I must admit that I had my doubts about the Mercedes CLS Class.

That is until I was right in front of it. Now I must admit that it really is a head turner.

Two variants are available: the 5.5 liter, V8, 382 horsepower CLS 550 and the 6.2 liter 507 hp CLS 63AMG.

Both come equipped with the seven speed automatic transmissions with Sportronic Manual Shift capability.

Optional for the CLS 550 are paddle shifters while in the CLS 63AMG it’s standard equipment.

For 2009, both trims get reshaped LED taillights, an updated twin bar grille, trapezoidal shaped exhaust tips, restyled wheels, larger heated mirrors with integrated turn signals, a revised command interface and a sportier steering wheel with the CLS 63AMG getting a flat bottom.

On the outside, it really is eye catching and really worth a double take, very few will come close.

The styling, materials and overall finish is first rate; all the panels are securely fit and the leather extremely soft.

The wooden appointments appear to be more like polished furniture than part of a car interior.

The attention to detail was above and beyond.

We were given a CLS 550 painted in Metallic Barolo Red, Black Leather interior and Laurel Wood Trim to play with.

She also came equipped with three packages- the 318 Trim, Sport and the Premium package.

Also installed were the optional Distronic Proximity Control and Parktronic system.

You can get more details from one of the Houston Mercedes Dealers.

Imagine this: It’s a dark late rainy night and you’re in the baddest part of town. A couple of guys block your way and demand you get out and handover your wallet, phone and keys to your car.

What do you do? Flip them the bird.

Providing that you’re in your Mercedes E Guard that is.

For those that just got their Mercedes S 600 Guard and think B7 armor rating is a tad too much especially if you’re just going to the 711 in Beverly Hills, then the Mercedes E Guard is just right for you.

The E Guard was created specifically for the wealthy businessman and/or famous people whose primary threats are muggers and overzealous fans and paparazzi.

The S 600 Guard’s clientele on the other hand are mostly heads of state, diplomats, royalty and the occasional drug lord if I may add.

With the exception of the drug lord, these individuals do actually face the risk from acts of terrorism each time they are in public hence the higher protection requirements.

You can think of the E Guard as the baby brother of the S Guard.

Born in the same production line as its non-armored sibling in order to ensure overall quality standards, the vehicle is then pulled out so it may receive the protective elements which are all installed by hand.

Integrated protection is what Mercedes calls it. “The protective measures integrated into the E-Class E-Guard offer exceptional levels of protection in extreme situations and against threats from the outside.

Integrated protection means that the safety features are built up from the inside out.

In order to incorporate all the precautions necessary to meet your personal safety requirements, our specialists start with the body shell.

The result is a vehicle that provides you with the best possible protection, without the exterior differing in any way from the “standard production model.”

The bad news is that you probably won’t find one of these on the showroom floor of your Houston Mercedes Dealership.