Automotive

Published on April 7th, 2021 | by Subhash Nair

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Mercedes-Benz CLS Family Facelifted For 2022

The Mercedes-Benz CLS and Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 have received their first facelift.

When it comes to 4-door coupé, few can argue that the ultimate vehicle is in fact the Mercedes-Benz CLS. They practically invented the genre back in 2004 with the first generation model. It sits very comfortably in between the E-Class and S-Class in terms of prestige, size and drivability. The third-generation model debuted in 2017 and it has since been introduced to Malaysia in various configurations.

Now we have a facelift to that model.

Here’s what’s new.

Exterior

  • Revised front bumper
  • Chrome front splitter
  • 3D-patterned front grille with chrome-glass surfacing
  • AMG Line package is standard
  • Chrome trapezoidal exhaust tips
  • new rear diffuser
  • Starling Blue Metallic colour option
  • New wheel 19″ and 20″ options and finishes (Tremolite Grey and High-Gloss Black)

Interior

  • New steering wheel with Nappa leather cover, and new capacitive sensors
  • New trim choices (Open Pore Brown Walnut and High Gloss Grey Wood)
  • New upholstery choices (two-tone Neva Grey/Magma Grey, Sienna Brown/Black)
  • Special Designo interior options: classic red/black, saddle brown/black, tartufo brown/black, deep white/black and yacht blue/black.

Petrol Engines

  • 2.0L Inline 4 in base model
  • 299 hp and 400Nm of torque in CLS 350
  • 3.0L Inline 6 with ISG and MHEV system revised
  • 367hp and 500Nm of torque in CLS 450 4MATIC
  • 435hp and 520Nm of torque in AMG CLS 53 4MATIC+

Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 4MATIC+

There’s also a Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 4MATIC+ performance model with more aggressive styling, power and equipment. Here’s a summary of that model:

  • redesigned AMG bumper in A-wing form with black flics and visible air curtains
  • AMG signature Panamericana grille with vertical bars
  • Surrounds of the windscreen frames are made of polished aluminium or, in combination with the Night Package, in high-gloss black
  • Exterior mirrors are painted in the colour of the vehicle except when paired with AMG Night Package or AMG Exterior II Carbon Package
  • Red-painted brake callipers with black AMG lettering
  • AMG Performance steering wheel in nappa leather/DINAMICA microfibre or alternatively in nappa leather
  • AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G transmission
  • 4MATIC+
  • AMG RIDE CONTROL+ air suspension

PRESS RELEASE

The CLS will come to the starting line in April 2021 with a sharpened design. The front end in particular, with new radiator grilles and bumpers, expresses the dynamism of the four-door coupé even more strongly. At the same time, the interior has been upgraded with additional leather and trim combinations as well as a new generation of steering wheel. A latest-generation diesel with integrated starter-generator expands the model range. A strictly limited special model of the Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 4MATIC+ (combined fuel consumption 9.0-8.7 l/100 km; combined CO2206-199 g/km)[1] forms the sporty-exclusive spearhead. The modernised CLS celebrates its world premiere in April, and the first models arrive at European dealers in July. Thanks to a comprehensive refresh last summer with updates to the driving assistance systems, the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) multimedia system and ENERGIZING Comfort, the CLS was already up-to-date technologically.

As a coupé, the CLS, together with all roadsters and cabriolets, belongs to the category of dream cars at Mercedes-Benz. To date, more than four million examples have been sold to customers all over the world, including more than 450,000 CLS models since the launch of the first generation in 2004. China was the largest sales market for the CLS Coupé in 2020, followed by South Korea, the USA and Germany. The reason most frequently cited by customers for buying the CLS is its design: Sportiness is the true luxury in this customer segment.

Now the CLS shows off an even sportier look. The entry-level model with AVANTGARDE Exterior as standard features a new front apron with striking air intakes, two louvres at the sides, and a front splitter in silver chrome. The rear apron has a black diffuser-look insert and a silver-chrome trim strip. Two new designs are available for the 19-inch light-alloy wheel: 5-twin-spoke or multi-spoke rims.

If the CLS is equipped with the AMG Line Exterior, it signals its sportiness even more clearly: AMG styling components are fitted in this version. These include an AMG-specific front apron with A-wing in black, a front splitter in silver chrome, sporty, distinctive air intakes with vertical bars and aerodynamically shaped flics in high-gloss black. Other features include AMG sill trim on the side and AMG spoiler lip on the boot lid. In combination with AMG Line Exterior, two new colours can be selected for the 20-inch, high-gloss AMG multi-spoke light-alloy wheel in bi-colour look: tremolite grey or high-gloss black.

All models with AVANTGARDE Exterior or AMG Line Exterior receive a new radiator grille. Special features of this grille are the Mercedes-Benz pattern (a three-dimensional star pattern with chrome-gloss surfaces), a louvre in high-gloss black with chrome inlay and the integrated Mercedes star. The new paint colour for the CLS is spectral blue metallic.

In addition to the more distinctive exterior, the interior has also been enhanced. Two new trim finishes, including for the centre console, are available in open-pore brown walnut and high-gloss grey wood. The range of leather seat upholstery has also been expanded: Neva grey/magma grey and sienna brown/black are the two new colour combinations here.

As part of the update, the CLS receives a redesigned multifunction steering wheel in nappa leather. The spokes are finished in high-gloss black with silver chrome edging, the paddle shifters in silver chrome. With the Driving Assistance Package (optional extra), the driver is supported by Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC and Active Steering Assist. Here, the steering wheel uses the capacitive principle to detect the driver’s hands. There is a two-zone sensor pad in the steering wheel rim. The sensors on the front and reverse sides of the rim register whether the driver’s hands are on the wheel. No steering movement is now required to inform the assistance systems that the driver is in control. This enhances user-friendliness when driving in semi-automated mode.

Greater individualisation possible with designo

The 250 experts at Mercedes-Benz designo in Sindelfingen can transform the CLS into a very personal one-off if desired. The selection has also been increased for these special options: new, for example, are the special lacquers jupiter red, cashmere white magno and emerald green. These are available for all equipment versions.

The two-tone designo interior with exclusive nappa leather is available in five new combinations: classic red/black, saddle brown/black, tartufo brown/black, deep white/black and yacht blue/black.

Sharpened in many details: Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 4MATIC+

Mercedes-AMG has updated the sporty top model of the model series with numerous visual highlights and attractive equipment packages. The standard innovations on the CLS 53 4MATIC+ include the redesigned front end with the sporty AMG bumper in A-wing form with black flics and visible air curtains, as well as the AMG signature grille with vertical bars. The surrounds of the windscreen frames are made of polished aluminium or, in combination with the Night Package, in high-gloss black. The exterior mirrors are painted in the colour of the vehicle. Here, too, models with the AMG Night Package or AMG Exterior II Carbon Package are an exception: The mirrors there are finished in high-gloss black or have a housing made of carbon fibre. Mercedes-AMG drivers also steer the CLS with the latest-generation steering wheel, here in nappa leather finish and with the familiar AMG steering wheel buttons with display.

In terms of optional extras, two new packages allow the coupé to be even sportier: the AMG Night Package II, available in combination with the AMG Night Package, includes the radiator grille, Mercedes star at the rear and typography in darkened chrome.

The AMG DYNAMIC PLUS Package enhances dynamics in several respects. The red-painted brake callipers with black AMG lettering add a visual highlight to the exterior. In the interior, the AMG Performance steering wheel in nappa leather/DINAMICA microfibre or alternatively in nappa leather rounds off the package with sporty elegance. Racetrack-fit performance with a sporty emphasis can be experienced in the additional “RACE” driving mode with the Drift mode.

The CLS 53 4MATIC+ combines a powerful 320 kW (435 hp) output with sporty style and high efficiency. The integrated starter-generator briefly delivers an additional 16 kW of power and 250 Nm of torque and supplies the 48-volt on-board network. It unites the starter and alternator in one electric motor and is integrated between the engine and transmission. This, as well as the intelligent turbocharging with electric auxiliary compressor (eZV) and exhaust gas turbocharger, pursue the same goal: to offer the performance and driving dynamics characteristic of AMG, while at the same time reducing fuel consumption and emissions. The extremely fast-shifting AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G transmission, the fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive and the AMG RIDE CONTROL+ air suspension also contribute to the dynamic driving experience.

Performance for individualists: the limited Edition model from Mercedes-AMG

Only 300 units of the new Limited Edition are planned. For the paintwork, the customer can choose between cashmere white magno and selenite grey magno. There are racing stripes above the side sills. On the Edition model in cashmere white magno, these are in dark grey metallic gloss. If the CLS is painted in selenite grey magno, the stripes are black non-metallic gloss. Both stripe variants are highlighted in red non-metallic gloss.

20-inch AMG 5-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels, painted black and with a high-sheen rim flange, are also standard, as are the AMG Night Package and the AMG Night Package II (see above for details). With the AMG Night Package, selected exterior elements are finished in high-gloss black. These include the front splitter of the AMG front apron, the housings of the exterior mirrors and the surrounds of the side windows. Aft of the 
B-pillar, this CLS has heat-insulating, dark-tinted glass.

The AMG DYNAMIC PLUS Package (for equipment scope, see above) also comes as standard with this Edition model. When the front doors are opened, LED technology is used to project the AMG emblem onto the ground next to the vehicle in a 3D look.

The features of the sporty special model in the interior: two-tone AMG nappa leather in black/silver grey pearl, AMG trim elements in carbon, steering wheel in nappa leather and DINAMICA with red contrasting topstitching as well as AMG steering wheel buttons and the AMG lettering on the centre console.


About the Author

Written work on dsf.my. @subhashtag on instagram. Autophiles Malaysia on Youtube.



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