Mercedes-Benz CL-Class

The Mercedes-Benz CL-Class is a full-sized grand tourer produced by the German automaker Mercedes-Benz, which stands for Comfort Leicht in German, or Comfort Light in English. Originally derived from the SL-Class roadster, it has since been based on the S-Class sedan. Known at first as the SEC and later S coupe, it was spun off into its own line and current name in 1998. The CL continues to follow the same development cycle as the S, though riding on a slightly shorter wheelbase and offering smaller selection of engines, mostly tending towards the high-powered of the range. The main competitors of the CL-Class are the Bentley Continental GT and the Ferrari Scaglietti. The present generation of the CL-Class, C216, is currently available in four models: CL500 4Matic (CL550 4Matic in America), CL600, CL63 AMG and CL65 AMG. The 2010 price ranges from $110,775 to $207,170. The most powerful model of the CL, the CL65 AMG, is the most expensive Mercedes-branded vehicle (with the exception of the SLR and the S Class Pullman), slightly edging out its equivalent in the S-Class.