Mercedes-Benz claim that the new second-generation CLS four-door coupe has put them a whole generation ahead of the competition and while that may be hype there’s no doubt that the new Mercedes-Benz CLS is one damn fine looking vehicle.
The exterior
Mercedes-Benz has stayed with the long sleek look of the first generation CLS models but there are changes here even though they may not be so obvious. Mercedes-Benz was looking to reduce weight in the latest version of the CLS and so much of the body is made from aluminium.
The doors are made from deep-drawn aluminium panels with extruded sections and the bonnet, front wings, boot lid, parcel shelf and various support profiles are also aluminium.
The suspension
The new Mercedes-Benz CLS rides on what is basically the suspension system that first appeared under the new E-Class. However in the CLS the suspension has been re-tuned and combined with a new electromechanical power steering sytem.
Unlike previous steering support systems this new system only uses power when the vehicle is actually being steered and that is enough to save up to 0.3 litres of fuel compared to the previous CLS.
The engine
The new CLS comes with a choice of four engines … two 6 cylinder petrol engines, 1 diesel and one V8 … that not only produce more torque and power but also provide fuel savings of up to 31 per cent.
The six cylinder petrol and diesel engines will be available immediately while the V8 will come a little later.
Safety
One of the most advanced safety features on the new Mercedes-Benz CLS are the headlights. The CLS is the first passenger car to offer high performance LED headlights that give the driver better light on the roads at night.
The light provided by the 71 LEDs in each headlight provide a light that is closer to what a driver would see in daylight than previous headlights and that means that there is less strain on the eyes.
Other new safety features include Active Lane Keeping Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist. Active Lane Keeping Assist is activated if the car drifts across a lane line. If the lane marking is solid then the brakes are automatically applied on one side of the car to bring it back to its correct lane. If the lane line is a broken line an electric pulse is sent to the steering wheel to make it gently vibrate as a warning.
Active Blind Spot Assist uses short-range radar sensors to detect any danger of collision if the driver is about to change lanes. If the driver ignores the warning the brakes on one side of the car are automatically applied to bring the car back into the lane that it was traveling in.
CLS 63 AMG
And of course if there’s a Mercedes-Benz CLS there’s always going to be a CLS 63 AMG and if you have the money to buy one you won’t be disappointed.
The Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG comes with a new AMG V8 biturbo engine that puts out 410kW of power coupled to an AMG Speedshift MCT 7-speed sports transmission. That combination will return 10L/100km on a combined cycle.
There’s also AMG ride control sports suspension with electronically controlled damping, a new front axle and distinctive interior and exterior design … check the AMG gallery for all the photos.
2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS
