The new Mercedes-Benz CLS, is the follow up model to the original that broke convention. Merc’s CLS combines the silhouette of a sleek coupe with the practicality of a four door sedan. This new car retains the original’s recipe but forgoes the older sloped-style front end for a contemporary one with elongated teardrop shaped headlights and a large gaping front grille.
At the back, it’s design is similar to that seen on several of the automaker’s sports series models, which is fitting, considering who the car is aimed at enticing. Underpinning the aggressive body, are four-link front suspension and a five-link rear one. Buyers can also opt for the Air Body Control air suspension that offers improved, adjustable and adaptive damping.
For now, the new CLS will only offered with a choice of petrol and diesel V6 engines. Output of the diesel engine ranges from 286bhp and 600Nm of torque to 340bhp and 700Nm of torque. It benefits from CAMTRONIC variable valve-lift control and two-stage turbocharging. The petrol one, coupled with the electric motor develops 367bhp and 500Nm of torque.
Merc has taken the best tech of the S-Class and crammed it into the interior of this CLS. It has a fully digital display system that can be configured to suit different needs, a 64-colour ambient lighting system that changes colour when the climate control system is adjusted. Adding to that, the car is able to alter interior fragrance, lighting and temperature to suit different moods.
Available as standard are the usual range of driving assistance and safety systems that include the Active Brake Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, ATTENTION ASSIST, Speed Limit Assist and the occupant protection system PRE-SAFE®. Strangely enough, Pre-SAFE sound builds upon the others, by preparing ones’ hearing when it senses an impending collision.
If that isn’t enough, you can opt for the optional Driving Assistance Plus Package. It consists of Active Distance Control DISTRONIC, Active Steering Assist, Active Speed Limit Assist, Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function, Evasive Steering Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist and PRE‑SAFE® PLUS. Active Distance Control DISTRONIC and Active Steering Assist.
Apart from this, the regular bells and whistles that include headlight beam adjustment and fuel efficient systems come as standard with the car. As of now, there only three variants that are available, which are the CLS 350d 4MATIC, CLS 400 4MATIC and CLS 450 4MATIC. We expect to see a number of other variants being added to the range in the near future.
