Mercedes Launches Premium Speedsters Quartet

CHESTER, NY – Targeting car buyers with typical family incomes ranging from $600,000 to $1 million annually, Mercedes-Benz unveils four new ’11 models, including the CL550, its flagship coupe.

Mercedes, buoyed by surging sales this year running 15% ahead of year-ago through September, according to Ward's data, kicks it up a notch with the more-powerful, yet more fuel-efficient, models.

In addition to the CL550, equipped with an all-new 429-hp twin-turbo V-8 engine, dealers will begin selling a 536-hp AMG CL63, plus two new V-12-powered models, the CL600 and CL65 AMG. On-sale date for the premium quartet is Nov. 10.

Every dealer in Mercedes’ top-55 markets should have at least one of the new cars by then, says Bart Herring, product manager for S-Class and CL models.

He predicts the CL550 will have an average transaction price of $120,000-$125,000. The CL63 AMG will average about $158,000 and the CL600 roughly $163,000. CL65 AMG will sell for about $213,000.

Deliveries of ’10 CL models were down about 35% through September, and Herring declines to forecast growth for the new model. However, he tells Ward's at a press preview here there is a growing confidence in the economy, as evidenced by surging sales of the S-Class, which so far this year has made up nearly 25% of all Mercedes deliveries.

“I feel good about where things are going,” Herring says. “Maybe we have turned the corner.”

Every dealer in Mercedes’ top-55 markets should have at least one new S-Class and CL model by Nov. 10.

Mercedes’ overall sales grew about 15% through September, according to Ward’s data. While Herring notes deliveries of the BMW 7-Series, the newest car in the segment, also are up, “the S-Class has traditionally been the biggest seller in this premium segment.”

Hybrids account for about 8% of S-Class sales, he says. “That's a number we're happy with.”

Mercedes is locked in a tight sales race with the Lexus and BMW brands this year, with Mercedes slightly ahead of the others in the first nine months. Audi sales are surging, as well, but still lags its competitors.

Herring says the CL550 is equipped with an all-new powertrain that features a 4.6L direct- injection V-8 with twin turbochargers that generate 429 hp. That's 12% more horsepower than its predecessor, which was 0.9L larger in displacement. The new V-8 also uses piezo injectors that produce up to five injections per stroke.

The new engine produces 516 lb.-ft. (700 Nm) of torque, which is on tap instantaneously, Herring claims. That’s up 32% from the ’10 model. But while the V-8 produces an almost AMG level of horsepower, it yields 10% better fuel economy, he notes.

Mercedes does not yet have an Environmental Protection Agency fuel-economy rating for the new V-8. However, fuel economy is not among the top issues concerning purchasers of these high-powered models, Herring says, while acknowledging it is growing in importance to customers because of environmental concerns.

Mercedes engineers have equipped the CL550 with a revised 7-speed automatic electronic transmission that is controlled with a switch lever on the right-hand side of the steering-wheel-column stalk. The vehicle also comes with 4Matic all-wheel drive.

Top speed for the CL550 and CL600 is electronically limited to 130 mph (209 km/h). The two AMG models have a top speed of 155 mph (249 km/h) that's electronically limited, as well. Mercedes also offers a speed package for AMG cars, which allows a top speed of 186 mph (299 km/h).

“Most of that relates to the tires,” Herring says. The cars limited to 130 mph are equipped with all-season tires that don't permit higher speeds.

The CL550 engineering team added a new torsional vibration damper to the transmission that is designed to eliminate cyclic irregularities and vibrations in the automatic shifter. The system doubles as a turbo-damper, which has a centrifugal pendulum that alters the mass center of gravity with engine speed. This results in smoother vehicle operation at lower speeds.

Journalists here tested the new CL550 on a drive through the Hudson Valley hills, about 75 miles (121 km) north of New York. The new model hugs the road and corners very flat. However, the conforming side wings of the seatback really snug up and can be somewhat uncomfortable during tight cornering.

The CL550 also has a blind-spot and lane-departure prevention system that is very aggressive. During the test drive, the CL550 was aggressively nudged back into the lane by the braking of the opposite wheels when it was allowed to wander too close to the white line.

As expected, the interior comfort and design of the new models are all a car buyer could want in elegant leather seats and hand-polished woods.

Herring claims Mercedes researchers have found occupants of the cars experience heartbeat reductions of 5-10 beats per minute. Should drivers become too relaxed, there is a drowsiness detector designed to stir them back to fully focus on the road ahead.

Mercedes premium quartet has been on sale in Europe since mid-September. The AMG models are built at the subsidiary’s plant in Affalterbach, Germany, which also produces engines for the models. AMG engines are built by one worker from a total of 226 parts. The assembler can build two engines a day, at most.

Mercedes’ Sindelfingen, Germany, facility produces the other two cars. An engine plant nearby provides the powerplants. Herring says the factories are fully ramped up now, and the first CL models are arriving in the U.S. now.