Launched on the Geneva Motor Present in March 1999, the second-generation Mercedes CL (C215) is 25 years previous. The Mercedes CL C215 was the primary mannequin on this planet with Energetic Physique Management suspension.
The Mercedes CL C215 was the second era of Mercedes’ luxurious coupe (CL comes from Coupe-Luxurious). CL title appeared in June 1996 (1997 for the American market) on the W140 collection on the CL 500 and CL 600 fashions. CL title was discovered additionally on the third era C216 (2006-2014), whereas the fourth era C217 returned to the S-Class Coupe title.
The Mercedes CL C215 was the primary automotive on this planet with Energetic Physique Management energetic suspension. With 200-bar high-pressure hydraulics and highly effective sensors and controls, ABC minimizes rolling, pitching, and squatting actions of the physique. Along with Energetic Physique Management, the Mercedes CL C215 options as customary ESP, ASR, and ABS with BAS brake help. It additionally featured bi-xenon headlights with a cleansing system, a Parktronic system, and integral entrance seats with easy-entry perform. The CL C215 Coupe additionally obtained Distronic adaptive cruise management, launched as a world premiere on the S-Class W220 in autumn 1998.
340 kg lighter than the previous C140
Constructed on the idea of the fourth-generation S-Class (W220), the coupe has undergone a drastic food regimen, identical to the limousine. The CL C215 was 340 kg lighter than the first-generation C140.
The Mercedes CL C215 was certainly barely extra compact than the large C140. The physique of the C 215 was 72 millimeters shorter, 55 millimeters narrower, and 54 millimeters decrease than its predecessor, the C 140, and the wheelbase was 60 millimeters shorter. The automotive was assembled on a separate line on the Sindelfingen plant and the seats, dashboard, door panels, and middle armrest have been upholstered in leather-based as customary.
The posh coupe debuted in October 1999 with the CL 500 model geared up with the 5-litre V8 engine and 306 PS (M113). Mercedes CL 600 with the 5.8-litre V12 engine and 367 PS adopted in 2001. With cylinder deactivation, the 5.8-litre V12 engine was 20% extra gas environment friendly than the previous 6-litre V12 within the C140. The cylinder deactivation system was additionally provided as an possibility on the CL 500.
The Mercedes CL C215 was additionally out there in two AMG variations: the CL 55 AMG with a 5.4-litre V8 engine and 360 PS from late autumn 1999 and the CL 63 AMG with 6.3-litre V12 engine and 444 PS from 2001. The highest mannequin CL 65 AMG with a 6-litre twin-turbo V12 engine creating 612 PS and 1000 Nm was launched in 2003.
From autumn 1999 to February 2006, Mercedes bought 47,984 CL C215 items, of which one of the best vendor was the CL 500 with 32,224 items.
Within the 2000 Formulation 1 season, a modified Mercedes CL 55 AMG was the official F1 Security Automobile. To have a good time this second, Mercedes produced a restricted run of 55 examples of the CL 55 AMG “F1 Restricted Version”, which was the primary avenue automotive with ceramic disc brakes.