Mercedes CLS-Class Arrives in Style

By Motoring Channel Staff - 03/6/2005

The new Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class has arrived in Australian dealerships, and will be offered in three grades, with prices beginning at $137,900 for the 6-cylinder variants.

The entry level model is the CLS 350, a newly developed V6 with 200kW, which will be available later in the year. The second model is the CLS 500, available now, a muscular 8-cylinder unit with 225kW, which asks $173,900 before dealer delivery charges.

Before we get to the details of the CLS 350 and CLS 500, however, is the $247,900 CLS 55 AMG. Imposing performance figures, a dynamic design and exclusive specification: Mercedes-AMG has succeeded in creating a most desirable car in the form of the new CLS 55 AMG, now on sale.

This unique 4-door coupé is driven by the powerful and refined AMG V8 supercharged engine, which generates an output of 350kW and 700 Newton metres of torque from a displacement of 5.5-litres.

This gives the car truly top-notch performance: the CLS 55 AMG accelerates from standstill to 100km/h in just 4.7 seconds and reaches 200km/h after 16.1 seconds. Like all Mercs, the maximum speed is electronically limited to 250km/h.

The impressive power of the supercharged V8 engine is due to the sophisticated supercharger technology already familiar from the SL 55 AMG and E 55 AMG.

The belt-driven supercharger and the intercooler are located between the banks of cylinders; these work together with the low temperature radiator in the front end to achieve particularly efficient cooling of the charge air.

As in the other AMG high-performance cars, the engine power is transferred to the wheels via the AMG SpeedShift 5-speed automatic transmission (the CLS 350 and CLS 500 come standard with 7-speed autos).

This allows the driver to choose between fully automatic or manual gear changes, the latter being possible by using either the selector lever or – in Formula 1 style - the gearshift buttons on the ergonomic AMG sports steering wheel.

The powerplant is complemented by the AMG sports suspension and the AMG high-performance braking system. Mercedes-AMG engineers have developed a new AMG sports suspension based on the semi-active air suspension Airmatic DC with the Adaptive Damping System. Both the springs and dampers are configured more stiffly compared to the CLS 500.

The suspension of the CLS 55 AMG has been lowered by ten millimetres compared to that of the other models in the CLS-Class. Automatic level control all-round ensures that spring travel remains exactly the same even when the car is laden. Larger stabilisers reduce body roll when negotiating bends at speed.

Mercedes new CLS 55 AMG is also equipped with the acclaimed high-performance braking system of the SL 55 AMG, which is based on the electro-hydraulic braking system Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC). They guarantee impressive deceleration values with a high fade resistance. The AMG high-performance braking system at a glance:

Front brakes: 8 pot calipers with 360 x 36mm discs
Rear brakes: 4 pot calipers with 330 x 26mm discs

The chosen combination of wheels and tyres also contributes to dynamic handling, with wide-base tyres in size 255/40 and 285/35 mounted on 8.5 and 9.5-inch wide, 18-inch twin-spoke AMG light-alloy wheels. AMG light-alloy wheels in a four-spoke design are also available in the same sizes and with the same tyres. A tyre pressure loss warning system is standard equipment.

Getting back to the not-so-expensive CLS-Class models, and Mercedes-Benz says that the car is based on a unique vehicle concept, which for the first time combines the elegance and dynamism of a coupé with the comfort and practicality of a saloon.

Spaciousness, luggage capacity and day-to-day practicality are at the level of a saloon, while the design lines possess the emotionally charged character of a coupé.

The technical specification also points the way to the future: in addition to adaptive front airbags, sidebags and windowbags, the preventive occupant protection system PRE-SAFE is to become available for the new Mercedes Coupé in the near future.

In the field of handling safety Mercedes-Benz emphasises its technological leadership among car brands in the new CLS-Class with Sensotronic Brake Control SBC and the latest-generation Electronic Stability Program (ESP) as standard.

Also standard are the powerful bi-xenon headlamps with Headlamp Assist, which Mercedes-Benz now combines with cornering lights.

Distronic proximity cruise control, Linguatronic voice control and the access and drive authorisation system Keyless-Go are further optional Mercedes innovations.

The engine range includes two powerful petrol units: in the CLS 350 a newly developed V6 with 200kW (available later this year) and in the CLS 500 a muscular eight-cylinder unit with 225kW.

Both engines are partnered by the new 7-speed automatic transmission, 7G-Tronic, as standard. In the top CLS 500 model features such as Airmatic DC air suspension and Thermotronic 4-zone climate control provide S-Class levels of comfort.

The four-door coupé allows passengers in the rear convenient access and egress. They have the benefit of two comfortable single seats and enjoy generous freedom of movement. Furthermore, the boot of the new CLS-Class holds up to 505 litres – much more than any other coupé and even many a saloon.

Standard appointments in the 6-cylinder Coupé include Thermotronic luxury 4-zone climate control system, a stereo radio with 6-disc CD changer, speed-sensitive power steering, Parktronic parking aid, the control and display system COMAND with Australia-wide DVD navigation, powerful bi-xenon headlamps with the newly developed cornering light function, leather upholstery, a leather-covered steering wheel, 17-inch light-alloy wheels and 245/45 R17 wide-base tyres.

With the 5.0-litre V8 engine the new CLS 500 need fear no performance comparison with thoroughbred sports cars, while offering the 8-cylinder comfort typical of a luxury-class saloon. This power unit has an output of 225kW and an impressive 460Nm of torque. Once again the standard 7-speed automatic transmission plays its part here. The CLS-Class V8 Coupé accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds. The fuel consumption is 12.6 litres per 100 kilometres on average.

The additional standard equipment in the CLS 500 (as compared with the CLS 350) includes Airmatic DC air suspension, glass electric sunroof, TV tuner and 18-inch light-alloy wheels with 245/40 R18 wide-base tyres.