Mercedes might just have announced its finest all-weather coupe. Benz is planning a four-wheel-drive version of the CL500, complete with 388bhp V8 engine, and it’s due for launch this summer. It’ll be called the CL500 4MATIC and uses the most modern version of Merc’s permanent four-wheel-drive system, which has already proved successful in the S-Class. Mercedes claims that, because the 4MATIC system is the lightest of its kind, weighing just 70kg, the new CL 4MATIC won’t suffer from worsened fuel economy compared with the standard rear-wheel-drive version. Both return a claimed 23mpg combined. Yet with all-wheel grip, the CL500 4MATIC sprints from 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds (0.1sec faster than the rear drive model) and carries on to a limited 155mph. What’s most interesting about this is that Mercedes could now introduce the 4MATIC powertrain on its other, higher performance CLs. Can we interest anyone in a four-wheel-drive, 612bhp CL65 AMG for example?For now though, the CL500 4MATIC slots into the luxury two-door range between the standard CL500 and the focused CL 63AMG. We anticipate a price tag around £85k. The CL600 and CL65 AMG stay top of the range.
Add your comment