Mercedes-Benz’ CLS, the car which started the ‘four-door coupe’ genre, opens the 2015 batting with an updated range highlighted by a new CLS 400 model, a nine-speed automatic transmission and – hard to believe we know – even more stylish looks inside and out.
However the CLS63 AMG S Shooting Brake (wagon) has been dropped.
Like the new SL 400, the CLS 400 employs Mercedes’ astonishingly good twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine which delivers 245kW/400Nm.
The 9G-TRONIC transmission arrives in the updated CLS 500 model for improved agility and reduced fuel consumption.
Also new are Multibeam LED headlights with the Intelligent Light System with faster reacting anti-dazzle, a satellite navigation assisted night function for roundabouts and a camera based anticipatory active function.
Compared to current ‘best-practice’ high-beam headlights, Benz’ Multibeam LED system offers up to 2.5 times the output.
Those new lights are part of the re-designed front-end (the grille is also revised and air intakes larger) which highlights the revised exterior look for the updated Mercedes-Benz CLS lineup.
Inside, the updated Mercedes-Benz follows the lead of its smaller siblings by adopting a free-standing centre screen for audio and satellite navigation (21.3-inch) and there’s a beautifully-styled new three-spoke steering wheel.
Across the range and varying by model the CLS gains some significant new kit – 360-degree camera, multi-contoured seats with heating and cooling and illuminated doors sills to name a few.
And the rip-snorting CLS63 AMG S – in our opinion a contender for the world’s best four-door sedan – gets an improved seven-speed DCT transmission amongst its extras.
The updated range is:
2015 Mercedes-Benz CLS Coupe
| CLS 250 CDI | $114,900 |
| CLS 400 | $139,900 |
| CLS 500 | $169,000 |
| CLS 63 AMG S | $249,000 |
2015 Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake
| CLS 250 CDI | $124,900 |
| CLS 500 | $179,000 |
