Air-ride suspensions are making waves in the aftermarket scene, but what’s it like driving one?
Before the S-Class coupe, the CL was Mercedes’ uber-luxury grand tourer, and although some of its tech might be outdated by today’s standards, the model actually aged very well (especially the C214 second-gen variant) thanks to its simple design and elegant approach.
Unlike the S-Class, on which was based, the CL was only available with either a V8 or a V12 under the hood. Even so, Mercedes reckoned there was room for improvement and also offered AMG variants, which nowadays aren’t that cheap to own and maintain – partly thanks to their active suspension that goes wrong every now and then.
Fortunately, this happy CL55 AMG owner found a way to bypass the problem by retrofitting a bespoke AcuAir airbag suspension system. The rig might not be suited for high-performance sports cars, but it fits the humongous Mercedes like a glove, modifying its dynamic properties on the go.
Matt Farah experienced the car first hand in his latest video, demonstrating how a good air suspension unit can transform a car from a mellow, comfortable cruiser into a firmer machine.