2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS UK

The new CLS embodies Mercedes-Benz’s new design idiom, which is characterized by clean contours and restrained lines. Its most notable features include a grille contour that widens towards the base, a forward-slanting front section, wide, low-set headlamps, and two-section taillights. This new model reflects the timeless aura of the first CLS, which founded a new segment and quickly became a design icon. All CLS models are equipped with a new in-line six-cylinder engine. Like its predecessors, the new CLS exudes self-assured sportiness in exemplary style: a highly emotive vehicle offering impressive long-distance and acoustic comfort coupled with thrilling, unrivalled technology. The four-door coupe will enter the Canadian market in summer 2018.

In 2003, Mercedes-Benz created the CLS: a new vehicle segment that, for the first time, combined the elegance and dynamism of a coupe with the comfort and functionality of a sedan. With its arching midsection, flat side window lines, and low greenhouse, the third generation of the CLS sees Mercedes-Benz building more strongly than ever on the aura and unique character of this trendsetting mode. At the same time, it is another example of the logical evolution of the Sensual Purity design idiom, with significantly reduced sharp edges and lines. Numerous design features allow the CLS to blend seamlessly into the current Mercedes-Benz Coupe family, while its cd value of 0.26 is proof of its outstanding aerodynamics.

The sporty CLS also has a comfortable side, which is accentuated by AIR BODY CONTROL suspension, ENERGIZING comfort control and the latest infotainment generation with smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, MB Link and wireless charging. When operating the vehicle’s numerous convenience functions and settings, the touchpad in the centre console gives haptic and acoustic feedback.

The standard appointments of the CLS are, as usual, extensive. Highlights include LED High Performance headlamps, 19‑inch light-alloy wheels AMG Styling, a 12.3‑inch media display and new ambient lighting which includes illuminated air vents.

Exterior: Self-assured sportiness in the style of Mercedes-Benz coupes

“As the archetype of the four-door coupe, the new CLS is a design icon. In line with our hot and cool design philosophy, we have reduced its DNA to an extremely pure level while charging it emotionally with evocative beauty,” says Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer Daimler AG.

Striking front-end features include the single-louvre diamond grille that is typical of Mercedes-Benz coupes. The radiator grille’s silhouette widens towards the base, a design feature that resembles the contours of the grille on the Mercedes-AMG GT. The hood is completely surrounded, and flat, wide headlamps with inward-slanting flanks follow the contour of the grille.

The side design is characterised by a high, arching midsection and a sporty, low greenhouse with frameless side windows. The forward-slanting front end is reminiscent of a shark’s nose, and appears longer thanks to the fully-inset bonnet. The vehicle’s contours follow the design philosophy of sensual purity: its lines and edges are greatly reduced, and its surfaces are generously arched.

Also typical of the CLS is a muscular rear shoulder line which blends smoothly into a flat rear end. Characteristic coupe features include the two-section taillights, rear bumper reflectors, the location of the registration plate on the bumper, and the Mercedes star at the centre of the trunk lid. Depending on specification, the Mercedes star houses an extendable camera.

As with the headlamps, LED taillights with edgelight backlighting have a crystalline appearance and create a three-dimensional effect. Their low positioning accentuates the width of the vehicle.

Consistent interior colour scheme, widescreen cockpit

The luxurious interior of the CLS Coupe impresses with its clear lines, and echoes the sensual, flowing contours of the car’s exterior. High-grade materials lend the vehicle a refined finish.

The sporty cockpit and colour combination together create an impression of particularly generous spaciousness. An overall impression of flowing design is created by the wave-like pattern of the interior, which extends from the front to the rear doors, opening up at the B‑pillars. A new highlight of the ambient lighting, illuminated air vents are reminiscent of jet aircraft turbines. A sporty impression is also reinforced by the hand-finished appearance of the seats. An optional high-resolution widescreen cockpit is available, which features two 12.3‑inch displays arranged beneath a shared, continuous glass cover. The open-pored or high-gloss wood centre console appears to be free-floating, thanks to its surface trim.

In the fully-digital cockpit, the driver is able to freely-configure the information content according to need and driving conditions. Three different styles can be selected depending on preference, mood, or interior styling. The Classic and Sport styles have a basic structure with two tubes, while the Progressive style surprises with a central, tube-shaped instrument structure.

The ambient lighting is individually adjustable in 64 colours, and also illuminates the air vents. When the temperature setting of the air conditioning system is changed, it briefly changes colour to show whether the temperature is being made warmer (red) or cooler (blue).

The seats were designed exclusively for this model series. Depending on the interior, they feature high-quality piping or transverse seams. The rear outer seats match the front seats, creating a sporty single-seat impression, though for the first time the CLS Coupe is in fact a five-seater. When required, the backrests can be folded down in a 40/20/40 ratio, expanding the generous 520‑litre luggage compartment.

ENERGIZING comfort control: Wellness on long-distance journeys

The optional ENERGIZING comfort control links various comfort systems in the vehicle. It systematically uses the functions of the climate control system (including fragrancing) and the seats (heater, ventilation, and massage), the surface and steering wheel heating, as well as lighting and musical atmospheres to create a specific wellness set-up that is tailored to the mood and need of the customer. As a result, well-being and performance levels are enhanced.

These six programmes can be selected:

• Freshness
• Warmth
• Vitality
• Joy
• Comfort
• Training (three training modes – muscle relaxation, muscle activation, and balance – each with several exercises).

Intelligent Drive: Technology from the S-Class

The new CLS generation has many things in common with the new S‑Class, the automotive flagship of the entire industry: the CLS is equipped with the latest generation of driving assistance systems, with route-based driver support provided by the Driving Assistance Package.

A range of driving assistance and safety systems features a modular design and includes Active Brake Assist, ATTENTION ASSIST, and the occupant protection system PRE-SAFE^® as standard. PRE-SAFE^® Sound now also comes as standard. This feature prepares human hearing for anticipated accident noise when there is a risk of a collision.

The optional Driving Assistance Package consists of Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, Active Steering 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 Assist DISTRONIC and Active Steering Assist now provide even more comfortable support for the driver to keep a safe distance and steer. The speed is now adjusted automatically ahead of bends or junctions. Active Lane Change Assist has also been significantly improved (country-specific differences are possible for individual functions). In addition, the Driving Assistance Plus package includes PRE-SAFE^® Impulse Side. This system can prepare the front occupants for a side impact by giving them a sideways impulse, reducing the risk of injury.

Thanks to improved camera and radar systems, the new CLS also has an even better view of the surrounding traffic. For the first time, it also makes use of map and navigation data to calculate driving behaviour.

At a glance, the “Assistance Graphics” menu of the instrument cluster shows the driver which assistance functions have been selected, and to which situations the systems are currently responding. Unmistakable icons provide the driver with information on-screen as well as in the head-up display. All functions can now be controlled from the steering wheel.

In stop and go traffic on motorways and similar roads, stops of up to 30 seconds are now possible, during which time the CLS starts moving again automatically and follows the traffic (in conjunction with Active Parking Assist).

The ULTRA RANGE high beam of the MULTIBEAM LED headlamps produces the maximum light intensity permitted by law, which results in the brightness of the main beam headlamps remaining above the reference value of 1 lux over a distance of more than 650 metres.

Suspension: A choice of two variants

The new CLS has a four-link front suspension and a five-link rear suspension. The standard DYNAMIC BODY CONTROL suspension has a sporty basic setup and includes continuously adjustable damping at the front and rear axle. The selectable driving modes are Comfort, Sport and Sport+. The optional AIR BODY CONTROL air suspension has an improved, adjustable and adaptive damping system. The driver is able to choose vehicle characteristics from comfortable to sporty using the driving mode switch.

New engine: EQ Boost and 48-volt onboard electrical system

The third generation of the Mercedes-Benz CLS is powered by a completely new in-line six-cylinder engine. The new, systematically electrified in-line six-cylinder with EQ Boost (integrated starter/generator) and a 48 volt onboard electrical system powers the CLS 450 4MATIC. Its performance data: 270 kW/362 hp and 369 lb-ft plus a further 184 lb-ft of torque and 16 kW/22 hp available via EQ Boost over short periods. The integrated electric motor, known as EQ Boost, assists the combustion engine (e.g. when accelerating), makes driving without the combustion engine possible (“sailing”) and supplies the battery with power by means of high-efficiency recuperation. By doing so, it makes possible fuel savings that were previously the exclusive domain of high-voltage hybrid technology. All in all, the new in-line six-cylinder engine delivers the performance of an eight-cylinder engine with significantly lower consumption. The CLS 450 4MATIC is equipped with a particulate filter as standard.

The new CLS

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