The Mercedes-Benz CLS Is The New Three-Letter Word For Sex On Wheels

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has officially launched the all-new third-generation CLS, the car comes about eight months since its first public preview at this year’s Detroit Auto Show. At launch, the variants available will only be the CLS 450 4Matic Edition 1 and the AMG CLS 53 4Matic+. MBM will offer the standard CLS 450 and CLS 350 at a later date.

CLS 450 4Matic

The design of the new CLS evidently uses less lines than the previous generations. At the front, the diamond grille widens its design at the base and resembled that of the contours on the AMG GT. The flat and wide headlamps with inward-slanting flanks follow the contour of the grille. The DRL’s in the headlamps of this car carry on the current design language, but leaves the other parts to showcase the brand’s latest style lines that will carry on throughout other Mercedes-Benz models.

The coupé silhouette is evidently CLS at the side – with the high, arching waistline, frameless side windows. At the rear, the CLS takes on a completely new look, with a flat rear end, two-section tail lights featuring Edgelight backlighting for a three-dimensional crystalline appearance.

Inside, the wide cockpit is a familiar look seen in Mercedes’ current range of cars, apart from the latest designed steering wheel, illuminated turbine air vents (first seen on the S-Class Coupé) and trapezoidal shaped Burmester speaker grilles.

Exclusively, the Edition 1 variant will feature the AMG Line on the exterior with recognisable badges both inside and out. Multibeam LED headlamps are as standard and 20-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels painted in black. For the cabin, the Copper Art interior concept with seats in black pearl nappa leather with centre sections in a diamond design and copper-coloured accents; contrasting topstitching on the centre console, seats, armrests, dashboard and door linings, and a unique diamond grille with matt chrome pins and louvre with a copper-coloured shimmer.

Power

The drive system for the new CLS range is an interesting one. For the CLS 450, the 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder biturbo petrol produces 367 hp and 500 Nm of torque from 1,600 to 4,000 rpm. Merged with the combustion unit is an integrated starter or generator (ISG) unit that is responsible for hybrid functions like EQ Boost or energy recuperation and a 48-volt on-board electrical system. Additionally, 22 hp and 250 Nm of torque is available in short periods through EQ Boost.

Paired with a 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic transmission, the century sprint time is 4.8-seconds.

When comparing with the previous generation CLS 500 with a V8, this unit produces 23 per cent less CO2 emissions.

Suspension

As standard, the CLS rides on four-link front and five-link rear suspension. Air Body Control has an improved, adjustable and adaptive damping system. Vehicle characteristics can be selected from comfortable to sporty according to driving modes.

Intelligent Drive

The range of driving assistance and safety systems such as Active Brake, Lane Keeping, Attention, Speed Limit Assist and Pre-Safe occupant protection system is standard. Part of this also includes Pre-Safe Sound, a technology that emits a brief rushing sound when the danger of a collision is detected. The sound lessens the risk of hearing discomfort if an impact occurs.

Taking a lot of the S-Class technologies on board, the CLS does feature the latest generation driving assistant systems with route-based driver support provided by the Driving Assistance Package.

AMG CLS 53

The top of the line CLS is powered by the same 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder petrol on the CLS 450 but is uprated to 435 hp and 520 Nm of torque from 1,800 to 5,800 rpm. The same 48-volt on-board electrical system provides the same 22 hp and 250 Nm EQ Boost when needed. In terms of acceleration from standstill, the CLS 53 does it just 0.3-seconds quicker than the CLS 450 at 4.5-seconds. Differences here is also the coupled AMG Speedshift TCT 9G transmission with short shift times, double-declutching function and multiple downshifts.

In terms of suspension, the CLS 53 gets AMG Ride Control+ air suspension with continuously adjustable damping ADS+ (Adaptive Damping System) that combines outstanding driving dynamics with high ride comfort. The pneumatic all-round self-leveling also maintains a constant ride height regardless of vehicle load. The level can also be raised at steeper entrances and ramps.

As with AMG’s, the CLS 53’s Dynamic Select modes of Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual can be selected together with the suspension set-up. Together with the electromechanical speed-sensitive steering, the CLS 53 is said to provide precise and authentic feedback and has assistance in modes of Comfort or Sport.

Specifications

Prices are on-the-road without insurance without GST.

 

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