Mercedes-Benz CL-Klasse and predecessors

1972 – 1981 Germany

With production running from 1972 to 1981, the Mercedes-Benz CL-Klasse and predecessors stayed on sale for 9 years. All 5 variants use petrol engines, from 185 to 239 hp. Compared with the previous generation (1965), peak power fell from 250 to 239 hp, and minimum weight went down by 935 kg.

Body styleNot specified

Production1972 – 1981

Variants5

FuelPetrol

Key specifications (range)

Power185 – 239 hp

0–100 km/h8.3 – 10.8 s

Top speed200 – 225 km/h

Fuel economy11.0 – 13.2 L/100 km

Rear Wheel Drive

Similar cars

Ford Thunderbird1972 – 1976 up to215 hp

Lamborghini Urraco1972 – 1979 up to265 hp

Porsche 911 Carrera RS1972 – 1973 up to210 hp

Ferrari Dino1973 – 1980 up to255 hp

Rolls-Royce Corniche1971 – 1996 up to218 hp

Dodge Charger1974 – 1978 up to243 hp

Variant	Fuel	Power	0–100	Top	Gearbox
280 5MT RWD (185 HP) 2.7 L · 6 cyl · Rear Wheel Drive	Gasoline	185 hp	10.1 s	204	5-Speed manual
350 V8 4AT RWD (204 HP) 3.5 L · 8 cyl · Rear Wheel Drive	Gasoline	204 hp	10.8 s	200	4-Speed automatic
380 V8 4AT RWD (220 HP) 3.8 L · 8 cyl · Rear Wheel Drive	Gasoline	220 hp	9.6 s	203	4-Speed automatic
450 V8 4AT RWD (230 HP) 4.5 L · 8 cyl · Rear Wheel Drive	Gasoline	230 hp	8.5 s	216	4-Speed automatic
450 V8 4AT RWD (240 HP) 5.0 L · 8 cyl · Rear Wheel Drive	Gasoline	239 hp	8.3 s	225	4-Speed automatic

Engine

Cylinders: L6
Displacement: 2746 cm3 (168 ci)
Power: 136 KW @ 5800 RPM185 HP @ 5800 RPM182 BHP @ 5800 RPM
Torque: 177 lb-ft @ 4500 RPM240 Nm @ 4500 RPM
Fuel System: Multipoint Injection
Fuel: Gasoline
Fuel capacity: 23.8 gallons (90.1 L)

Performance

Top Speed: 127 mph (204 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): 10.1 s

Transmission

Drive Type: Rear Wheel Drive
Gearbox: 5-Speed manual

Brakes

Front: Ventilated Discs
Rear: Discs

Tires

Tire Size: 185/70R14

Dimensions

Length: 186.6 in (4740 mm)
Width: 70.5 in (1791 mm)
Height: 52.4 in (1331 mm)
Front/rear Track: 57.2/56.7 in (1,453/1,440 mm)
Wheelbase: 111 in (2819 mm)
Ground Clearance: 6.7 in (170 mm)
Cargo Volume: 10.7 cuFT (303 L)
Aerodynamics (Cd): 0.43

Weight

Unladen Weight: 3549 lbs (1610 kg)
Gross Weight Limit: 4233 lbs (1920 kg)

Fuel Economy (nedc)

Combined: 20.6 mpg US (11.4 L/100Km)
CO2 Emissions: 271.6 g/km

Engine

Cylinders: V8
Displacement: 3499 cm3 (214 ci)
Power: 150 KW @ 5800 RPM204 HP @ 5800 RPM201 BHP @ 5800 RPM
Torque: 211 lb-ft @ 4000 RPM286 Nm @ 4000 RPM
Fuel System: Electronic Fuel Injection
Fuel: Gasoline
Fuel capacity: 23.8 gallons (90.1 L)

Performance

Top Speed: 124 mph (200 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): 10.8 s

Transmission

Drive Type: Rear Wheel Drive
Gearbox: 4-Speed automatic

Brakes

Front: Ventilated Discs
Rear: Discs

Tires

Tire Size: 205/70R14

Dimensions

Length: 186.6 in (4740 mm)
Width: 70.5 in (1791 mm)
Height: 52.4 in (1331 mm)
Front/rear Track: 57.1/56.7 in (1,450/1,440 mm)
Wheelbase: 111 in (2819 mm)
Ground Clearance: 6.7 in (170 mm)
Cargo Volume: 10.7 cuFT (303 L)
Aerodynamics (Cd): 0.43

Weight

Unladen Weight: 3516 lbs (1595 kg)

Fuel Economy (nedc)

Combined: 20.3 mpg US (11.6 L/100Km)
CO2 Emissions: 276 g/km

Engine

Cylinders: V8
Displacement: 3839 cm3 (234 ci)
Power: 162 KW @ 5500 RPM220 HP @ 5500 RPM217 BHP @ 5500 RPM
Torque: 225 lb-ft @ 3000 RPM305 Nm @ 3000 RPM
Fuel System: Multipoint Injection
Fuel: Gasoline
Fuel capacity: 23.8 gallons (90.1 L)

Performance

Top Speed: 126 mph (203 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): 9.6 s

Transmission

Drive Type: Rear Wheel Drive
Gearbox: 4-Speed automatic

Brakes

Front: Ventilated Discs
Rear: Discs

Tires

Tire Size: 205/65VR15

Dimensions

Length: 186.6 in (4740 mm)
Width: 70.5 in (1791 mm)
Height: 52.4 in (1331 mm)
Front/rear Track: 57.2/56.7 in (1,453/1,440 mm)
Wheelbase: 111 in (2819 mm)
Ground Clearance: 6.7 in (170 mm)
Cargo Volume: 10.7 cuFT (303 L)
Aerodynamics (Cd): 0.43

Weight

Unladen Weight: 3439 lbs (1560 kg)

Fuel Economy (nedc)

Combined: 21.3 mpg US (11 L/100Km)
CO2 Emissions: 263 g/km

Engine

Cylinders: V8
Displacement: 4520 cm3 (276 ci)
Power: 169 KW @ 5000 RPM230 HP @ 5000 RPM227 BHP @ 5000 RPM
Torque: 279 lb-ft @ 300 RPM378 Nm @ 300 RPM
Fuel System: Multipoint Injection
Fuel: Gasoline
Fuel capacity: 23.8 gallons (90.1 L)

Performance

Top Speed: 134 mph (216 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): 8.5 s

Transmission

Drive Type: Rear Wheel Drive
Gearbox: 4-Speed automatic

Brakes

Front: Ventilated Discs
Rear: Discs

Tires

Tire Size: 205/70 VR14

Dimensions

Length: 186.6 in (4740 mm)
Width: 70.5 in (1791 mm)
Height: 52.4 in (1331 mm)
Front/rear Track: 57.2/56.7 in (1,453/1,440 mm)
Wheelbase: 111 in (2819 mm)
Ground Clearance: 6.7 in (170 mm)
Cargo Volume: 10.7 cuFT (303 L)
Aerodynamics (Cd): 0.43

Weight

Unladen Weight: 3605 lbs (1635 kg)

Fuel Economy (nedc)

Combined: 17.8 mpg US (13.2 L/100Km)
CO2 Emissions: 314 g/km

Engine

Cylinders: V8
Displacement: 5025 cm3 (307 ci)
Power: 176 KW @ 5000 RPM239 HP @ 5000 RPM236 BHP @ 5000 RPM
Torque: 296 lb-ft @ 3200 RPM401 Nm @ 3200 RPM
Fuel System: Multipoint Injection
Fuel: Gasoline
Fuel capacity: 23.8 gallons (90.1 L)

Performance

Top Speed: 140 mph (225 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): 8.3 s

Transmission

Drive Type: Rear Wheel Drive
Gearbox: 4-Speed automatic

Brakes

Front: Ventilated Discs
Rear: Discs

Tires

Tire Size: 205/70 VR 14

Dimensions

Length: 186.6 in (4740 mm)
Width: 70.5 in (1791 mm)
Height: 52.4 in (1331 mm)
Front/rear Track: 57.2/56.7 in (1,453/1,440 mm)
Wheelbase: 111 in (2819 mm)
Ground Clearance: 6.7 in (170 mm)
Cargo Volume: 10.7 cuFT (303 L)
Aerodynamics (Cd): 0.43

Weight

Unladen Weight: 3340 lbs (1515 kg)

Length4,740 mm

Width1,791 mm

Height1,331 mm

Wheelbase2,819 mm

Curb weight1,515 – 1,635 kg

Torque240 – 401 Nm

Ranges across all 5 variants of this generation.