Mercedes-Benz CL-Class – Preview: Retro. It’s a term used liberally throughout the automotive arena these days, used to describe rides like the Chrysler PT Cruiser, the Chevrolet HHR, and the onslaught of modern-day muscle cars such as the Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Challenger, and Ford Mustang. However, this may be the first occasion where the idea of retro has been tied to Mercedes-Benz.

With its thoroughly overhauled and restyled 2007 CL-Class, Mercedes-Benz readies for a battle it has been fighting for more than five decades – to capture the luxury coupe throne. All-new and reinvigorated competition is coming out of the woodwork, wearing badges from BMW, Jaguar, Bentley, and others, and they’re all arriving with the expectation of coming out on top. So, it’s a showdown of large powerful vehicles, and more importantly, they’re coupes – a body style that for years has seen little love in the U.S. market, surviving in small numbers on the fringes. But like the resurgence of muscle cars, models like BMW 6 Series appear to be finding their way back into the hearts and driveways of American buyers.

When it arrives this fall, the 2007 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class will take on the best of the rest in either 388-horsepower CL 500 or 517-horsepower CL 600 guise, with a form that closely resembles that of the CLS-Class and S-Class products. Pricing has yet to be released, though we do know that all of the technology and style one expects from Mercedes, including rich interior materials and features such as Pre-Safe braking and a central COMAND control system with navigation, will be available to eager CL-Class shoppers.

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.