German Car Zone

2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class: With a substantial makeover for 2008, there are only detail changes for 2009. As before, the C-Class continues to come in Sport and Luxury configurations, and you have your choice of 228-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 or a 268-hp 3.5-liter V6. As promised, the C300 Luxury gets a more compliant calibration for its suspension for 2009, while the C350 gets a power-adjustable steering column and driver-side seat memory as standard equipment. Every C-Class gets new-style pelvic-protection airbags for the front-seat passengers. The computerized hard drive that runs the navigation system gets 40-gigabyte capacity for more audio file storage as well. Meanwhile, the C63 AMG was introduced this summer, and its 451-hp 6.2-liter AMG V8 (the C-Class can't get enough air under its hood to help the engine crack the 500-hp barrier) makes this car a thrill ride not to be missed.
2009 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class: The CL is something like a cross between a Bentley Continental GT and a Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, a luxurious device for cross-country travel that's very, very, very fast. Perhaps because of its cross-country abilities, the 382-hp CL550 V8 now comes only with 4Matic all-wheel drive for traction and stability in all-weather driving. Some additional feature content is part of the program as well, like the use of shift paddles on the steering wheel for the seven-speed automatic instead of buttons, plus parking guidance and a blind-spot warning device. The car rides on new 18-inch wheels so everyone will know this is the 2009 model. Meanwhile, the 510-hp CL60 and 604-hp CL65 AMG with their V12 engines remain unchanged, and there's the 518-hp CL63 AMG if you're looking for a hot-rod V8.
2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class: The CLK is more notable this year for what's missing, as the short production run of the CLK63 AMG Black Series has concluded. Instead we have a new luxury-style Grand Edition of the 268-hp CLK350 coupe and convertible (just 500 cars in each configuration), which carry AMG-style bodywork plus 18-inch wheels and tires. The coupe comes in silver and the convertible comes in white. The 382-hp CLK550 is unchanged.
2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class: After three years in which this Mercedes sedan with a low, coupe-style roof has set a trend that Aston Martin, Lamborghini, Porsche and even Volkswagen have followed, the CLS has been freshened with a new-look two-bar grille, outside mirrors, taillights, a rear bumper and even trapezoidal tips for the exhaust system. Passengers are more likely to appreciate a new multimedia interface with a standard hard-drive-based navigation system, a six-disc CD changer and Bluetooth connectivity. The driver will hold a sportier three-spoke steering wheel that now incorporates shift paddles for the seven-speed automatic transmission. As before, you have your choice of the 382-hp CL550 or 507-hp CLS63 AMG.
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