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| Mercedes-Benz
CLS 500 - 2007 model year |
Broadcast
date : 3rd September 2006 |
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Well, what have we here. Looks
like a classy set of wheels parked outside a pub in Germany.
What else is new?
Okay, so realizing that Clint has a life outside of Wesbank
and Zwartkops Raceways is different; and seeing him in
a Stuttgart suburb in a Merc with German plates is something
to take note of.
He was lucky enough to get hold of the latest CLS Merc during
a short trip that would include track time at the famous
Hockenheim GP circuit.
This suburban sortie in DaimlerChrysler’s hometown was an
opportunity to sample what is probably the best-looking 2007
model year Benz. Pity about the weather, lucky it has
rain-sensing wipers!
The 2007 model year Mercedes-Benz CLS comes with three new
engine options. Interestingly, the petrol-fueled CLS350 gets
the new direct-injection system with spray-guided combustion,
thanks to new injector nozzle technology.
This improves both fuel economy and power by up to 15 per cent
on the V6 petrol engine.
All the CLS models, including the 500 that Clint is exploring,
feature an up-dated standard specification. The new Adaptive
Brake system also makes pulling away on hills easier.
The past few months have seen a flurry of CLS models make
their appearance on South African roads, and with an up-market
interior like this, it’s not hard to see why, especially
when finished in the creamy leather of Clint’s German model.
It takes a while to acquaint yourself with the vast range of
buttons, dials, panels, controls and hidden features that make
the CLS not only a luxury model, but an ultra-luxury model.
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We have commented before that
the CLS manages a very un-Germanic approach to its interior,
and the panel work on both storage compartments and seats
echoes the swoopy flowing lines of the exterior.
This car had dark wood trim instead of the more common burr
walnut, and happily for our man on his way to Hockenheim, the
now obligatory navigation system.
We don’t know how Europeans survived without these aids in
days past!
The new CLS500’s V8 is directly out of the S-Class and is
now more than competitive with the power outputs of its BMW
and Audi rivals.
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And there’s also a CLS63 AMG
model due soon with a new naturally aspirated – as opposed
to supercharged – V8 that develops 378 kilowatts!
That will be a stunning model, which we expect to be a lot
smoother than the supercharged predecessor, and costing a
sort-of-reasonable R965000.
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Mercedes-Benz CLS500 -
2007 model year
- Engine: V8 petrol,
5 461 cc
- Power: 285 kW @ 6
000 rpm
- Torque: 530 Nm @ 2
800 rpm
- Transmission:
Seven-speed automatic, rear-wheel-drive
- 0-100 km/h: 5,4
seconds
- Top speed: 250
km/h
- Fuel consumption:
14,9 litres/100 km (estimated)
- Price: R715 000
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