Why it matters

It may be a niche, but all of the key players are determined to succeed in the powerful coupe market. Some of the more interesting entries include the BMW 6 Series, the redesigned Jaguar XK, not to mention familiar models from the likes of Aston Martin and Bentley. If you live in Southern California or a number of other large metropolitan areas, the number of Bentley Continental GTs gives you an idea of the demand for these stand-alone vehicles.

With the introduction of the CL-Class, Mercedes-Benz sends a reminder of its presence in the field, one the company has been a part of for more than 50 years, offering a coupe carrying the same svelte, sexy lines of the CLS sedan, and powered by powertrains pumping out between 388 and 517 horsepower. And don’t forget the CL 600’s 612 lb.-ft. of torque. That, coupled with the luxury and technology one would expect from a Mercedes-Benz product, makes the CL-Class compelling.