A CLass apart

The new CL and S320 CDI are here.

DaimlerChrysler India have upped the ante in the last one year. They first brought in the new Mercedes-Benz S350 to India while plonking in new engines in the E-Class' engine bay. Then they made an entry into the commercial vehicle segment with the Actros tipper.

Not to rest on their laurels, they started deliveries of the facelifted E-Class and at the end of 2006, re-entered the SUV segment with the ML350.

Now, not waiting till the end of the year for another interesting launch "" the new C-Class "" they've added some flair to the coupe market and launched the all-new CL500 and CL600 while offering the S320 CDI for the oil-burning lovers of the premium saloon lot.

The seventh generation CL, the flagship coupe to wear the three-pointed star, was launched at the 2006 Paris Auto Show last September. Based on the current S-Class, the new CL is longer and wider than its predecessor.

Featuring two engine options, a 5461cc V8 and a 5513cc turbocharged V12, the new CL is substantially more powerful as well. Producing 388 bhp at 6000 rpm, up 82 bhp and 517 bhp at 5000 rpm, up nearly 150 horses, the new CL 500 and 600 can set the tarmac afire by hitting a ton in 5.4 and 4.6 seconds respectively.

Mated to a seven-speed auto, both the CL500 and 600 can do a restricted top speed of 250 kph. But given the massive size of the cylinders, 53 kgm and 83 kgm of peak twisting force ensure you have to constantly check your tyres for wear.

Not that DaimlerChrysler have spent all their R&D money on producing slurp-licious engine blocks. Swathed in rich Alcantara leather, the B-pillarless coupe is adorned with embellishments that would make a Porsche 911 owner cringe.

From the intelligent Comand that controls the car audio, navigation and your phonebook to the ventilated seats that not only cool and heat but also massage your strained back, the CL is a gadget freak's automobile.

Safety features such as Active Body Control that use sensors on the axle to detect pitch and roll, Brake Assist, ABS, airbags, night assist and Distronic round up the list. None of this is cheap, though. In Mumbai, the CL500 is priced at a whopping Rs 1.17 crore, while the 600 takes it to another plane with a Rs 1.62 crore price tag.

Unless of course you want a four-door sedan with loads of grunt, a diesel engine and a price that is worth a decent 2 BHK in Mumbai. The S320 CDI fits such a bill perfectly.

Available for an ex-showroom price tag of Rs 71.12 lakh in the island city, it brings in the best of Mercedes' diesel technology, while retaining the character and class of the standard S-Class.

Featuring a more powerful version of the 2987cc diesel engine found on the E280 CDI, the S320 produces 235 bhp at 3600 rpm and a staggering 54 kgm of peak torque at a very low 1600-2400 rpm band.

Slot it into D, and the nearly two-tonne sedan can despatch the century mark in less than 8 seconds, before topping out at 250 kph. Okay, now the ball is in the court of the other two German manufacturers.