New Mercedes-Benz CLS: A few salient highlights

Here's a look at what you can expect from the upcoming Mercedes-Benz CLS which is just a few days away from its launch in India. 

With the four-door coupe now in its third-generation, the new Mercedes-Benz CLS is all set to make its India debut on 16th November 2018. With an all-new design language and body styling, the CLS is once again ready to attack the niche segment of four-door coupes and will compete directly with the likes of the Audi A5 and the BMW 6-GT. Interestingly, despite the fact that the CLS has not been a volume-driver for Mercedes-Benz in India, the German marque has introduced all three generations of the car here as it does appeal quite a lot to niche buyers who wish to break the regular sedan barrier and opt for something sportier. In the model line-up, the CLS will sit between the E-Class and the S-Class.  

Powertrain

Expect Mercedes-Benz to offer the new CLS with the '300d' badge which would mean that the car will come fitted with the brand's tested 2-litre four-cylinder motor which already powers the E-Class and the facelifted C-Class. The BS-VI compliant motor produces 241bhp and 500Nm of torque and is mated to a new 9-speed automatic gearbox which sends the power to the rear wheels. However, there is no clear image of a petrol offering yet. While the earlier generations of the CLS also featured a CLS63 AMG version, the third-generation is expected to offer a CLS53 AMG version, with a six-cylinder motor working in a hybrid setup. 

Features and equipment

While the CLS borrows its underpinnings from the E-Class, on the inside, however, the CLS derives a few of its features from the S-Class. The overall cockpit design will be a spruced up version of the E-Class. The dashboard consists of Mercedes’ 'Widescreen Cockpit' with two 12.3-inch displays for the instrument cluster and infotainment system. The steering wheel, with its multi-function layout, seems to be borrowed from the S-Class. The CLS is also expected to feature the brand's new MBUX user interface system.

Exterior design and dimensions

Keeping in line with the styling of the current-generation lineup, the third-gen CLS features a slanting front section highlighted by a wide, single chrome slat front grille carrying the three-pointed star. The two-section tail lamps help in giving the rear section a sharper look. In terms of dimensions, the new CLS is longer, wider and taller than its predecessor. It measures 4,940mm in length, 1,880mm in width and 1,420mm in height. The wheelbase is a remarkable 61mm longer than the outgoing model.

Expected price

The new, third-gen CLS is expected to bear an ex-showroom price tag of ₹75-80 lakh since it will sit between the E-Class and the S-Class.