Third-generation Mercedes-Benz CLS revealed
The four-door coupe, in its latest iteration, pioneers the new design idiom of Mercedes-Benz - which is recognisable by its clear contours and reduced lines. The most striking design feature up front are the very flat and wide headlamps with inward-slanting flanks.
By Tushaar Singh Gill
The Mercedes-Benz CLS is the more aesthetically appealing alternative to the ever so popular E-Class.
Mercedes-Benz has taken the wraps off the all-new CLS at the ongoing LA Auto Show, 2017.
The four-door coupe, in its latest iteration, pioneers the new design idiom of Mercedes-Benz - which is recognisable by its clear contours and reduced lines. The most striking design feature up front are the very flat and wide headlamps with inward-slanting flanks. Much like the AMG GT, the the front end of the new CLS is forward slanting.
The characteristic coupe silhouette meets the car’s muscular rear shoulder line, which further blends into the flat rear end. The tail lamps feature a new triangular design, a pleasant departure from the rectangular ones seen on most new Merc coupes and SUVs.
Inside, the new CLS, much like all the latest Mercedes-Benz cars - features a very contemporary cockpit that blends sporty and luxurious elements. In fact, the cabin of the car is a refreshed version of that found on the latest E-Class, which isn’t a bad thing. You have those unique turbine-style aircon vents, dual high-resolution 12.3-inch displays, a generous treatment of wood & leather, and 64 colour ambient lighting. As a bonus, the CLS is, for the first time, designed to seat three people at the back.
Powering the new CLS is Merc’s new generation of petrol and diesel engines. The only petrol available at launch is a 3.0-litre, 6-cylinder unit with EQ Boost. The engine churns out 362bhp and 500Nm, and comes paired to a new 48V electric motor that allows for extended coasting at certain speeds. The diesel option includes a 2.9-litre unit in two states of tune.
More engines are set to join the CLS lineup in future, which include more mainstream diesels and insanely powerful petrols for the AMG versions. Irrespective of the engine chosen, all CLS models come paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission that feeds power to all the four wheels via Merc’s 4MATIC AWD system.
Additionally, you also get a raft of standard or optional autonomous tech from the flagship S-Class. The new CLS will gon sale in key markets globally in March, 2018. Prices for the base model start from around £57,000 in the UK. Expect India launch to happen sometime in mid-2018. The outgoing Mercedes-Benz CLS starts at Rs. 73.54 lakh (ex-showroom) in India.
