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When the numbers on the window sticker take up that much space, you’d think the buyer would want a couple extra doors.

So when the 2007 Mercedes-Benz CL550 arrived for testing, a few moments were spent scratching the head over having to grapple with a seat just to get someone in back.

But this is a machine in which more time is spent counting horsepower than doors.

Mercedes has redone the CL-Class for 2007. There’s the CL550 with a 5.5-liter, 382-horsepower V-8 and the CL600 with a 5.5-liter, 510-h.p., twin-turbo V-12.

This summer the CL63 arrives with a 6.3-liter, 518-h.p. V-8, and this fall it’s the CL65 with a 6-liter, 604-h.p., twin-turbo V-12.

That’s a lot of power in one family.

Mercedes spokesman Rob Moran said those who purchase a CL-Class coupe have sound minds as well as sound wallets and “are among some of the wealthiest high-end customers we have, more males than females, and lots of professionals and athletes, people who don’t always carry four people in the car.”

Can’t complain about the power in a CL550; the 5.5-liter gives it fleet feet with excellent off-the-line acceleration.

The 15 m.p.g. city/22 m.p.g. highway rating doesn’t look as sinister with gas prices headed south. And those who have $100,000 to spend on a car probably aren’t going to sweat it when prices head north again.

But the 15/22 rating makes one extra item standard — the $1,300 federal gas-guzzler tax. And you thought that was on only Hummers?

At the same time, ride is silky smooth and handling is pinpoint precise in keeping with the image. The body sits flat in corners so you can accelerate out of them. Very agile performer.

As an added benefit, electronic stability control with traction control and four-wheel anti-lock brakes are standard. It came into play a couple times when traveling desolate stretches of narrow, winding roads and snow-caked pavement would appear without warning. The CL held its ground without acting as if the radials were skates. Lots of confidence and security.

All CLs come with Active Body Control, a suspension designed to reduce body roll in corners, rear-end squat when accelerating hard and front-end dive in heavy braking.

The test car added keyless ignition as part of a $5,650 premium package. Keep the key fob on you or in the car and push the button in the instrument panel to start or stop the engine.

Of course, it means having to select a place to put the fob while you drive and remembering to remove it when you exit. A regular ignition key would be just as simple, but for $100,000 plus, you need something to call attention to the machine, don’t you think?

Slip into the cabin and the front seats are well cushioned and finished in perforated leather to better hold you in place in high-speed maneuvering.

To haul other bodies in this two-door, simply flip the lever on the top of the seats and they power forward to create a generous aisle to enter the back.

But the generosity ends there. . You feel a little shortchanged in back when it comes to the seat bottom, not to mention leg and knee room.

To reduce complaints, front seat backs have large indents on both sides of center — just where the rear-seat occupant needs the room to stretch the knees. But the height of front-seat occupants and how far back they slip their seats dictate just how much those indents will help.

A slip-open stowage area rests between the rear seats. A little more cushion and little less stowage would be appreciated.

The trunk is deep, but not very tall. Enough room for luggage, actually probably more than enough because this coupe isn’t going to cart four folks to the airport regularly anyway.

The trunk floor lifts to expose a series of storage trays. Without those trays, the trunk would stand taller, but have to say the secret storage is more enticing than being able to transport a fern upright.

The $5,650 Premium package also adds ventilated front seats with fans that circulate air to keep the buns cool all summer. Heated seats are standard for winter.

Rather than with a series of buttons or levers, you control lumbar support by using the screen in the dash. The screen also activates the seat massager.

The seating system is so sophisticated, it inflates the side bolsters on its own to hold you in place if you take a corner at speed. Nice touch.

And that automatic feature looks all the nicer when compared to calling up directions on the screen to change lumbar support or to message the stiff back. Wading through the directions isn’t as simple as pressing buttons.

Other noteworthy features include mini storage bins in the front-door armrests — and by mini we mean they hold maybe a couple pens — power-operated rear-window sunscreen and power-operated rear-seat headrests.

The test car also offered Distronic Plus for $2,850. The system sends an audible and visual alert to the driver when he or she gets too close to the vehicle ahead when cruise control is activated.

If the driver doesn’t respond by braking and an impact is imminent, the system will apply the brakes at 40 percent of force to slow the car. Mercedes said it won’t use 100 percent force because that would take braking out of the control of the driver.

Distronic Plus also works at low speeds when the cruise control system is off to send audible and visual warnings and apply the brakes at 40 percent force if an impact is imminent. But with cruise off, it detects only when the car ahead suddenly slows, not if it is stopped or you are going too fast.

“It’s meant to warn you to pay attention when the cruise control is off,” Moran said.

There’s also a PreSafe system that’s standard as part of the electronic stability control. If sensors detect that an impact is imminent, it will move front seats to upright positions, if they had been reclined, to take the most advantage of the air bags. It also tightens seat belts, rolls up all windows and closes the sunroof to provide more support for the side-curtain air bags when they inflate.

The CL550 starts at $99,900 with all the power goodies. With the options, freight and guzzler levy, the test car topped $110,000.

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2007 Mercedes-Benz CL550

Price as tested: $108,850*

THE STICKER

$99,900 Base

$5,650 Rearview monitor in navi screen when backing up, ventilated front seats and keyless ignition

$2,850 Distronic Plus accident avoidance system

$450 Heated steering wheel

*Add $775 for freight and $1,300 for gas-guzzler tax.

THE NUMBERS

Wheelbase: 116.3 inches

Length: 200.2 inches

Engine: 5.5-liter, 382-h.p. V-8

Transmission: 7-speed automatic

Fuel economy: 15 m.p.g. city/22 m.p.g. highway

PLUSES

Lots of power

Smooth ride and precise handling.

A wealth of amenities.

MINUSES

$99,900 for starters and you get tiny outside mirrors?

Fuel economy that carries the guzzler tax.