Updated Mercedes CLS at Home on Tech, Design Edge

TURIN – The stylish 4-door CLS coupe from Mercedes-Benz celebrates its 10th anniversary refreshed and with innovative LED headlamps.

Mercedes was the first to market the 4-door coupe in the fullsize segment back in 2004, and its second generation, designed under the leadership of Gorden Wagener, was unveiled at the 2010 Paris auto show. Two years later the range was expanded with the raked CLS Shooting Brake.

The updated models feature a honed front section and upgraded interior blending contemporary luxury with a strong sport character, aiming at rivals Audi for detailing and BMW for sportiness.

In the lighting-technology race Mercedes is rushing to stay ahead of the competition and, in the CLS, introduces groundbreaking technical innovation with its Multibeam LED headlamps. The automaker calls this a futuristic advancement that opens up new dimensions in lighting systems with high-performance, precision LED modules that automatically provide the best possible illumination, whatever the road and traffic conditions.

Both models now come standard with newly designed all-LED headlamps, while the Multibeam LED headlamps are optional.

The dynamic overall design of the latest-generation CLS Coupe and CLS Shooting Brake draws not only on the new headlamps but also on an expressive new diamond radiator grille, striking front bumper with large air intakes and new, slightly darkened taillights with multi-level function.

Inside the most notable improvement is the free-standing color display in the head unit with its 8-in. (20.3-cm) screen that helps define the dashboard's contemporary looks. Other features include a redesigned 3-spoke sport steering wheel, refined detailing and a redesigned center console.

Mercedes further improves its powertrain range with its cutting-edge 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic transmission, new, powerful engines, intelligently networked driver assistance and safety systems as well as a progressive multimedia system with Internet. The AMG variants CLS 63 AMG Coupe and Shooting Brake deliver up to 585 hp.

Mercedes has updated five engines for its new generation of the CLS-Class to meet Euro 6 emissions standards. New to this class is the highly fuel-efficient 170-hp BlueTEC 4-cyl. diesel in the CLS 220 featuring fourth-generation common-rail direct injection, 2-stage turbocharging and maximum torque of 295 lb.-ft. (400 Nm).

The CLS 250’s BlueTEC 4-cyl. diesel makes 204 hp and 369 lb.-ft. (500 Nm) torque, while the CLS 350’s BlueTEC V-6 diesel turns out 258 hp and 457 lb.-ft. (620 Nm) of torque. The 3.5L V-6 twin-turbo gasoline engine in the CLS 400 is rated at 333 hp and 354 lb.-ft. (480 Nm) of torque), compared with 273 lb.-ft. (370 Nm) from its naturally aspirated predecessor.

For the most power short of the AMG range, Mercedes offers the CLS 500 capable of 408 hp and up to 443 lb.-ft. (600 Nm) of torque.