Anybody who questions why Mercedes-Benz make a mid-sized, four-seat, two door coupe like the CLK will doubly wonder in the CL.

This behemoth (that is rarely observed in anything other than its 5.0 litre form) is just marginally shorter compared to S-Class, but despite its bulk seems to provide a considerable level of entertaining driving because of its owners.

Part of the benefit of this model is its exclusivity – the sales must surely push it to the ‘loss leader’ section of DaimlerChrysler’s annual accounts – but equally valid is performance that belies the considerable footprint it leaves about the tarmac.

Being an indicator of how quickly and how precise this car is, Formula One fans may have noticed that the vehicle is chosen as pace car for Grand Prix racing; few four seaters could match its abilities about the bends.