Driving, Part One
This might be the time when you'll wonder if you are getting your money's worth, especially if you're a performance junkie. The CL550 we tested is the base model of the CL range. All other versions — CL600, CL63 AMG and CL65 AMG — offer more power.
The V-8 in the CL550 is new for 2011 and offers more power than the previous engine (429 horsepower and 516 pounds-feet of torque, up from 382 hp and 391 pounds-feet in 2010).
Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
CL550 429-hp, twin-turbocharged 4.6-liter V-8
CL600 510-hp, twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V-12
CL63 AMG 536-hp, twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V-8*
CL65 AMG 621-hp, twin-turbocharged, 6.0-liter V-12
*An optional performance package bumps power to 563 hp.
The engine defaults to an Economy setting that moves you from a standstill in 2nd gear, and that's OK. The problem is that when you press slightly harder to get a bit more power, you got a lot more power. It snapped my head back on many occasions, and I never adjusted to the Economy mode in all the time I spent driving the CL550.
Don't get me wrong: I don't mind the power, but I do mind its surprising, sudden application. When I was able to just cruise along the road, Economy mode was fine — but heaven help you if you need to accelerate suddenly. Other editors noticed a lag going from a stop or from slow speeds.
You can also choose a Sport setting that shifts the transmission at higher engine speeds and is more sensitive to accelerator inputs. I preferred this mode simply because it was more predictable. (It also seemed to allow the engine to make more of a snarling sound than the Economy mode — a good, slightly menacing sound.)
In either mode, the transmission — a seven-speed automatic — kicked down to lower gears quickly for passing, and it felt all but seamless when moving between gears.
I was less fond of the steering. The CL550 has Mercedes' Direct Steering system, which has a variable-ratio steering rack for better response in tight corners. It's certainly quick to respond, but it felt numb. Also, the steering is very light and felt lighter the faster I went — not reassuring at highway speeds. At times, I felt like I was steering a video game rather than handling a car. I would've liked more feedback.
See also:
Important safety notes
In addition to the illumination provided by the
normal headlamps, Night View Assist Plus
uses infrared light to illuminate the road. The
Night View Assist Plus camera picks up the
infrared lig ...
Important safety notes
The HomeLink® garage door opener
integrated in the rear-view mirror allows you
to operate up to three different door and gate
systems.
Certain garage door drives are
incompatible with th ...
Headlamp cleaning system
The headlamps are cleaned automatically if
the "Wipe with washer fluid" function is
operated ten times while the lights are on and
the engine is running ...