Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Coupé (C215) · CL

C215

Flagship two-door luxury for the new millennium.

Production: 1999–2006
Built: 48,039
Body: Coupé
Chassis: C215

Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Coupé (C215) (C215)

After the massive C140, Mercedes-Benz's next flagship coupé chose elegance over excess — the C215 CL-Class was lower, sleeker, and powered by a new generation of V8 and V12 engines that matched its more contemporary silhouette.

The C215 CL-Class debuted in 1999 on a dedicated platform distinct from the W220 S-Class sedan, with frameless side glass and a range of engines from the 4.0-liter V8 through the 5.8-liter and 6.0-liter V12s. Active Body Control suspension, Distronic adaptive cruise control, and the COMAND navigation system placed the CL at the forefront of Mercedes-Benz technology; AMG variants including the CL 55 and CL 65 offered supercharged and twin-turbocharged performance in a grand-touring body.

Produced from 1999 to 2006, the C215 CL-Class bridged the hand-built C140 era and the more integrated C216 generation — a technological flagship that proved Mercedes-Benz could make a large coupé feel agile as well as opulent.

C215 interior — Cabin details of the C215, as preserved in period photography.

Every model.

9 model designations across 1999–2006 — engines, chassis codes and production figures for the C215.

Model	Model years	Chassis	Engine	Total
CL 500	2000–2002	215.375	113.960	32,224
CL 500	2003–2006	215.375	113.960	included above
CL 55 AMG	2000	215.375	113.986	2,217
CL 55 AMG F1 Limited Edition	2000	215.373	113.986	55
CL 55 AMG	2001–2002	215.373	113.986	included above
CL 55 AMG	2003–2006	215.374	113.991	4,163
CL 600	2003–2006	215.376	275.950	2,255
CL 63 AMG	2002	215.378	137.980	included above
CL 65 AMG	2004–2006	215.379	275.980	777

* The published production figure covers every series of that model; the source does not break it down further.

Studio profile of the C215 — the proportions that defined this chassis.

C215 rear three-quarter view — Rear three-quarter view of the C215.

Engines.

The M113, M137 and M275 as fitted to the C215.

M113

113.960 5.0 L · 4,966 cc
306 PS
225 kW · 302 hp at 5,600 rpm
460 N·m
339 lb·ft at 2,700 rpm
113.986 5.4 L · 5,439 cc
360 PS
265 kW · 355 hp at 5,500 rpm
530 N·m
391 lb·ft at 3,150 rpm

M275

V12

275.950 5.5 L · 5,513 cc
500 PS
368 kW · 493 hp at 5,000 rpm
800 N·m
590 lb·ft at 1,800 rpm
275.980 6.0 L · 5,980 cc
612 PS
450 kW · 604 hp at 4,800 rpm
1000 N·m
738 lb·ft at 2,000 rpm

M137

V12

137.980 6.3 L · 6,258 cc
444 PS
327 kW · 438 hp at 5,500 rpm
620 N·m
457 lb·ft at 4,400 rpm