RE: 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS: Driven

[shotta287]

The original CLS is a timeless design, remains my fav Merc especially the '55 AMG.
This interior is certainly better in this new one. But I'll wait til I see one in the flesh before making any calls on the exterior.

[Alex_225]

I must admit that I do think that new CLS design is very tidy and better looking than the previous generation. Interior looks very fuss but I'm sure once you're sat in it, it's a nice place to be.

I'm not sure they've nailed making this model CLS quite as striking as the original model. It's very nice looking but hasn't quite got that stand out look to it that the original did. I wouldn't turn one down though.

[Osinjak]

That interior. Makes my BMW look like an Astra. *sigh*

[Noodle1982]

KillerHERTZ said:

as you can see from the photos virtually everyone was looking around at it.

'virtually everyone' ?

I can see one person looking at it.

Ugliest CLS to date.

[FerdiZ28]

Noodle1982 said:

'virtually everyone' ?

I can see one person looking at it.

Ugliest CLS to date.

I count three. Best looking to date (and I owned one of each of the last two)

[anonymous-user]

Shame they aren't going to do a Shooting Brake version but I can see it is a very limited market.

I had a CLS63 SB which I thought was the better looking variant of that generation. Monstrously quick, good looking and attracted a lot of positive interest.

Not sure if it still does but for a while held the record for fastest estate car at VMax

[fatboy b]

I can’t bring myself to look at that dash every time I drive it. Bloody hideous.

[unsprung]

fatboy b said:

I can’t bring myself to look at that dash every time I drive it. Bloody hideous.

That must make for a uniquely uncomfortable experience, to stare with great intent through the windscreen. "Mustn't look down, mustn't look down..."

[dunnoreally]

I'm sure it's lovely, but it still ain't no coupe, no matter how many times their marketing says so.

[DanielSan]

Noodle1982 said:

'virtually everyone' ?

I can see one person looking at it.

Ugliest CLS to date.

There’s a few looking in its direction sort of ish

[bluemason]

dunnoreally said:

I'm sure it's lovely, but it still ain't no coupe, no matter how many times their marketing says so.

I think mb should have made an actual 2 dr coupe variant of the cls to replace the e class coupe as the current e class coupe looks weird.
So you would have had the cls coupe,cls four door coupe and the shooting brake

[bluemason]

tankplanker said:

hile its a big step up from the "iPad in a dash mount" of the old car, it still isn't built into the dash fully, I really do not like the side angle on them as it looks like an iPad resting on the dash rather than properly built in. Here it is in the E Class:


I prefer the look of the new A7 dash as it is fully intergrated, even if the Merc dash is going to be easier to use as it has physical buttons for key things like climate:

Ipads and apple devices do tend to be aesthetically pleasing and the large screens that are mounted in mb interiors are more practical from a drivers perspective.
The new a7 interior will be a fingerprint and dust magnet and it looks fussy and complicated.

[tankplanker]

bluemason said:

Ipads and apple devices do tend to be aesthetically pleasing and the large screens that are mounted in mb interiors are more practical from a drivers perspective.
The new a7 interior will be a fingerprint and dust magnet and it looks fussy and complicated.

I'm in complete agreement that physical buttons and dials are more practical, and attract less finger prints. However in the Merc they still look like stuck on iPads that some amateur wanna be ICE installer has retro fitted, they do not look built in at all and I expect that in a £60k+ car. It can't be that hard to build a proper frame around them to flush fit them to the dashboard and finish them off properly.

[fatboy b]

unsprung said:

fatboy b said:

I can’t bring myself to look at that dash every time I drive it. Bloody hideous.

That must make for a uniquely uncomfortable experience, to stare with great intent through the windscreen. "Mustn't look down, mustn't look down..."