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By Ron Brill

he three things you need to know about the new 2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class - with its eight-cylinder power-plant pumping out 285 kW/388 horsepower, which accelerates from zero to 62 mph in a whopping 4.6 seconds - is that it's fast, obnoxious and thirsty.

With all respect to the automaker's stylists, the car is pretty noticeable. Based on the latest S-Class styling and technology, this generation of the four-seat coupe is the seventh since the 300 S of 1952. And for ‘07 changes, they’re in abundance; the top-of-the-line CL 600 features all-new sheet-metal and a full roster of innovative hardware, including the new Intelligent Light System. The coupe, whose styling was inspired from the CLS sedan, is now larger in almost all exterior dimensions, with a larger interior and trunk as well.

Impossibly heavy, implausibly wide and comprising, the two-door coupe has indeed grown fatter, longer and higher. The new coupe clocks in at 5065 mm long, 1871 mm wide and 1418 mm high, making the body 75mm longer, 14 mm wider and 20 mm higher than the previous model.

High design finds its way into the interior too: the large side window opening draws the eye to the elegant dash, fine wood trim and supple leather upholstery. A COMAND controller operates functions such as the navigation system, car phone, car radio and DVD player. The Automatic climate control, COMAND with car radio and CD/DVD player as well as a glass sunroof are all part of the standard install.

Among the cutting-edge Mercedes innovations on the luxury coupe are the Active Body Control (ABC) suspension system, Intelligent Light System with five lighting functions and PRE-SAFE® anticipatory occupant protection, Keyless Go, dynamic multicontour seats with massage and the four-zone climate control.

Yes, indeed, the fast, obnoxious and thirsty top-of-the-line CL 600 is many things - but not subtle. The engine features variably adjustable shifting camshafts, a two-stage intake module and tumble flaps in the intake ducts, making the new V8 among the most advanced and powerful engines in its displacement class.

The redesigned Mercedes-Benz CL-Class will hit showrooms this fall. - S.W.