Wednesday 18th June 2014

Facelifted Mercedes CLS launched

A new look, new tech and a new gearbox for Merc's four-door coupe

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Is it really 10 years since the first Mercedes CLS was launched? With the second generation CLS now a few years into its life cycle, a mid-term refresh was due. Both the coupe and Shooting Brake have been updated and, worry not, the CLS63 continues to head both model ranges. Although now it's in 580hp, 590lb ft 'S' form only.

AMG SB still a rather appealing prospect

The face of this CLS is described as 'a honed front section'. Really. From here it makes the CLS look ever closer to the E-Class, which seems something of a shame when the CLS is intended as the more dynamics and luxurious choice.Behind that honed front section can sit optional 'Multibeam LED' lights that adjust according to traffic and active lighting for bends.

But of far more interest to us is the new 9G-Tronic automatic, with Mercedes claiming it's the world's first nine-speed with a hydrodynamic torque converter in the premium segment. Just in case there was any confusion. The AMG continues with the previous gearbox, as does the new CLS400 with its bi-turbo V6 recently introduced in the SL. So the nine-speed will be available in the CLS350 diesel only, dropping CO2 by 18g/km to 142g/km. A 220 Bluetec diesel joins the CLS range with the facelift (177hp, 295lb ft, 129g/km) and uses the seven-speed auto.

And here's a standard one, for reference

As with outside, the refreshed CLS is only slightly different inside. The biggest change is the introduction of an even larger 20.3cm (eight-inch) infotainment screen with enough apps through Merc's Comand system to ensure you never have to actually leave the car. Perhaps.

The introduction of a new model of course presents a chance to investigate the outgoing model in the classifieds. As with nearly all AMGs, the flagship CLS models have suffered fairly chronic depreciation, with early 63 Shooting Brakes now under £50K.

The facelifted CLS arrives over here in September. The range starts at £46,500 for the CLS220 Bluetec, with the CLS350 Bluetec at £49,950, the CLS400 at £55,850 and the AMG at £86,500. The Shooting Brake carries a £1,550 premium.

 

 

[MyCC]

Is it just me or the does the design of the CLS seem to be getting worse with every new edition?! I know the original was decisive but it genuinely was something different and exotic. This is morphing into another generic German saloon which is a pity.

Regards,

MyCC.

[Patrick Bateman]

I do like the new CLS, more so in the flesh, but the original was definitely better looking.

[SimonD]

I like the outside, but that 'infotainment' screen is an eyesore. Bleurgh

[toppstuff]

The "Infotainment" screen is pleasantly large but hardly elegant in its installation.

It really does look like someone has stuck an iPad on the dash with glue and velcro.

[gumsie]

toppstuff said:

The "Infotainment" screen is pleasantly large but hardly elegant in its installation.

It really does look like someone has stuck an iPad on the dash with glue and velcro.

A prototype iPad at that. The bezels are massive, I’m surprised there is any space left for screen.

[RemarkLima]

I agree with MyCC - definitely a marked decline in the design.

Also, what's with the billion buttons inside? Looks like a commercial airliner! I thought the point of the "infotainment" systems was you could use it to the display relevant choices, and hence drop down to just 500 buttons?

[Clivey]

gumsie said:

A prototype iPad at that. The bezels are massive, I’m surprised there is any space left for screen.

It looks like a cheap knockoff stuck to the dash and it's only going to look worse as it ages. Other than that, this facelift, whilst not "ugly" does make the car look more generic - just like the current E-class compared to the pre-facelift model.

Unlike the new model, which could be anything, you could instantly tell this was a Mercedes-Benz. - It looks like a Bond villain's car (oh and it's got the best engine too):

[loudlashadjuster]

Oh dear, Merc sticking with the 'plonked-on screen' I see. The bigger it gets the worse it gets. And that bezel...

I grumbled about this approach when giving the new C-Class a once over, salesbod seemed a bit embarrassed by it, "Oh..." he said and gave a resigned smile.

[unpc]

This tech (screen) dates faster than yesterday's newspapers. You only have to look at some OEM satnavs from 5+ years ago to see that they look like rejects from the dos age.

As for the exterior, I agree with the poster who said they have got worse with each iteration. The original was quite handsome IMO. This doesn't.

[Prawnboy]

MyCC said:

Is it just me or the does the design of the CLS seem to be getting worse with every new edition?! I know the original was decisive but it genuinely was something different and exotic. This is morphing into another generic German saloon which is a pity.

Regards,

MyCC.

not just you, companies always take original designs and then water them down to dullness, (see also Audi TT, Ford KA)

[BarbaricAvatar]

Still prefer the old CLS. They should've just mildly tweaked the headlight-area of that rather than going for a clean-sheet design and spoiling it.

[scenario8]

Isn't the large bezel down to the on-screen "buttons" surrounding the central map/video allowing an unobstructed view of the satnav/whatever while making adjustments?

FWIW (not very much I'd imagine) I prefer the looks of the mark 1 version, too. That said, this update looks a bit better than its immediate predecessor. To my eyes anyway.

There, I've commented on the looks of a new car. Hypocrite.

[E65Ross]

I wonder how long it'll be until we get the people saying 9 gears is too any, when in an auto it makes sod all difference as long as the changes are smooth. The 8 speed box is superb so would be interesting to see if Merc have bettered in other than purely in the number of gears.

[kambites]

E65Ross said:

I wonder how long it'll be until we get the people saying 9 gears is too any,

I don't think it's unreasonable to say that 9 gears is perhaps a bit unnecessary, though.

[johnnnnnnyy]

It wouldn't be too bad if it wasn't for the 'over design' flicks with the pen. The line that goes down the side of the car spoils the nice natural curve, takes the eye down and makes the back end look too bulky. Not a fan of the 'hump' around the rear arch either. Without those it would look a lot cleaner and well balanced to the eye.

[E65Ross]

kambites said:

E65Ross said:

I wonder how long it'll be until we get the people saying 9 gears is too any,

I don't think it's unreasonable to say that 9 gears is perhaps a bit unnecessary, though.

It is law of diminishing returns of course, but in theory will offer better economy and performance over gearboxes with fewer gears. My 745i will pull away happily from 3rd gear (which tops out at 100) so in theory, 1 gear would be enough for the UK. Maybe 2 gears to get me up steeper hills. I sure as st prefer having a 6 speed gearbox to just 1 or 2 though.

[kambites]

There has to be an optimal point, trading fuel economy and flexibility against reliability and cost though.

I haven't driven a nine-speed car, but I've driven everything from two to eight (s well as various other configurations) and generally found that more than five forward gears is a bit pointless for road driving if they're spaced sensibly. Nothing wrong with nine mind, as long as it works properly, I'm not not entirely convinced it's worth the effort.

[Patrick Bateman]

Given the ZF 8 speed is unanimously lauded, in what way do you mean a bit pointless?

[articulatedj]

That shooting brake is gorgeous.

[sparks_E39]

An absolutely gorgeous and fantastic car, I love the way Mercedes are going with their styling. When I saw the old CLS for the first time a decade ago I thought it looked a bit like a banana, in my opinion the newer ones are much nicer.