Mercedes-Benz CLS - more sporty design

In April 2021, the Mercedes-Benz CLS will launch with a clearer design. The dynamics of the four-door coupe are emphasized, in particular, by the front apron with a new grille and bumper. The interior has been enriched with additional combinations of leather and trim elements, as well as a new steering wheel. The driving range has been increased by the latest diesel engine with a starter integrated with the generator. At the forefront of the offering is the strictly limited sports-exclusive Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 4MATIC+ Special Edition.

New Mercedes-Benz CLS

The facelifted CLS is celebrating its world debut in April and the first units will be delivered to European dealers this July. In technical terms, the CLS did not require changes - last summer it underwent a comprehensive upgrade, including upgrades to auxiliary systems, the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) multimedia system and ENERGIZING comfort control.

As a coupe, the CLS, along with roadsters and convertibles, belongs to the Mercedes-Benz dream car category. To date, over 4 million units have been purchased by customers around the world, of which over 450,000 are individual CLS generations. The first one was introduced in 2004. In 2020, China was the largest market for the CLS coupe, followed by South Korea, the US and Germany. Buyers most often indicate design as the reason for purchasing a model.

Now the CLS looks even sportier. The entry-level variant with the AVANTGARDE body line features a new front apron with striking air intakes, two side slats and a front spoiler with silver trim as standard. The rear bumper received a black insert in the form of a diffuser and a chrome trim. Two new designs of 19" alloy wheels are available.

And if the CLS is equipped with AMG body parts, its sportiness becomes even more pronounced. These include the AMG-specific front apron with black A-line, silver-coloured front spoiler, sports air intakes with vertical crossbars and aerodynamically shaped air ducts in high-gloss black. The specification also includes AMG door sill trims and an AMG spoiler lip on the trunk lid. Customers can choose between two new color versions of the 20-inch AMG multi-spoke light alloy wheels (tremolite gray or high-gloss black).

All body models in the AVANTGARDE or AMG ranges get a new Mercedes-Benz design grille (3D star pattern with high-gloss chrome surfaces) and a high-gloss black stripe with chrome insert and Mercedes star. A new paint color has appeared in the body color palette: Spectral Blue.

The interior has also been improved. There are two new finishes to choose from, including the center console: open-pore brown walnut and high-gloss gray wood. Other color combinations have also been introduced to the range of leather upholstery (neva grey/magma gray and sienna brown/black).

As part of the update, the CLS gets an updated nappa leather multifunction steering wheel. Her arms are shiny black with silver chrome edges. The gearshift paddles also have a silver chrome finish. With the optional Driving Assistance Package, the driver is assisted by Active Distance Control DISTRONIC and Active Steering Assist. The steering wheel then uses touch detection - capacitive sensors on the front and back of the rim detect whether your hands are on it or not. The result: No steering wheel movements are now required for the assistance systems to know that the driver is in control of the vehicle. This increases the intuitiveness of control when driving in semi-automatic mode.

Designo allows for even more customization

The 250 Mercedes-Benz designo specialists in Sindelfingen can turn the CLS into a very individual and unique vehicle if required. With the update, the list of available personalization options has been expanded. New are, for example, special paints Jupiter Red, Magno Cashmere White and Emerald Green available for all trim levels. The two-tone designo interior in exclusive nappa leather is available in five new combinations, including red/black, white/black and blue/black.

Sophisticated in many details: the Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 4MATIC+

Mercedes-AMG has updated the sporty top-of-the-line CLS variant with numerous visual highlights and attractive equipment packages. Changes to the 53 4MATIC+ version include a redesigned front apron with an AMG sports bumper with black air vents and visible air curtains, as well as an AMG-specific grille with vertical bars. The windshield frame is finished in polished aluminum or, in conjunction with the Night package, in high-gloss black. Side mirrors are standard painted in body color, but there are some exceptions. Vehicles with the AMG Night package have high-gloss black mirrors, while those with the AMG Exterior II Carbon package have carbon fiber body trim. Mercedes-AMG has also introduced the latest generation steering wheel, retrofitted with display buttons known from other AMG models.

The CLS 53 4MATIC+ combines powerful power – 320 kW (435 hp) – with sporty style and high efficiency. The built-in starter-generator briefly provides an additional 16 kW (22 hp) of power and 250 Nm of torque and powers the on-board electrical system with 48 volts. It connects the starter to the alternator with the electric motor and is mounted between the drive unit and transmission. This, like the intelligent turbocharging with an additional electric compressor (eZV) and a conventional turbocharger, has a specific goal: to provide typical AMG performance and driving dynamics while reducing fuel consumption and emissions. The extremely fast AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G transmission, the fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive and the AMG RIDE CONTROL+ air suspension also provide the necessary dynamics.

Performance for the Individualist: Limited Edition Mercedes-AMG Edition

The plans are to build only 300 copies of the new limited series CLS - Edition. Buyers can choose from two exterior colors: Magno-Cashmere White and Selenite Grey. Above the door sills there are racing stripes in dark gray with a metallic sheen (white paint) or black with a non-metallic finish (grey with paint). Both stripe options have a red accent. Standard in the limited edition are the 20-inch AMG light-alloy wheels in "five-double-spoke" design, painted black and with high-gloss piping, as well as the AMG Night and AMG Night II packages with select elements in high-gloss black. The series specification also includes the AMG DYNAMIC PLUS package (including red brake calipers, DINAMICA microfiber steering wheel, optional RACE driving mode with Drift mode). When the front doors are open, the built-in LED lighting displays the AMG badge on the road next to the car. The interior features two-tone AMG nappa leather upholstery in black/silver, AMG carbon trim, nappa leather and a DINAMICA steering wheel with contrasting red stitching, as well as AMG steering wheel buttons and an AMG badge in the center console.

CLS drive options: powerful and economical motors

In March 2021, the CLS 300 d 4MATIC (combined fuel consumption: 5.5-5.8 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 144-153 g/km) was launched with mild hybrid technology. Its four-cylinder diesel engine (OM 654 M) has a second-generation integrated alternator (ISG) starter motor and a 48-volt electrical system. Maximum power 195 kW (265 hp) plus 15 kW (20 hp) from the generating set. Energy recovery and the ability to “float” when the engine is off make this unit very efficient. Electrification also allows the use of an electric refrigerant compressor in the air conditioning system.

The range also includes petrol versions of the CLS 350 (299 hp), CLS 450 4MATIC (367 hp) and CLS 53 4MATIC+ (435 hp), as well as diesel versions of the CLS 220 d (194 hp). s.) and CLS 400 d (330 hp).

Photo: Mercedes-Benz