Test drive Jaguar XK8 and Mercedes CL 500: Benz and cat

Two elite coupes of different character, probably the car classics of the future

In the 1999 version of the S-Class CL Coupe, Mercedes has invested more high-tech and electronics than ever before. Maybe a much more modest looking Jaguar XK8 to compete with?

17 years ago, we admired "the best Mercedes of all time" again. This is the conclusion reached by automotive motor and sport tests of the CL 600 with a V12 engine and 367 hp. There were many reasons for this, some of which we will also point out here because they are also valid for the CL 500, whose V8 block generates "only" 306 hp. This more affordable alternative to the CL 600, which then cost 178 marks and was about 292 marks cheaper than the V60 coupe, will hit the road today with the Jaguar XK000, whose four-liter V12 has a comparable output of 8bhp. ..

Mercedes' gigantic technical effort in the CL series, also known as the C 215, is evident in the lightweight combination of materials for a sleeker, more spacious and lighter body: aluminum roof, front lid, doors, rear wall and rear side panels magnesium, front fenders, trunk lid and bumpers are made of plastic. Together with significantly smaller external dimensions, this reduces the weight compared to the massive C 140 predecessor by as much as 240 kg.

The famous ABC chassis

One of the most important technical innovations is the active suspension based on steel springs, called Active Body Control (ABC). With the help of sensor-controlled hydraulic cylinders, ABC constantly compensates for lateral and longitudinal body sway - when starting off, stopping and turning at high speed. The active chassis with ride height control and 200 bar high-pressure hydraulic system was only available for the CL Coupé, while the corresponding W 220 S-Class Sedan only had air suspension with the Adaptive Damper System (ADS).

Other innovations that, according to auto motor und sport, have made the C 215 Coupé a "pioneer of technological progress" are emergency braking, Distronic automatic distance control, bi-xenon headlights, keyless entry and Comand system with multi-function screen for radio central control, music system . , phone, navigation, TV, CD player and even a cassette player. Of course, Distronic, telephone, navigation and television were also available for an additional fee for the "small" CL 500.

With a weight of more than 50 kg, the front seats with memory function and integrated belt system can optionally be equipped with inflatable side supports that constantly adapt to the driving situation, as well as cooling and massage functions. The seat adjustment instructions alone take up 13 pages in the owner's manual. The best thing about these seats, however, is that Mercedes has ditched the wobbly and squeaky belt feeders that were used in some coupes without B-pillars.

E-Class face

With their CL 500, the people of Stuttgart have managed to create an extremely beautiful coupe. Especially the side view of the elongated line of the five-meter "ship" with its arched roof and characteristic panoramic rear window reveals its responsive freshness and dynamics. Only the four-eyed face in the style of the 1995 E-Class W, introduced back in 210, with too wide joints around the bonnet, slightly obscures the exclusivity of the big Mercedes coupe.

Its tradition of being the top model of all passenger cars with a star and a pioneer of new technologies goes back to the 300 Adenauer 1955 Sc coupe, which now costs up to half a million euros. Once the best Mercedes of all time, our iconic CL 500 is now available for under € 10. Hasn't the electronically controlled supertechnology of the CL Coupé become a curse almost 000 years later? Does the buyer take unforeseen risks if he wants his car to move properly in the future and everything works perfectly, as on the day of the first purchase? And what else, wouldn't it be better with a simpler Jaguar XK20 without all these electronic devices?

Indeed, the Jaguar model cannot be compared to the technical achievements of the CL 500. The luxurious equipment of the XK8 is more or less on par with the current Golf GTI. Its owner will have to abandon the idea of ​​an active chassis, automatic adjustment of the distance to the front of the car or seats with cooling and massage functions.

In turn, Jaguar can earn points by installing a modern V8 engine with a rounded nose. The engine block and cylinder heads are made of light alloys, as in the Mercedes unit. However, the Jaguar V8 engine has two overhead camshafts for each cylinder bank, while the Mercedes V8 engine has only one. In addition, Jaguar has four valves per cylinder, while Mercedes has only three. Despite the smaller engine displacement of one liter, the difference in power between the Jaguar and the Mercedes is only 22 hp. And since the Briton weighs 175 kg less on the scales, this should lead to approximately identical dynamic characteristics. In both cars, the transmission is carried out by a five-speed automatic.

Feeling GT in Jaguar

But now we want to finally get behind the wheel and find out how a high-tech Mercedes differs from a fairly ordinary Jaguar. They start when climbing a narrow and only 1,3 meters high Briton. The rule here is to bow your head and make a precise sports landing in a deep seat. After closing the door behind the wheel, you get the feel of a real GT, almost like in the newer Porsche 911. The typical J-channel automatic transmission lever and the huge, wood-lined instrument panel, which is dug into round instruments and air vents, bring to the interior of a sports car Jaguar authentic British flair. However, the mirrored fine wood veneer does not have the thickness and solidity of the dashboard of a classic Mk IX sedan.

Looks like a Mustang

However, with the turn of the ignition key, all Jaguar tradition ends. The discreetly humming V8 looks more like a Ford Mustang. And this is not surprising, because from 1989 to 2008, Jaguar was part of the American Ford empire, which took a significant part in the development of the XK1996 for 8 years. The overhead camshaft V8 engine, dubbed the AJ-8, replaced Jaguar in 1997 with both the modern 24-valve six-cylinder engine and the classic V12.

When driving, the XK8 shows the best qualities of an American car - the V8 engine gladly takes the gas. Thanks to the direct and vigilant action of the ZF automatic transmission, every command from the foot on the right pedal translates into nimble acceleration. Combined with powerful brakes, the XK8 moves almost as nimbly and effortlessly as its trademark promises. Fairly soft chassis settings with a slight tendency to wobble after a hard stop or long waves on asphalt are probably the result of our model's considerable mileage, which shows 190 km on the meter.

We change to a Mercedes coupe. This action, unlike the case with the Jaguar, as in the limousine, does not require yoga skills. The CL Coupé is ten centimeters taller and the doorways are wider up to the roof. In addition, thanks to the original kinematics, when opening the doors move forward by about ten centimeters. A design feature that only the C 215 coupé with long doors can boast. Through them, it becomes much easier to get into the spacious rear, where two adults can sit.

However, we're behind the wheel, which, almost like a Jaguar, is trimmed with a mixture of wood and leather and has various buttons for the on-board computer and audio system. The steering wheel, seat and side mirrors in both bowls are of course electrically adjustable, four Mercedes devices of the maximum semi-circular shape are located under the common roof plane, their scales consist of LED lights. The fully tiled center console attempts to inject - despite the mini-screen, phone keypad and three small joystick switches for the radio and two air conditioning zones - some luxury and coziness that is far better achieved in the Jaguar.

There is a lot of space in a Mercedes

Instead, in a slightly wider and brighter Mercedes, you can enjoy a greater sense of space than a Jaguar model. After turning the V8 ignition key, the Mercedes engine announces with a short sound that it is ready to drive. The understated, almost service CL Coupé hides the slightly bubbling idle noise we hear in the XK8. Careful starting causes only a slight bee hum in the engine compartment at the front.

In other areas, Mercedes technology works extremely inconspicuously. After all, the goal is for the CL driver to experience as few unpleasant aspects of traffic on the streets and roads as possible. These include the corners that this Mercedes tackles with sensational calm thanks to the active ABC suspension.

We notice this when driving for general photos along a wide roundabout. While the Jaguar is already a bit backward, now allowing its predecessor, the XJS, to be seen, Mercedes, as they like to say, spun circles with a fixed body.

Unfortunately, the CL 500 delivers peace of mind where it's not needed - when accelerating. At least at lower speeds, the XK8, which gleefully rushes forward when needed, feels more nimble than the sophisticated Daimler. Spontaneous throttle commands seem to surprise the V8 engine and, basically, the five-speed automatic transmission, which only shifts down a gear or two after a moment's thought. Then, however, Daimler accelerated wildly with a restrained growl of the V8.

In automotive and sports tests, Mercedes won sprint races with an E-Class-like nose. From 0 to 100 km / h, he was ahead of the Jaguar (6,7 seconds) by 0,4 seconds, and up to 200 km / h - even by 5,3 seconds. That's why the CL 500 didn't need massage seats, cruise control, or ABC suspension.

Goes well without additional services

The reverse is also true – in the nimble Jaguar we have not regretted the absence of any highly prized Mercedes gadgets. In that sense, a more stylishly furnished Brit might be a smarter purchase from today's point of view, because its more modest appliances leave less room for wear and tear damage.

Once the best Mercedes of all time, today it has to worry about a breakdown in its rather sensitive equipment. At the very least, the extremely low prices for more worn-out specimens allow such an assumption. However, thanks to its superior looks and a prominent place in the Mercedes range, this CL (C 215) also has a robust future as a classic.

Conclusion

Editor Franc-Peter Hudek: Two impressive luxury coupes at today's Renault Twingo price sound very tempting. And no problem with rusty bodies. You just drive and enjoy - if any of the possible electronic malfunctions do not spoil your mood.

Text: Frank-Peter Hudek

Photo: Arturo Rivas

technical details

Jaguar XK8 (X100)	Mercedes CL 500 (C 215)
Working volume	3996 cc	4966 cc
Power	284 hp (209 kW) @ 6100 rpm	306 hp (225 kW) @ 5600 rpm
Maximum torque	375 Nm at 4250 rpm	460 Nm at 2700 rpm
Acceleration 0-100 km / h	6,3 with	6,3 with
Braking distances at a speed of 100 km / h	no data	no data
full speed	250 km / h	250 km / h
Average consumption fuel in the test	14,2 l / 100 km	14,3 l / 100 km
Base Price	112 509 marks (1996), from 12 euros (today)	Mark 178 (292), from € 1999 (today)