronic adjustable speed limiter for not exceeding a set speed on roads with speed limits.
  • Keyless Go, a smart key entry and startup system.
  • Rain-sensing windshield wipers.
  • Light sensors to turn the headlights on and off automatically, depending on lighting circumstances. The instrument display and the COMAND screen's backlight and colour also adjust automatically depending on the ambient light situation.
  • Parktronic visual and audible parking aid, with sensors in the front and rear bumpers. Also, the passenger side mirror can swivel down automatically when engaging reverse, to help see the curb.
  • Automatically heated exterior mirrors.
  • Fully automatic climate control system with pollen and charcoal filters and optional separate rear-seat climate controls.
  • COMAND system combines the controls for audio systems, the television, the navigation and the telephone. COMAND based cars offer higher quality audio compared to the Audio 10 system.
  • Optional BOSE sound system.
  • Summer Open/Close - Ability to open and close all four windows and the sunroof at the sametime upon entry and/or exit from the vehicle.
  • Self opening and closing trunk.
  • Self-closing doors.
  • Electrically adjustable seats are standard. Optional were the memory function for the seats (standard in many countries on the larger engine models) and the multi-contour backrests with massage function.
  • Easy entry/exit function.
  • Auto-dimming interior and driver's side exterior rear view mirrors to prevent being dazzled by cars behind.
  • bi-xenon headlamps
  • Linguatronic voice recognition system which can be used to control the audio system, navigation system, and a cellular telephone through voice commands.

Limited Editions[edit]

The CL 63 AMG is the rarest W215 CL of all. It was produced only in November 2001 and just 26 examples were ever built for sale. Some UK examples were registered in March 2002. The V12-powered CL 63 AMG was only sold in Europe and Asia. Mercedes-Benz never offered the W215 CL 63 for sale; all were sold exclusively through AMG.

In 2000 Mercedes-Benz presented CL55 AMG F1 Limited Edition model. With production limited to only 55 numbered examples, cars sported lighter carbon-ceramic brake discs with special eight-piston Brembo calipers. Model was based on standard naturally aspirated CL55 AMG with identical performance values but better stopping power. Available only in metallic silver with black and silver leather interior with option of sports bucket seats. F1 Limited Edition logos can be found on illuminated door sills and on centre console, along with series number, finished in carbon-fibre.[2]

Engines[edit]

As with all major German manufacturers (except Porsche) Mercedes electronically limits their cars to 250 km/h (155 mph).

  Engine Power Torque 0–100 km/h (62 mph) Top speed
CL 500 5.0 L V8 M113 225 kW (306 PS; 302 hp) 460 N⋅m (339 lb⋅ft) 6.5 seconds 250 km/h (155 mph)
CL 600
(2000)
5.8 L V12 M137 270 kW (367 PS; 362 hp) 530 N⋅m (391 lb⋅ft) 6.3 seconds 250 km/h (155 mph)
CL 600
(2003)
Turbocharged
5.5 L V12 M275
368 kW (500 PS; 493 hp) 800 N⋅m (590 lb⋅ft) 4.8 seconds 250 km/h (155 mph)
CL 55 AMG
(2000-2002)
5.4 L V8 M113 265 kW (360 PS; 355 hp) 530 N⋅m (391 lb⋅ft) 6.0 seconds 250 km/h (155 mph)
CL 55 AMG
(2003)
Supercharged
5.4 L V8 M113
368 kW (500 PS; 493 hp) 700 N⋅m (516 lb⋅ft) 4.8 seconds 250 km/h (155 mph)
CL 63 AMG 6.3 L V12 M137 327 kW (445 PS; 439 hp) 620 N⋅m (457 lb⋅ft) 5.5 seconds 250 km/h (155 mph)
CL 65 AMG Turbocharged
6.0L V12 M275 AMG
450 kW (612 PS; 603 hp) 1,000 N⋅m (738 lb⋅ft) 4.4 seconds 250 km/h (155 mph)

Production[edit]

According to Daimler,[3] the C215 was produced in the following numbers:

  • CL500 (1998-2006) - 32,224
  • CL600 (1998-2002) - 6,348
  • CL600 (2002-2005) - 2,255
  • CL55 AMG (2000-2002) - 2,217
  • CL55 AMG (2002-2005) - 4,163
  • CL63 AMG (2001) - 26
  • CL65 AMG (2003-2005) - 777

Total production of the C215 CL Class was 47,984 units.