2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS starts from £57,510

Details remain scarce, although insiders suggest the engine and integrated starter motor will deliver a combined 450bhp. In the facelifted S500, the new engine provides a nominal 429bhp, with an additional 22bhp delivered by the integrated starter motor for a total of 440bhp.   

With Mercedes planning to replace the existing CLS 63 with an upcoming twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 production version of the five-door AMG GT Concept, the CLS 53 is set to become the top model in the new CLS line-up. 

Opinion: Why the new CLS shows that creases are dead

With more than 350,000 sales to date, the CLS has proven popular since its introduction in 2005. But with prospective customers gravitating more towards Mercedes’ ever-growing line-up of SUV models, worldwide sales have slowed significantly in recent times.

As such, the new model, which goes under the internal codename C257, will only be produced in saloon form. The CLS Shooting Brake, which has failed to live up to early sales expectations following its introduction in 2012, will not be replaced.

As with its predecessors, the CLS relies heavily on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, from which it borrows its platform, drivelines, chassis, electric architecture and more. It offers three suspension set-ups.

Predictably, Mercedes promises improvements in performance, handling, comfort and safety. At the same time, it says the swoopy saloon also ushers in a new exterior design lineage to be adopted by other Mercedes models in the not-too-distant future.

Mercedes has confirmed to Autocar that the CLS has grown in dimensions compared with the outgoing second-generation model, which has been on sale since 2010. It's grown in length to 4988mm (up from 4937mm for the previous car), in width to 1890mm (from 1881mm) and height to 1428mm (from 1418mm).

The new saloon is also said to feature a wheelbase that's 61mm longer at 2935mm, allowing for larger rear door apertures and easier access to back seats.

The interior of the new CLS is no longer as uniquely styled nor quite as eye-catching as that in previous incarnations of the saloon, which boasted their own bespoke facia. To provide economies of scale with other Mercedes models, it receives a lightly reworked version of the latest E-Class’s dashboard, complete with a so-called Widescreen Cockpit with twin 12.3in displays for the instruments and infotainment system, and a multi-function steering wheel from the facelifted S-Class.

The CLS also gets a centre rear seat as standard, giving the car five-seat capability for the first time. The rear-seat backrests fold in a 40/20/40 configuration to extend the length of the boot, which boasts the same volume as the second-generation model at a nominal 520 litres.

As with the E-Class, the new CLS has five standard driving assistant functions, including lane keeping assist and speed limit assist.

Buyers can also opt for a Driving Assistance Package that adds a further eight systems that provide semi-autonomous properties, including hands-off steering for up to 30 seconds, automatic adjustment of speed before bends or junctions and an automatic lane change function. 

First deliveries of the new CLS are expected to commence for UK buyers in August.