Mercedes-Benz refines the raffish
image of the CLS with new engines, a new gearbox and some high tech new
headlights - deliveries begin in September
You may well look at the current,
218-series CLS and wonder how its styling could be improved. After all, it’s a
pretty handsome car right from the get-go, so there is always the danger that
adding or subtracting elements in an effort to improve it could just end up
spoiling things.
You
may well look at the current, 218-series CLS and wonder how its styling could
be improved.
If you think that leaving things alone
would be the best policy, it seems Mercedes-Benz largely agrees with you - a
new grille, new bumpers and some very clever new LED headlights are the only
exterior changes to the facelifted version, which arrives in the UK this
September.
Inside, there has been a more obvious
change, with the central Comand Online system monitor transforming from a
built-in unit to a free-standing, iPad lookalike, very similar to that seen in
the new C-Class, in fact. The display looks good and gives the already stylish
cabin a lift, but there is always the faint disappointment that you can’t take
it away with you.
Mercedes has kept the bulk of the changes
under the skin, where you’ll find new engines and a new nine-speed 9G-Tronic
automatic gearbox for the UK’s V6 diesel coupe and shooting brake. Despite two
extra ratios, the new unit is lighter than the 7G-Tronic Plus transmission.
Mercedes claims the 9G-Tronic can dramatically improve efficiency by lowering
the engine’s speed when cruising (to as little as 1,350rpm on the motorway),
and it’s good enough to trim 18g/km from the CLS350 Bluetec Coupe’s C02
emissions, which arc now down to 142g/km.
Despite
two extra ratios, the new unit is lighter than the 7G-Tronic Plus transmission.
Mercedes claims the 9G-Tronic can dramatically improve efficiency by lowering
the engine’s speed when cruising (to as little as 1,350rpm on the motorway).
New diesel model
There is also a new, entry level CLS220
Bluetec, with 175bhp and 2951b ft of torque, which effectively replaces the 201
bhp/369lb ft CLS250 CDI (although that model will continue to be offered in
other markets with a ‘Bluetec' badge) and which costs a tempting $77,150 in
coupe form, or $80,000 in slinky shooting brake guise. Perhaps you are a diesel
hater, though. Well, that’s OK because Mercedes has an answer for you too in
the shape of the new CLS400 with a three-litre, V6 biturbo petrol engine, which
returns a quite reasonable 38.7mpg on the combined cycle and costs from $93,000
as a coupe (sadly, a shooting brake model will not be offered in the UK).
More equipment
The bad boy of the UK range is the
staggeringly fast CLS63 AMG S, with 577bhp and 5901b ft of torque, propelling
the coupe from 0-62mph in 4.1 seconds (the shooting brake version takes 4.2
seconds). Loud and naughty, this is the CLS as designed by AC/DC all pomp and
with electrifying performance. The only pity is that right-hand drive markets
still won't get the 4Matic four-wheel drive model, which really adds an extra
dimension of practicality and safety on wet and twisty roads, especially in bad
weather.
The
bad boy of the UK range is the staggeringly fast CLS63 AMG S, with 577bhp and
5901b ft of torque, propelling the coupe from 0-62mph in 4.1 seconds (the
shooting brake version takes 4.2 seconds).
