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Dream machines in three classes: The current Mercedes-Benz Coupé family

VIENNA, AUSTRIA - The Mercedes-Benz Coupé family is moreyouthful, more attractive and more innovate than ever before with the newCLC Sports Coupé, the new-generation CLS-Class and the 4MATIC version ofthe CL. The CLC is the new youngster in the Mercedes range, the compellingentry-level model in the Mercedes-Benz Coupé family.

Engineering highlights of the CLC include a new direct-steer system foreven more agile cornering, state-of-the-art infotainment systems featuringEurope-wide DVD or hard-disc navigation, as well as an upratedfour-cylinder engine that now develops 135 kW/ 184 hp. Fuel consumption hasbeen reduced by up to 10.8 percent compared with the outgoing model. Thefour-door CLS Coupé looks even more stylish than before thanks to itsunderstated yet effective styling modifications. The Mercedes-Benz engineline-up is joined by the 2.8-litre V6 engine developing 170 kW/213 hp,which consumes just 9.8 litres per 100 kilometres (NEDC). The MercedesCoupé family is headed by the luxurious CL-Class, which is now alsoavailable for the first time with permanent all-wheel drive. The new CL 5004MATIC thus offers even greater traction and handling stability in the wet,in snow or on ice.

Coupés have always been very special cars. Especially Mercedes coupés -the epitome of elegance and exclusivity in automobile design. In essence,they represent the ultimate in refinement. No other automobile brand has such aproud coupé tradition and no other automobile brand offers such a compelling andversatile coupé family as Mercedes-Benz. The CLC is the new "youngster" inthe Mercedes Coupé family. It shares some of the family"s unmistakablefeatures, yet retains its very own personality with its powerfulproportions and striking rear end, which sets the tone with its youthfulvitality and self-assured appearance.

The Mercedes designers have completely redesigned the front and rear sothat the Sports Coupé embodies the contemporary Mercedes design idiom withits distinctive coupé radiator grille featuring a large Mercedes star inthe centre, and the new projection-beam headlamps. The S-Class, the luxuryCL-Class Coupé and the C-Class provided the stylistic models. Theredesigned large tailgate conceals a variable boot with up to 1100 litresof luggage capacity.

The interior of the CLC is akin to a contemporary tailor-made suit -custom-fit and comfortable. Sports seats with better lateral support thanever, a three-spoke multifunction steering wheel, automatic climate controland brushed aluminium trim elements form part of the standardspecification. A choice of seat covers in black, alpaca grey and aparticularly stylish combination of black and red are available to give theinterior its individual colour scheme.

Mercedes-Benz has put together the sports package for drivers lookingfor sporting flair. It includes exclusive engineering innovations andequipment extras such as 18-inch light-alloy wheels, wide-base tyres,headlamps with black inner surrounds, sports suspension with lowered body,leather sports steering wheel and dark aluminium trim elements. Anotherspecial feature which the CLC inherits from its racing automobile counterparts isthe instrument cluster with red needles for the speedometer and revcounter. Once the engine is switched on, these needles spin once around thedial before returning to their start positions.

The standard specification for the sports package includes a newdirect-steer system, which further enhances the agile driving experience ofthe CLC while adding an important boost to safety. This new feature isbased on the speed-sensitive power steering and also offers a variable rackratio which changes as a function of the steering angle so that the driveronly has to turn the wheel slightly when cornering; the Sports Coupétherefore responds far more spontaneously to steering commands and offerseven sportier handling. As a result, the direct-steer system also improveshandling safety in critical situations -- for instance when taking suddenevasive action -- as the field tests conducted by the Mercedes engineersdemonstrate.

The new CLC is available with a choice of four four-cylinder and twosix-cylinder engines developing outputs from 90 kW/122 hp to 200 kW/272 hp.The 135 kW/184 hp powerplant in the CLC 200 KOMPRESSOR now develops anextra 15 kW/20 hp while consuming just 7.8 to 8.2 litres per 100 kilometresin the NEDC cycle – the equivalent of up to 0.7 litres less thanbefore. In consumption terms, with its advanced turbodiesel engines, theCLC falls into the five-litre category: the CLC 200 CDI returns aconsumption of 5.8 to 6.1 litres per 100 kilometres in the NEDC cycle, upto 10.8 percent less than the outgoing model.

The Mercedes engineers have developed a new generation of infotainmentunits for the CLC, bringing luxury-class cutting-edge technology to theSports Coupé as of September 2008. Three units are available, offering asuperb combination of colour display, twin tuner, speed-sensitive volumecontrol and Bluetooth mobile phone interface. An iPod, USB stick or otherexternal audio devices can now also be connected to the infotainmentsystem. A new universal media interface (optional extra) links thesedevices to the on-board electronics and the Sports Coupé"s control system.The new Audio 50 APS and COMAND APS units come with a Europe-wide DVD orhard-disc navigation system. The LINGUATRONIC voice-operated controlsystem, which Mercedes-Benz has upgraded with a new whole-word recognitioncapability, is fitted as standard if the integrated six-disc DVD changer isspecified.

CLS: four-door Mercedes Coupé refined and improved down to the lastdetail

Mercedes-Benz is about to make the CLS even more irresistible with thenew-generation of the world"s first four-door coupé set to be unveiled inspring 2008. Understated but masterly neatly sums up the result of therestyling programme for the CLS: at the front, it is the modified radiatorgrille that stands out, with two louvres now instead of the previous four.The diamond-shaped, three-dimensional grilles painted in atlas grey thatcover the air intakes project an even greater air of self-assurance as wellas adding further emphasis to the vehicle"s width. The exterior mirrorshave also been given a new look. The LED side indicator lamps that arebuilt into them are arranged in the form of an arrow to produce a mosteye-catching effect, especially in the dark. The mirror surface hasfurthermore been enlarged by 32 percent to afford a clearer view of thetraffic behind and thereby boost active safety.

The CLS 280 is equipped with a new entry-level engine, a sophisticatedV6 powerplant with a displacement of 2996 cc developing a peak output of170 kW/231 hp and a maximum torque of 300 Newton metres. This propels theCLS 280 from standstill to 100 km/h in 7.7 seconds and gives it a top speedof 245 km/h. Combined fuel consumption in the NEDC cycle is 9.8 - 10.0litres per 100 kilometres. The second V6 petrol model in the range is theCLS 350 CGI. Its advanced six-cylinder engine with piezoelectric directinjection and a spray-guided combustion system develops an output of 215kW/292 hp and has a convincingly low NEDC fuel consumption of 9.1 to 9.3litres per 100 kilometres.

CL 500 4MATIC: latest-generation luxury coupé with all-wheeldrive

From summer 2008, Mercedes-Benz will also be offering all-wheel drivefor its luxury CL-Class coupé for the first time. The new CL 500 4MATIC isequipped with a 285-kW/388-hp V8 engine, and in addition to 4MATIC itfeatures innovations such as the Intelligent Light System and theanticipatory occupant protection system PRE-SAFE® as standard. 4MATIC ispermanently active and therefore requires no response time to come to thedriver"s aid in unfavourable weather and driving conditions. As a result,critical situations can be mastered more effectively and confidently.

Weighing just 70 kilograms, the new permanent all-wheel-drive systemdeveloped by Mercedes-Benz is the lightest drive system of its kind. Itsplits the drive torque between the front and rear axle at a ratio of 45 to55. A twin-plate clutch at the central differential produces a basiclocking effect of around 50 Newton metres between the front and rear axle,which allows variable torque shift between the axles as the situationdictates and thereby achieves further significant improvements in tractionand stability in the 4MATIC models.

Mercedes-Benz combines 4MATIC as standard with the Electronic StabilityProgram ESP® and the 4ETS traction system, which brakes spinning wheels asrequired, increasing the drive torque to the wheels with good grip. Thisallows 4ETS to achieve the effect of conventional differential locks whileoffering more comfort than the technology found in other all-wheel-drivecars.

The new CL 500 4MATIC develops an output of 285 kW/388 hp and a maximumtorque of 530 Nm between 2800 and 4800 rpm. The combined fuel consumptionin the NEDC cycle is 12.1 litres per 100 kilometres - a further bonus ofthe new, highly efficient Mercedes all-wheel-drive system.