Buy this car with AAA

• List price: $65,675 • Tested: $77,515 • MPG - 16 city/ 22 highway

Likes:

• Drop-dead gorgeous • Beautiful, boardroom like interior • Silky-smooth handling

Dislikes:

• Overall poor visibility • Awkward rear seat entry-exit • Tight fit for tall drivers

This beauty is more than skin deep

Nothing draws attention like stunning good looks, case in point the Mercedes-Benz CLS, an all-new model in their lineup for 2006. With a stunning visual presence that few if any of its peers can match, it could be easy to overlook the refinements of technology function and automotive advancement Mercedes has built into the CLS.

But there’s a difference between style and design; great design must include equally outstanding function. Take the paint for example: Available in a choice of twelve colors even the paint is functionally special with the clearcoat layer impregnated with minuscule ceramic particles that Mercedes claims increases resistance to scratches by 300% over conventional automotive finishes. Available only as a four-door (a two-door CL version is expected to be introduced in May 2006) that Mercedes calls a coupe, it’s offered as either the 302 hp V-8 powered CLS500 ($65,675 base price), or the ultra high performance CLS 55 AMG edition ($87,375 base price), powered by a supercharged V-8 producing 469 hp. You’ll need to add an additional $720 for destination and delivery and another $1,300 gas-guzzler tax which seems puzzling since it gets 16-mpg city and 22-mpg highway, hardly the dismal mileage most SUVs are getting.

The words “sleek”, “sloping”, “cutting” or “athletic” come to mind as your eyes pass along the seductively arched roof, high window beltline and frameless door glass that gives it the coupe appearance. Contoured wheel arches and low overhangs add to the athletic look. Up front the multi-element jeweled-looking headlamps sweep back as though they have been stretched by the wind. The three-pointed star has been incorporated into the three-rib grille. Our Iridium Silver test car came with Sunset Red (think terra cotta clay pot red) leather trimmed interior with real burl walnut in a matte finish. Mercedes says the hand-finished wood is the largest single piece ever used in a modern Mercedes. As expected it looked terrific and expensive.

Our car added the Sport Package for $4,950 that included AMG wheels and body cladding, and buttons on the steering wheel allowing the automatic transmission to be shifted in manual mode. We were also treated to the optional Premium Package $3,650 that included heated and ventilated multicontour seats, navigation system, Harmon/Kardon 6-disc CD audio system and a power rear window shade.

The cockpit of a modern jetliner has nothing over the CLS when it comes to buttons. The center dash is loaded with them and I quit counting at seventy. Most operate some function around the navigation screen, which also serves to operate the audio system. Unlike some other luxury cars, they’re intuitive and fairly easy to figure out.

Three main gauges beyond the steering wheel house the clock, speedometer and tachometer and are covered by a special mineral glass for ease in readability. Throughout the cabin fit and finish is flawless and exudes hand-finished quality. Nice touches abound like the chrome nameplate on the doorframe, chrome finishing at door edges, dual, contoured roll-top consoles for the rear seat, four-zone climate control, four reading lamps and courtesy lamps with programmable fade-out time. You expect all this and more and Mercedes doesn’t disappoint.

Still with all the accolades for style, design and function there are some concerns. Given the sloping roofline and added space to accommodate the power sunroof, as a tall driver I felt cramped, as did passengers in the back seat. Crawling in and out of the backseat isn’t easy without a bump on the noggin and once seated the view out is impeded by the shallow quarter windows.

Also, because of the high beltline, short drivers and riders felt even shorter and had difficulty with visibility. Add outside rearview mirrors that seemed too small visibility is poor all around. Performance, ride and handling is impeccable, silken over road imperfections and unflappable where other cars give up under demands. No leans in cornering, no complaints when pushed to its limits. Braking is excellent and the overall driving experience is world class.

While the CLS has not yet been crash tested, safety features abound with a full complement of eight airbags including curtain and side airbags for rear seat occupants. The CLS comes with a rollover sensor that when detected in certain rollover situations it will automatically deploy the seat-belt emergency tensioning devices to help reduce occupant movement and if deemed necessary, inflate the head protection curtains.

As expected in the price and class of vehicle, the CLS comes standard with electronic stability control programming, air suspension system that raises or lowers the ride height automatically or with the push of a button, emergency brake assist and low tire pressure warning system. However, because of poor rearward visibility a backup camera like Infiniti uses would be extremely helpful.

Overall the CLS could be as close as any vehicle gets to a car lover’s dream car. Although a bit snug it will accommodate four comfortably. Everything about the CLS screams style, quality and athletic luxury, an impressive feat and rare combination. It certainly has the country club set second-guessing what’s in their driveways.

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