The strong, silent type. The best way we can think of to spend the kids’ inheritance.

The 2007 Mercedes CL600 is so determined to reach the horizon when you step on its accelerator that it barely pauses for breath. Automatic gearshifts pop off one after another, but the onward rush is hardly interrupted. From the moment the car lunges away from rest with a sharp squeal of rear wheelspin until the 130-mph speed limiter gently restrains its charge, the CL rushes forward on an unstoppable tide of torque.

Passengers in the rear seat will gasp in astonishment at the sustained acceleration, and with good reason. The 5.5-liter twin-turbo V-12 produces 612 pound-feet of twist from a mere 1800 rpm and sustains that level to 3500 rpm. So each of the five gears provides relentless thrust throughout its range.

When driven in this somewhat extravagant manner — with both BorgWarner turbochargers blowing a 14.5-psi kiss of life to their respective cylinder banks — the 4800-pound CL600 will reach 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds. The quarter-mile marker blurs by at 113 mph in a brief 12.8 seconds, and that’s just 0.2 second behind the fabulous new Audi R8 mid-engined supercar.

Cont....

In summary, we’d have to conclude that the CL600’s blend of virtues far outweighs the few shortcomings and that its astonishing performance overkill will probably awe and delight the lucky few who can afford this Benz bolide. Whether anyone really needs this much mass and muscle in a mere coupe is a question we’ll leave for you to answer.



Highs: Sublime refinement, mind-boggling acceleration, all the gadgets.

Lows: The fuel bill.

The Verdict: A nearly perfect combination of comfort and performance.



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There is a group of German cars, the superfriends if you will, that get such great praise each time out the gate..so much so to the point that it has become boring. The 3-Series, S-Class and now the CL.

M

Great car, but still extremely rare at out roads here in germany.

Well, I haven't even seen the car (CL not just CL600) IRL yet...

Can't wait for my first passionate accquaintance with the CL.

I've seen my share of new CL's in Italy and in Munich. Looks sweet IRL, especially in black.