Mercedes-Benz CLS explained

Mercedes-Benz CLS
Production:2004–2023
Class:Executive car (E)
Successor:Mercedes-Benz EQE

The Mercedes-Benz CLS (initially called the CLS-Class) is a series of executive cars produced by Mercedes-Benz from October 2004 to August 2023.

The original model was a four-door sedan based on the Mercedes E-Class platform, marketed as a four door coupé.[1] An estate (shooting brake) model was later added to the model range with the second generation CLS.[2] All models are available as a high performance AMG variant, although it wasn't until the second generation CLS that 4MATIC all-wheel drive was offered.[3]

The CLS range is positioned between the E-Class and the S-Class within the Mercedes model range,[4] [5] and models tend to be less practical than the E-Class it is based on.[6] It primarily competes with other fastback sedans like the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe, Porsche Panamera and Audi A7. Production of the CLS ended on 31 August 2023 to prepare for the launch of the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W214).

First generation (C219; 2004)

See main article: Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class (C219). Marketed from Mercedes as a four-door coupé, the CLS was designed by Michael Fink in 2001[7] who also styled the first generation CLK, the C-SportCoupé, and Maybach 57 and 62.[8] In Europe, the CLS is recognized as a four-seat coupé and justly named the C219, while in the US, it is commonly referred to as the W219.[9] The C219 CLS is based on the W211 E-Class platform, and shares major components including the engines, transmissions, and has an identical wheelbase of 28540NaN0.[10] IVM Automotive, a subsidiary of German roof system specialist Edscha, developed the entire vehicle from the Vision CLS concept on which the CLS is based,[11] to the production version which debuted at the 2004 New York International Auto Show.[12]

Second generation (C218; 2010)

See main article: Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class (C218). The C218 CLS is the second generation model, and was sold from 2011 to 2018.[13] The body styles of the range are a 4-door coupé (C218 model code for Europe/ W218 for US market), and a 5-door estate (X218 model code, marketed as 'Shooting Brake'). The design of the CLS was based on the Mercedes F800 concept and featured design cues from other models including the Mercedes SLS AMG.[14] Unlike its predecessor, the C218 CLS is available with all-wheel drive and can be optionally configured on CLS 63 AMG models as well.[15] In 2014, the CLS underwent a facelift and featured design changes, engine enhancements, and the adoption of the Mercedes 9G-Tronic automatic transmission.[16]

Third generation (C257; 2018)

See main article: Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class (C257).

The C257 CLS is the third model and was previously available only as a four-door coupe and in rear-wheel or all-wheel drive (4MATIC) configuration.[17] The Shooting Brake body style was in development for the C257 CLS, but was shortly discontinued due to poor and declining demand overseas for the last generation model.[18] The range of engines consist of a 2.9-litre straight six turbocharged diesel engine and a 3.0-litre straight six turbocharged petrol engine.[19] The latter equips the CLS 53 AMG with features such as a mild hybrid system and an Panamericana radiator grille, which pays tribute to 300 SL model.[20] The CLS is also now a five-seater car, instead of being a four-seater as with the previous two generations.[21]

Sales

YearEurope[22] U.S.[23]
20045,543
200520,14714,835
200620,26210,763
200717,0987,906
200812,2245,775
20096,0832,527
20103,9752,135
201117,4145,665
201212,7978,065
201315,1398,032
201410,2896,981
201512,6006,152
20167,8034,156
20175,1161,839
20189,113943
20198,428941
20203,8951,206

References

Bibliography

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: 2008-09-11 . 2010 Mercedes Benz CLS - Mercedes Benz Luxury Four Door Coupe - Automobile Magazine . en-US . Automobile Magazine . 2018-05-31.
  2. News: 2015 Mercedes CLS63 AMG Review @ Top Speed . en-US . Top Speed . 2018-05-31.
  3. News: 2015 Mercedes CLS63 AMG Review @ Top Speed . en-US . Top Speed . 2018-05-31.
  4. Web site: Mercedes-Benz classes slot .
  5. Web site: 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Pricing, Ratings & Reviews Kelley Blue Book . 2018-05-31 . Kbb.com . en.
  6. Web site: Limited . Listers Group . 'MERC'S CURVE BALL' - Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class (2005-2010) Range Independent Used Review (Ref:806/208525) . 2018-05-31 . listers.co.uk . en-gb.
  7. Web site: 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 Grand Edition. Meiners. Jens. January 2009. Car and Driver. 22 February 2012.
  8. News: Design Icons: Revisiting the Trend-Setting Mercedes-Benz CLS (2004). 2017-06-27. Form Trends. 2018-05-28. en-US.
  9. Web site: 2004-2010 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class: Prices, Specs, And Features. Sokolovski. Marko. 2023-03-16. 2023-08-29.
  10. Web site: Tests - Erlkönige - Autokauf - Formel 1. 4 May 2021.
  11. Web site: Suppliers to the new Mercedes-Benz CLS class. 2005-01-10. Automotive News. 2018-05-28.
  12. Web site: 2004 New York Auto Show. 2004-04-02. 2018-05-28.
  13. News: Depreciation Appreciation: 2011-2017 Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG (C218). autoTRADER.ca. 2018-05-31. en.
  14. News: Geneva Preview: Mercedes-Benz F800 Style a sneak peek at next CLS-Class. Autoblog. 2018-05-31. en.
  15. News: 2015 Mercedes CLS63 AMG Review @ Top Speed. Top Speed. 2018-05-31. en-US.
  16. News: Mercedes CLS facelift (2014) first official pics. CAR Magazine. 2018-05-31. en.
  17. News: Should Mercedes make a new CLS Shooting Brake?. 2017-12-05. Top Gear. 2018-06-01. en.
  18. News: Mercedes-Benz kills the Shooting Brake for 2018 Mk3 CLS. CAR Magazine. 2018-06-01. en.
  19. News: Mercedes Give Details on the New Third-Gen CLS-Class. Bartosiak. Dave. The Drive. 2018-06-01. en-US.
  20. Web site: Genuine Mercedes-AMG radiator grille. mercteil.com. 27 October 2021.
  21. Web site: 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS First Look: Now a Five-Seater. 2017-11-29. MotorTrend. 2018-06-01. 2018-06-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20180606121707/http://www.motortrend.com/cars/mercedes-benz/cls-class/2019/2019-mercedes-benz-cls-first-look-review/. live.
  22. News: Mercedes-Benz CLS European sales figures. en-US. carsalesbase.com. 2018-05-31.
  23. Web site: 2015-11-08. Mercedes-Benz CLS US car sales figures. 2021-03-28. carsalesbase.com. en-US.