Mercedes-Benz CL-Class C216: the S-Class-based coupe that ended with AMG V12 power

The Mercedes-Benz C216 was the last generation of the CL-Class grand tourer, launched in 2006, with the C217 S-Class Coupe taking over that role once it arrived. It rode on the W221 S-Class chassis but was built as a pillarless two-door with its own body. Its high point came with AMG's V12 cars, including the CL 65 AMG, which pushed output to 612 PS (450 kW; 604 hp) and later to 630 PS.

Where did the C216 come from?

The C216 replaced the C215 platform, and its body was penned by Gorden Wagener and Peter Pfeiffer. Mercedes-Benz unveiled the car at the 2006 Paris Motor Show, with a right-hand drive version following at the 28th Bangkok International Motor Show. European customers could order it from early July 2006, and British buyers received theirs from spring 2007.

Early models were the CL 500 and the CL 600. The CL 500 used the 7G-TRONIC automatic, while the CL 600 paired its engine with a five-speed automatic. Both shared the same basic architecture, with the CL 600 offering the stronger V12 of the two.

A two-door built on an S-Class chassis, with a V12 version that produced 612 PS from a pillarless body.

How big was the C216 compared with the saloon?

The two-door coupe weighed 2,045 kg (4,508 lb), which made it heavier than the equivalent S-Class saloon. It rode on a 116.3-inch wheelbase, which was 8.2 inches shorter than the long-wheelbase S-Class. That long version was the only S-Class sold in the United States, so the coupe's dimensions sat between the two.

Rear seat room was limited, in keeping with the 2+2 tradition of luxury coupes. Even so, the CL offered more space behind the front seats than its rivals did. The boot was as large as the one in the Audi A8 flagship saloon.

What made the C216 design distinctive?

Like earlier CL models, this car went without a B-pillar, so the side glass ran from front to back in one unbroken span. That gave the side glass an open, unbroken look along the flanks.

AMG versions added their own look. The AMG styling package reworked the nose with larger air intakes and fog lamps ringed in chrome, then added AMG side skirts and an AMG rear apron. Nineteen-inch five-spoke AMG wheels, measuring 8.5 and 9.5 inches wide, went on sale in September 2006 for the CL 500 and CL 600.

What made the CL 65 AMG the headline model?

The CL 65 AMG was a higher-output version of the CL 600, delivering 612 PS (450 kW; 604 hp) between 4,800 and 5,100 rpm and 1,000 N m (738 lb ft) of torque. Its front brake discs were 15.4 inches across and the rear 14.8 inches, with frame-type sliding rear calipers. The car rode on 20-inch forged AMG twin-spoke wheels, which measured 8.5 inches wide at the front and 9.5 inches at the rear.

The CL 65 AMG first appeared at New York's 2007 International Auto Show and went on sale as a 2008 model. It received reworked ESP and ASR traction control, along with AMG spring struts with firmer damping. Its V12 and two-door body made it the most extreme member of the family.

How did the CL 63 AMG differ?

The CL 63 AMG relied on a 5.5-litre V8 biturbo that made 544 PS (400 kW; 537 hp) at 5,500 rpm. Its torque peaked at 800 N m (590 lb ft) across a broad band from 2,000 to 4,500 rpm. It was paired with the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT seven-speed automatic, and the facelifted car went on sale in September 2010.

Buyers could add an AMG Performance package, which raised power by 100 PS (74 kW; 99 hp) and torque by 100 N m. Options included forged double-spoke wheels, carbon-fibre engine covers, an exterior carbon pack and designo leather and paint. The system also offered Direct-Steer, Torque Vectoring Brake and crosswind stabilisation as standard features of the chassis.

How did the suspension and steering work?

The C216 introduced the second generation of Active Body Control, known as ABC Plus or ABC II, which was standard on rear-wheel-drive cars. Compared with the first system used on the C215 and W220, it had shorter hydraulic lines for quicker response and a re-engineered damper fitted straight onto the tandem pump. Body roll was cut by 45 percent.

Direct-Steer electromechanical steering joined the chassis, and the Torque Vectoring Brake helped the car turn cleanly. Crosswind stabilisation was added to the suspension, and the CL's transmission was no less sophisticated. The AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT seven-speed offered Controlled Efficiency and Sport modes, plus a manual mode with 100 millisecond gearshifts and no automatic downshifts. An electronic control unit with its own processor ran the shifts, and the mode selector sat to the left of the COMAND controller.

Meanwhile, while AIRMATIC air suspension with adaptive damping was standard on the US CL 550 4Matic and not on the CL 600 or AMG cars.

What did the 2010 facelift change?

The facelift debuted at Goodwood in 2010 and then appeared at the Paris show that autumn. It brought a new grille, bi-xenon headlamps with LED elements, LED fog lamps and reworked bonnet and fenders. Interior wood trim and new exhaust pipes were also part of the package.

The CL 65 AMG facelift raised output to 630 PS (463 kW; 621 hp) and kept 1,000 N m of torque. It used an AMG SPEEDSHIFT five-speed automatic, with a sports suspension based on Active Body Control, and its brakes were the ADAPTIVE BRAKE system with 390 and 365 mm discs. The facelifted cabin added PASSION nappa leather, a Harman Kardon sound system and an AMG instrument cluster with a 360 km/h speedometer scale. The sports exhaust ended in two chrome twin tailpipes styled after a V12, and V12 BITURBO lettering sat on the mudguards.

Seat options included multicontour front seats with massage and dynamic settings, plus ventilation and heating. The AMG instrument display offered a gear indicator with upshift recommendations and a RACETIMER lap-time function. A clock with IWC-inspired design and high-gloss poplar wood trim completed the interior.

Which safety and comfort systems came fitted?

The C216 was among the first Mercedes models to use Pre-Safe Brake, which could apply up to 40 percent braking, or up to 0.4 g, if the driver failed to respond to an imminent collision warning. If the driver then braked hard, the full braking force was available. Night View Assist, an infrared system, showed the road ahead in darkness.

Distronic Plus adaptive cruise control could bring the car to a standstill and then resume speed, and the 2007 update added Blind Spot Assist. Its six short-range radar sensors sat in the front and rear bumpers. The facelift brought Active Lane Keeping Assist, Attention Assist for drowsiness and nine airbags as standard.

The 2010 changes also upgraded PRE-SAFE Brake so that it applied maximum braking pressure about 0.6 seconds before an unavoidable collision was recognised. COMAND gained a SPLITVIEW dual-view display, and the COMAND APS navigation system replaced DVD maps with a 40 gigabyte hard-disk map.

The 2011 model year added Night View Assist Plus with a spotlight function, the first series production car to use night vision to pick out pedestrians. The spotlight could flash at people it detected, warning both the driver and the pedestrian without dazzling oncoming traffic.

Which special editions did Mercedes-Benz build?

The 40th Anniversary CL 65 AMG marked 40 years of AMG in 2006 and was limited to 40 units. It wore Alubeam liquid-metal paint, an AMG two-bar grille, V12-design twin tailpipes and two-tone Passion leather seats with V12 stitching. A One Out of 40 badge sat on the COMAND controller. Carbon-fibre interior trim, V12 diamond stitching on the seats and V12 logos stamped into the front head restraints completed the special cabin.

The CL 500 Trademark Centenary of 2009 celebrated 100 years of the three-pointed star. Its historic trademarks from 1909 were set into the centre console in gilded plate brass, and it had designo metallic graphite paint, titanium grey 20-inch wheels and a wood and leather steering wheel. Gloss black piano-finish trim and anthracite Alcantara lining finished the cabin. A companion CL 550 centenary model, the 100 Years edition, followed the same theme, and US cars arrived in summer 2009.

The CL Grand Edition of 2012 to 2014 marked 60 years of the S-Class Coupe. It came in three designo paints: platinum black, mocha black and a matt white finish, with 20-inch AMG wheels in five-spoke or filigree ten-spoke designs and a choice of three aniline leather interiors. It was unveiled at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. Japanese buyers received a small run of CL 550 4Matic Grand Editions in September 2012, with 17 finished in mocha black and 3 in matt white.

Starting in June 2009, buyers of the CL 500 and CL 500 4Matic could add an AMG Sports package. It brought a front apron with large air intakes, a rear apron with a black insert and polished stainless tailpipe trim, AMG side sills, and 19-inch alloys with five spokes on wider tyres. Inside it brought a wood and leather steering wheel, velour floor mats with AMG lettering and brushed stainless sports pedals.

Did the US get a different CL?

From 2009 the CL 550 was offered only with 4Matic all-wheel drive in the United States and Canada, as a response to snowy markets. The switch replaced ABC with Airmatic, since 4Matic could not run alongside it. The CL 600 and CL 65 AMG stayed rear-drive.

American showrooms received the facelifted range in November 2010, badged as 2011 models. Early US examples included the CL 550 4Matic and the CL 63 AMG.

What were the CL 65 AMG prices?

The facelifted CL 65 AMG was priced at 191,450 euros before VAT, or 227,825 euros including 19 percent VAT. Options included AMG Performance Studio wheels, carbon exterior packs and the designo range. Mercedes-Benz Accessories had also offered a leather wallet, ash-timber pens, driving gloves and a diecast model by AUTOart when the car launched in September 2006.

Were any CL models recalled?

Certain 2011 and 2012 CL 550 4Matic and CL 63 AMG cars were recalled over a cracked fuel filter flange. The fault could lead to a fire if an external ignition source was present. The recall campaign was expected to start in January 2013.

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