Exterior

The coupe version of the S-Class sedan, the CL-Class sits very near the top of the Mercedes-Benz range, and would be a rare thing in anybody's lineup: a large coupe. And when I say large, I mean it: The CL is roughly 200 inches long. That's the same length as a GMC Acadia — a crossover that seats up to eight people in three rows (see them compared).

Still, the CL is one of the best-looking cars on the road. That's partly due to the fact that Mercedes gave it a stretched-out form; there's a low, sloping roof and no pillars between the front and rear side windows. The car is also fairly wide, and the overall impression is of a very low, wide car. Interestingly, it's not hard to get in and out of the front seats. I never felt like I was falling onto the ground, as I have in other coupes.

The CL was restyled for 2011, with a reworked front end, and LED running lights and taillights. The CL wasn't ugly before, but I think the changes were done well. (Compare a 2011 to a 2010 here.)

    See also:

    ECO start/stop function: significantly reduced consumption in urban traffic
    When the car is at a standstill, the engine does not need to be running and therefore does not need to consume fuel. Recognition of this essentially simple fact is behind the ECO start/stop functi ...

    Calling up the compass
    The compass shows which direction the vehicle is currently traveling in: N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W or NW. To obtain a correct display in rear-view mirror 1, the compass must be calibrated and ...

    MB Info call button
    •► Press and hold MB Info call button 1 for more than two seconds. This initiates a call to the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center. The indicator lamp in MB Info call button 1 fla ...