Geneva Preview: 2008 Mercedes-Benz CL500 4MATIC (Four-Wheel-Drive)

As much as we like rear-wheel-drive models, if you happen to live in snow-flaked areas like Massachusetts, there comes a time when you just wish your car had an all-wheel-drive system. And while we’re in no position to buy a Mercedes, we’re pretty sure that a lot of people will be glad to hear that Mercedes is about to launch a four-wheel-drive version of its top notch coupe, the CL Class.

Available from this summer, the new CL 500 4MATIC gets Mercedes-Benz’ latest generation permanent all-wheel drive system that has already proven successful in the S-Class. According to the German carmaker, the newly-developed 4MATIC is the lightest drive system of its kind weighing in at just 70 kg or 154 lbs. -Continued

The combined NEDC fuel consumption of the CL 500 4MATIC is 12.1 litres per 100 kilometres or 19.5 US MPG, which puts it at the same level as the CL 500 with rear-wheel drive. The CL 500 4MATIC requires 5.4 seconds to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h (62 MPH), and it reaches an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h or 155 MPH.