The CL 65 AMG was the most powerful model of the CL and the most expensive Mercedes-branded vehicle, slightly edging out its S-Class equivalent S65 AMG and the SLS. CL sales are the third-lowest of Mercedes-Benz in North America with under 1400 units sold in 2006, as only the G-Class four-wheel drive and two-seat SLS AMG sell smaller numbers; annual CL sales equalled Ford truck sales for one day. However, this degree of distinction was considered attractive to CL buyers.[3][4]
Main competitors of the CL-Class in 2+2 grand tourer segment included the Aston Martin DBS, Rolls-Royce Drophead, Bentley Continental GT, BMW M6, and the Ferrari 612. The CL-Class had more rear legroom than these aforementioned competitors.
In 2014 Mercedes officially ceased using the CL-Class designation, instead of moving the segments’ vehicle naming back to the S-ClassCoupe/Convertible label. Similar to how it did previously with the CLK-Class which was moved back to being called E-Class Coupe/Convertible, thus it was replaced by the C217 S-Class Coupé.