Buyer’s Guide: 2012 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class

19-inch five-triple-spoke AMG wheel replaces five-spoke AMG wheel on CL550 4MATIC and CL600 as standard equipment
- Exterior colours: Andorite Grey and Cavansite Blue added; Flint Grey and Tanzanite Blue discontinued

Having undergone several revisions for 2011, the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class is unchanged for 2012, except for wheel and colour changes.

The CL-Class comes in four models. The CL550 4MATIC uses a 4.6-litre bi-turbo V8 with seven-speed automatic; the CL600 uses a 5.5-litre bi-turbo V12 with five-speed automatic; the CL63 AMG uses a 5.5-litre bi-turbo V8 with seven-speed AMG Speedshift automatic; and the CL65 AMG uses a 6.-litre bi-turbo V12 with five-speed AMG Speedshift automatic transmission. The CL550 4MATIC is all-wheel drive; all others are rear-wheel drive.

Features on the CL550 4Matic include 19-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, adaptive brake system with hill start assist, navigation system, voice control, Harman/Kardon Logic7 surround sound system, Sirius satellite radio, Bluetooth connectivity, active bi-xenon headlamps with washers, cornering lights and Adaptive Highbeam Assist, electronic parking brake with convenience release function, power-assisted soft-close trunk, power-folding heated mirrors with integrated turn signals, rain-sensing wipers, heated washer system, 14-way power-adjustable heated seats with three-position memory and Passion leather upholstery, high-gloss Burl Walnut trim, heated wood and leather steering wheel, steering wheel-mounted shifter buttons, power sunroof, auto-dimming rearview and driver’s side mirror, ambient lighting, pneumatic rear head restraints, power tilt and telescopic steering column, auto up/down windows, power rear sunshade, Keyless Go, LED exterior lighting package, Parktronic with parking guidance, Attention Assist, garage door opener, continuously variable door hold system, cruise control, TeleAid emergency calling, tire pressure monitoring system, and rearview camera.

The CL63 AMG adds 20-inch alloy wheels, steering wheel-mounted shifter paddles, Active Body Control, heated and cooled Drive-Dynamic multi-contour seats with massage function, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, and Alcantara headliner.

The CL600 builds on the CL550 4Matic and adds Active Body Control, heated and cooled Drive-Dynamic multi-contour seats with massage function, exclusive Passion leather upholstery, Poplar wood trim, Alcantara headliner, adaptive cruise control, Night View Assist, and blind spot monitoring system.

The CL65 AMG builds on the CL63 AMG and adds exclusive Passion leather upholstery, heated wood and leather steering wheel, adaptive cruise control, Night View Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, and Active Lane Keeping Assist.