Mercedes shows the new CLS

The facelifted CLS has finally been unveiled. The facelift also brings an entry level variant, the CLS280 to the fold. Changes in the exteriors include a modified radiator grille, new look exterior mirrors with inbuilt arrow shaped LED side indicator lamps, restyled 17-inch or 18-inch (for CLS 500) alloys and 19-inch for the AMG variant, new tail lights, rare apron and modified tailpipes.

Mercedes CLS img

Changes to the interior include a restyled steering wheel in

three-spoke design, and the instrument cluster now gets white dials. NTG 2.5

telematics generation has also found a place in the car. The entry level CLS

280 sports a 231hp V6 that produces 300Nm of torque. The zero to 62mph dash

takes 7.7 seconds, and the top speed is reached at 245kmph. Fuel efficiency

stands at 10 liters per 100km.

The CLS 63 AMG flagship model comes with a 6.3-L V8 that

churns out 514hp and 630Nm of torque. A zero to 100kmph dash takes just

4.5seconds, and the top speed has been electronically limited to 250kmph.

Transmission for all CLS models is the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic

transmission, the AMG variant comes with AMG Speedshift Plus 7G-Tronic transmission as standard.

Picture Gallery

Facelifted CLS

[Courtesy: Mercedes Benz / Daimler]

Press Release:

The new-generation CLS: Fine-tuning for the design trendsetter

Stuttgart – Mercedes-Benz is making

the CLS even more irresistible. This one-of-a-kind four-door coupé – the

pioneer of a whole new automotive segment – has now been fine-tuned to give it

added appeal. The new entry-level model version, the CLS 280 with its

sophisticated V6 power unit, develops 170 kW/231 hp. Meanwhile, the flagship

model in the range – the CLS 63 AMG with its 378 kW/514 hp AMG 6.3-litre V8

engine – now comes with 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels plus a new AMG sports

exhaust system.

Understated but masterly neatly sums up the

result of the restyling programme for the CLS. At the front, it is the

modified radiator grille that stands out, with two louvres now instead

of the previous four. The diamond-shaped, three-dimensional grilles

painted in atlas grey that cover the air intakes project an even

greater air of self-assurance as well as adding further emphasis to the

vehicle's width. The exterior mirrors have also been given a new look.

The LED side indicator lamps that are built into them are arranged in

the form of an arrow to produce a most eye-catching effect, especially

in the dark. The mirror surface has furthermore been enlarged by 32 per

cent to afford a clearer view of the traffic behind and thereby boost

active safety.

The side view is dominated by new, attractively

styled light-alloy wheels, measuring either 17 inches (CLS 280, CLS 320

CDI and CLS 350 CGI) or 18 inches (CLS 500) in diameter. When viewed

from the rear, the new-generation CLS makes its mark with a new rear

apron, new tail lights, as well as modified tailpipes. The centre

section of the rear bumper now drops down further, while the additional

light-catching contour running along it adds to the impression of

breadth. This is further emphasised by the exhaust tailpipes, which are

trapezoidal in shape, and not oval as before. LED technology is now

deployed for the tail lights: the brake lamps, tail lamps and indicator

lamps all make use of the extra-fast-reacting light-emitting diodes.

Just like the side indicators in the exterior mirrors, the rear

indicators look like arrows when they light up, which is particularly

striking in the dark. The same is true of the optical fibres at the

side, which are always activated whenever the low-beam headlamps are

switched on. A new deactivation function for the low-beam headlamps when the ignition is switched off helps to optimise energy management.

The new bodywork details harmonise perfectly

with the multi-award-winning design of the CLS and make the four-door

Coupé always look as if it is about to dash off. Almost four years on

from its world premiere, the electrifying, muscular lines of the

trendsetter are as unique and as unmistakable as ever.

New inside: three-spoke steering wheel and new telematics generation

Great attention to detail was paid while

updating the interior too: modifications include a restyled leather

steering wheel in a three-spoke design with multifunction buttons, as

well as a new-look instrument cluster, whose white dials now contrast

distinctly with the chased surface of the backplate. The previous matt

laurel colour scheme has been replaced with new chestnut wood trim

elements.

The CLS features the new NTG 2.5 telematics

generation, whose high-performance componentry combines straightforward

operation and logical menu navigation with flawless in-vehicle

entertainment. Features include speed-sensitive volume control, a

keypad for entering telephone numbers and radio frequencies, an

MP3-compatible CD and DVD player, as well as a Bluetooth interface

which can establish a wireless connection between a mobile phone and

the vehicle's hands-free system.

The Audio 20, Audio 20 CD with CD changer, Audio

50 and Audio 50 APS with DVD changer and LINGUATRONIC voice control

system have now been upgraded to a 5-inch colour screen. The COMAND APS

comes with a high-resolution 6.5-inch colour display, LINGUATRONIC

for audio, navigation and telephone calls, a music register for storing

audio files, plus an SD memory card slot.

CLS 280: new entry-level engine variant with 170 kW/231 hp

The CLS 280 is equipped with a new entry-level

engine, a sophisticated V6 powerplant with a displacement of 2996 cc

developing a peak output of 170 kW/231 hp and a maximum torque of 300

Newton metres. This propels the CLS 280 from standstill to 100 km/h in

7.7 seconds and gives it a top speed of 245 km/h. Combined fuel

consumption on the NEDC driving cycle is 9.8 - 10.0 litres per 100

kilometres. The second V6 petrol model in the range is the CLS 350 CGI.

Its advanced six-cylinder engine featuring piezoelectric direct

injection and spray-guided combustion generates 215 kW/292 hp and

returns impressively low fuel consumption figures of 9.1 to 9.3 litres

per 100 kilometres (NEDC combined). Under the bonnet of the CLS 500 is

a V8 drive unit with a displacement of 5.5 litres and a maximum output

of 285 kW/388 hp. What makes the CLS 320 CDI with its

165 kW/224 hp V6 diesel engine especially thrilling is the formidable

torque of 540 Newton metres on the one hand and, on the other, low fuel

consumption of just 7.6 - 8.1 litres of diesel for every 100 km (NEDC

combined).

All CLS models come fitted with the 7G-TRONIC

seven-speed automatic transmission as standard. In manual shift mode

"M", the driver is able to shift through the gears using shift paddles

on the steering wheel if desired. This shortens the 0-100 km/h

acceleration time by 0.2 seconds.

CLS 63 AMG flagship model with AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC

The flagship model in the CLS range, the CLS 63

AMG, is powered by the AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine with 378 kW/514 hp and

630 Newton metres of torque. The high-revving, naturally aspirated

engine now makes its presence known in an even more distinctive

fashion: the AMG sports exhaust system's redesigned rear silencers

deliver an even more captivating soundtrack through the two sets of

oval-shaped, chromed twin tailpipes. The AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC

transmission now incorporates a function which blips the throttle

automatically during downshifts. This does more than just intensify the

emotive driving experience - the virtually load-free downshift

procedure also leads to a reduction in load-alteration effects, which

is of particular benefit when braking ahead of corners on the race

track. The CLS 63 AMG accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds,

while its top speed is limited electronically to 250 km/h.

Also new is the black-painted radiator grille

with two louvres instead of the previous three, which blends in

perfectly with the AMG bodystyling. The AMG light-alloy wheels, with

their new triple-spoke design and a titanium grey, high-sheen paint

finish, now measure 19 inches in size instead of 18 as before, and are

shod with tyres measuring 255/35 R 19 at the front and 285/30 R 19 at

the rear. Inside, the CLS 63 AMG boasts a new AMG sports steering wheel

with a three-spoke design. The grip areas are specially contoured and

trimmed in perforated leather. Gear selection can be performed manually

by means of two aluminium AMG shift paddles.

Attractive optional extras from AMG

There is an exclusive choice of new optional extras from the AMG Performance Studio

for the CLS 63 AMG: take the AMG performance steering wheel, for

instance, with a smaller diameter, a rim that is flattened at the

bottom and silver-coloured aluminium shift paddles. Or the

titanium-grey painted AMG 19-inch light-alloy wheels with a twin-spoke

design and a polished finish, which are manufactured using first-rate

forging technology.

All CLS models can be embellished by the

addition of the AMG bodystyling package: this comprises a prominent

front apron with large air intakes, a beefy rear apron featuring a

black insert, as well as side skirts. There is also the option of new

AMG 19-inch light-alloy wheels in a high-sheen finish with either

255/35 or 285/30 tyres.

Interested customers can place their orders for

the new CLS now, with market launch commencing in March 2008. The gross

purchase prices for the new CLS are as follows:

CLS 280: €55,692.00CLS 320 CDI: €59,321.50CLS 350 CGI: €61,404.00CLS 500: €75,053.30CLS 63 AMG: €106,624.00