The third-generation Mercedes-Benz CLS is priced from £57,510 for the entry-level 350d, which was recently revealed at the Los Angeles motor show.
Until BMW launches a replacement for the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé, the only real rival to the CLS is the Audi A7, which currently starts at £48,045, ahead of its replacement by a second generation early next year.
Price wise, the CLS range so far tops out with the 400d at £60,410, but the most powerful unit at launch is the 3.0-litre petrol engine in the 450 4Matic, with a 48V electric system and EQ Boost integrated starter motor providing mild hybrid properties. It has a claimed 0-62mph time of 4.8sec and limited 155mph top speed. It delivers a nominal 362bhp and 369lb ft, with an additional 22bhp and 184lb ft available for short periods when the integrated starter motor is triggered.
Mercedes-AMG CLS53 and E53 hybrids revealed
The range uses petrol and diesel in-line six-cylinder engines. All are turbocharged and mated to Mercedes’ in-house nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic gearbox and with 4Matic four-wheel-drive system as standard. The 350d and 400d share the new 2.9-litre diesel engine in two states of tune.
For the 350d, 400d and 450, Mercedes claims respective fuel economy figures of 48.7mpg, 47.9mpg and 36.2mpg, with CO2 emissions of 156g/km, 156g/km and 184g/km respectively. The CLS is only available in AMG Line trim – this means 19in alloys, a parking pack with reversing camera, ambient lighting and Mercedes' Agility Control adaptive dampers all come as standard.
Shortly after launch, Mercedes plans to introduce the 350. It runs a new turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine also featuring electronic boosting qualities. Also planned is the 300d, which employs Mercedes’ widely used turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine tuned to deliver 242bhp.
A new CLS 53 is planned to join the mechanically identical E53 coupé and E53 cabriolet models in a three-strong line-up of new AMG models to be unveiled at next year’s Detroit motor show, all featuring a newly developed in-line six-cylinder engine with mild hybrid properties.
First ride: Mercedes-Benz CLS pre-production car
The new petrol engine will usher in electric boosting via an integrated starter motor for added performance potential and is Mercedes’ answer to the likes of the upcoming second-generation Audi S7 and recently introduced BMW M550i.
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So without imagination
Not my cuppa tea.
The words "tedious" and "insipid" spring to mind.
Mandatory 4WD? So you need to
Mandatory 4WD? So you need to drag even more weight around? This car is less and less appealing.
Not a tree in sight
Sad really because one coukd always rely on MB in this model range to provide some nice ambience with quality veneer which I personally like in the cockpit. Now we have fancy blue lighting like a bloody circus gig. Bye bye Class hello junk