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Mercedes-Benz USA Announces All-New CL500 On Sale

15 December 1999

Mercedes-Benz USA Announces All-New CL500 On Sale;        

    MONTVALE, N.J., Dec. 15 -- Mercedes-Benz USA announces that
the all-new, premium luxury CL500 coupe goes on sale this month with a price
of $85,500.  In designing this new opulent Mercedes-Benz, designers placed an
emphasis on unique elegance, sophistication and advanced suspension and
electronics.
    (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19991215/NYW002-a
             http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19991215/NYW002-b )
    The new CL500 bears such Mercedes design hallmarks as four distinctive
oval headlights and the unique overall interpretation underscores exclusive,
fine design.  Organically rounded fenders, a delicate, yet dynamic roofline
and a wrap-around rear window highlight this jewel-like coupe.
    Inside, the all-new CL500 will take luxury and convenience to a level
befitting this 21st century flagship, with lavish appointments and
sophisticated integration of navigation and entertainment systems.
    The new, limited-production CL500 is powered by a 302-horsepower 5.0-liter
V8 that generates an impressive 339 lbs.-ft. of torque in a plateau from
2,700 to 4,250 rpm, thanks, in part, to a 2-stage intake manifold.  This
smooth V8 mates with an intelligent five-speed automatic transmission with
Touch Shift, which enables the driver to manually select each gear, as well.

    ABC Spells Active Body Control
    The new Mercedes-Benz CL500 features revolutionary Active Body Control
(ABC).  This high-performance, active suspension system virtually eliminates
body roll and pitch during cornering, braking and acceleration.  For years,
automotive engineers have dreamed of active suspension to counteract the body
roll caused by cornering and braking (technically, the forces of acceleration
in any direction), but technical limitations have held them off.  Active
suspension depends on advanced electronic controls and extremely fast-acting
hydraulic servos at each wheel.
    The driver experiences the benefits of ABC not only as superb, sporty
handling, but this agility comes simultaneously with a new level of truly
outstanding ride comfort, as well.  ABC makes use of high-speed servos and
sensors to give the system its split-second reaction time.

    Leaner and Lighter
    Exceptional aerodynamics yield a drag coefficient (or CD) of 0.28 for the
new CL, combining with intelligent, lightweight design for superb performance.
The new coupe is over 500 pounds lighter than its predecessor, thanks to a
variety of weight-saving materials such as aluminum, advanced composite
materials and magnesium.  The trunk lid is manufactured from one of these
composites, allowing the TeleAid and telephone antennae to be placed inside
the lid itself.  A steel trunk lid would, of course, render any antenna inside
useless.
    Dimensionally, the all-new Mercedes-Benz CL coupe is three inches shorter
and over two inches narrower than its predecessor, yet does not sacrifice
passenger comfort.

    A Treasure Trove of Technology
    In addition to standard-equipment ABC active suspension and ESP stability
control, the new CL coupe will come with a number of new advanced-technology
standard features:

    -- BiXenon lighting: both high-beam and low-beam headlights use high
       intensity discharge bulbs with automatic level control, heated washers,
       and three driver-programmable modes (front foglights and a single rear
       red foglight are standard, as well).

    -- Tele Aid: a standard automatic call system with precise vehicle
       location via Global Satellite Positioning (GPS) for emergency response,
       plus other non-emergency client services.

    -- COMAND: (COckpit MANagement and Data system) controls the standard
       satellite-based navigation system, 10-speaker Bose(R) premium audio
       system with subwoofer, Vehicle Noise Compensation and standard CD
       changer.

    -- Head protection curtain airbags: these provide occupants with a high
       level of protection in side collisions (in conjunction with standard
       door-mounted side airbags and front airbags).

    -- Dual zone automatic climate control: includes sensors for humidity, air
       pollutants and sun strength.

    Like Mercedes-Benz flagship coupes before it, the all-new CL takes its
place among the most desirable cars in the world.  It combines timeless design
and high performance with advanced technology, the Mercedes-Benz safety
standard and, of course, unparalleled luxury.