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2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Review
Sleek new sedan looks like a coupe.
2006 CLS-Class Review Summary & Specifications
The Mercedes-Benz CLS is as pleasurable to drive as it is to gaze upon. It's at once a modern product of the wind tunnel and an evocation of the aero-inspired French school of automotive design from the 1930s. Mercedes says it should sell about 30,000 models wordwide, with the majority in America. Buyers might otherwise have opted for the Lexus GS 430, Jaguar XJ8, 5 and 6 Series BMWs, Audi A6, perhaps even Cadillac. A few final questions: Has Mercedes reversed the recent slide from the top of the quality surveys? Will this beauty be of the temperamental sort? Or will it be the fulfillment of every car lover's dreams?New Car Test Drive correspondent Greg Brown is based in Southern California.
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| Vehicle Category | Luxury Cars |
| Editor | Greg N. Brown |
| Model Lineup | Mercedes-Benz CLS500 ($64,900); Mercedes-Benz CLS55 AMG ($86,600) |
| Engines (standard) | 5.0-liter sohc 24-valve V8 |
| Engines (optional) | 302-hp 5.0-liter V8; 469-hp 5.5-liter supercharged V8 |
| Transmissions (standard) | 7-speed automatic |
| Transmissions (optional) | 7-speed automatic; 5-speed automatic |
| Safety Equipment (standard) | Electronic Stability Program, ABS, Brake Assist, roll-over sensor, dual front airbags multi-stage deployment, seatbelts with pre-tensioners and seatbelt force limiters, front and rear side-impact airbags and head protection curtains, low-tire pressure warning system, Tele Aid emergency calling and communication system |
| Safety Equipment (optional) | |
| Basic Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Assembled In | Sindelfingen, Germany |
| Manufacturer Phone | 1-800-FOR-MERCEDES |
| Manufacturer URL | www.mbusa.com |
| Base Price MSRP | 64900 |
| Model Tested MSRP | Mercedes-Benz CLS500 ($64,900) |
| Standard Equipment | four-zone climate control, 10-way power adjustable front seats with 3-position memory, multifunction steering wheel, electric adjustable tilt and telescoping steering column, cruise control, 10-speaker audio system with AM/FM/single-disc CD, leather upholstery, hand-polished wood trim, power windows with express up and down, auto-dimming rear/driver side mirrors with right-side park assist, infrared remote central locking system with user-recognition, integrated garage door opener, power tilt/sliding glass sunroof, blue-tinted glass, floor mats, navigation pre-wiring, Mercedes-Benz maintenance system |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) | Lighting Package: bi-xenon with active curve lighting and headlamp washers ($1,220); AMG Sport Package: steering wheel with shift buttons, AMG body cladding, 18-inch AMG wheels ($4,950); Premium Package: active ventilated and multicontour seats with heating, DVD Navigation, 6-disc CD changer, harman/kardon auto, power rear-window sunshade ($3,650) |
| Destination Charge | 720 |
| Gas Guzzler Tax | |
| Price as Tested | 76740 |
| Layout | rear-wheel drive |
| Horse Power | 302 @ 5600 |
| Torque | 339 @ 2700-4250 |
| Fuel Economy | 16/22 |
| Wheelbase | 112.4 |
| Length/Width/Height | 193.4/73.7/54.7 |
| Track Front/Rear | |
| Turning Radius | 36.7 |
| Seating Capacity | 4 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room | 36.9/58.0/na |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room | |
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room | 36.1/57.6/na |
| Trunk Volume | |
| Payload | |
| Towing Capacity | |
| Front Suspension | independent four-link, AIRMATIC DC full air suspension with level control, anti-dive |
| Rear Suspension | independent multi-link, AIRMATIC DC full air suspension system with level control, anti-squat and anti-dive |
| Ground Clearance | |
| Curb Weight | 3990 |
| Stock Tires | 245/40R18 front, 275/35R18 rear |
| Brakes Front/Rear | Sensotronic Brake Control, front and rear discs, internally ventilated, ABS, Brake Assist, ESP |
| Fuel Capacity | 21.1 |
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2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
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