Mercedes-Benz introduced the CL-Class for the 1997 model year. These cars were coupe versions of the W140 S-Class, renamed starting in 1996. These luxurious grand tourers offered performance and refinement regardless of final specification. Over the course of production, the CL saw three distinct generations: the C140 (1997-1999), the C215 (2000-2006), and the C216 (2007-2014). Mercedes discontinued use of the CL name, returning to S Coupe designation in 2015.