Mercedes CL600 CAR review

Who would buy a CL when they could have an S-class or, more likely, an SL?

You’d be surprised just how many people have fallen for the blend of S-class refinement, seating for four and a sharper package. Merc has shipped 46,800 of the knife-edged old-shape CL since 1999; only the chunky 80’s SEC did better, at 74,000.

Doesn’t look much like an S-class

Be thankful for small mercies. The wheelarches are nicely integrated, the bespoke grille and lights give a much stronger face. The only styling element which doesn’t quite work is the huge rear window that cuts into the roof. That and the fact that if you want rims bigger than 19inches across, you’ll have to go aftermarket.