| Mercedes-Benz CLS (C219) | |
| Production: | December 2003[1] – August 2010 |
| Assembly: | Germany: Sindelfingen |
| Designer: | Michael Fink (2001)[2] Peter Arcadipane (initial)[3] |
| Class: | Executive (E) |
| Body Style: | 4-door coupe |
| Layout: | FR |
| Related: | Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W211) |
| Wheelbase: | 2854mm |
| Width: | 18731NaN1 |
| Weight: | 1660- |
| Successor: | Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class (C218) |
| Sp: | uk |
The C219 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class is the first generation of the CLS-Class range of four-door coupe which features a fastback body style by Mercedes-Benz, and was produced between 2003 and 2010.[4] The CLS-Class has only four seats and is marketed by Mercedes as a four-door coupé.[5] It was the first model globally to introduce this four-door coupe style and VW followed with the Volkswagen CC model in 2008 and the Porsche Panamera and Audi A7 in 2009.
The car is less practical than the W211 E-Class that it is based on, with less legroom, headroom, and boot space.[6] [7] The CLS-Class is priced above the E-Class, but below the S-Class in the Mercedes model range.[8] [9] The production of the C219 series totalled only 170,000 units globally throughout its six year production run.[10] It was replaced by the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class (C218) in 2011.[11]
The C219 CLS-Class is based on the Vision CLS concept that was unveiled at the 2003 Frankfurt International Motor Show.[12] The design combined the roof-line of a coupé onto the body of a four-door chassis leading to a fastback vehicle. It featured new technologies such as cornering lights, an electrohydraulic braking system (Sensotronic Brake Control), a seven-speed (7G-Tronic) automatic transmission,[13] and a turbo-diesel engine rated at 1970NaN0 and 5600NaN0.[14]
The production version of the C219 CLS-Class was based on the W211 E-Class platform,[15] and shares major components including the engines, transmissions and an identical wheelbase of 28540NaN0. The car is 950NaN0 longer, 510NaN0 wider, and 270NaN0 lower in comparison, and features, according to Mercedes, a 30% stiffer suspension setup and faster steering.[16]
Design patents were filed on July 24, 2002.[17] The production version CLS500 debuted at the 2004 New York International Auto Show.[18]
Standard equipment includes heated automatically dimming mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, and an automatic climate control system.[19] The CLS-Class comes with front and side airbags, and a smart sensor system connected to the seatbelts and airbags that can detect and react to an accident.[20] Available options include: self-cleaning bi-xenon HID headlamps, radar-guided cruise control, keyless go, GPS navigation, Sensotronic Brake Control and AirMATIC air suspension that can be controlled from the driver and can be raised or lowered by 760NaN0.[21]
| Model | Years | Engine | Power | Torque | 0- | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLS 280 | 2008–2009 | M272 E30 3.0 L V6 | 1700NaN0 @ 6,000 rpm | 3000NaN0 @ 2,500–5,000 rpm | 7.7 s | |
| CLS 300 | 2009–2010 | |||||
| CLS 350 | 2004–2006 | M272 E35 3.5 L V6 | 2000NaN0 @ 6,000 rpm | 3500NaN0 @ 2,400–5,000 rpm | 6.9 s | |
| CLS 350 CGI | 2006–2010 | M272 DE35 3.5 L V6 | 2150NaN0 @ 6,400 rpm | 3650NaN0 @ 3,000–5,100 rpm | 6.7 s | |
| CLS 500 | 2004–2006 | M113 E50 5.0 L V8 | 2250NaN0 @ 5,600 rpm | 4600NaN0 @ 2,700–4,250 rpm | 6.1 s | |
| CLS 550 | 2007–2010 | M273 E55 5.5 L V8 | 2850NaN0 @ 6,000 rpm | 5300NaN0 @ 2,800–4,800 rpm | 5.4 s | |
| CLS 55 AMG | 2004–2006 | M113 E55 AMG 5.4 L V8 supercharged | 3500NaN0 @ 6,100 rpm | 7000NaN0 @ 2,650–4,500 rpm | 4.2 s | |
| CLS 63 AMG | 2006–2010 | M156 E63 6.2 L V8 | 3780NaN0 @ 6,800 rpm | 6300NaN0 @ 5,200 rpm | 4.0 s |
| Model | Years | Engine | Power | Torque | 0- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLS 320 CDI | 2005–2010 | OM642 DE30 3.0 L V6 turbo | 1650NaN0 @ 3,800 rpm | 5100NaN0 @ 1,600–2,800 rpm | 7.0 s |
| CLS 350 CDI | 2007–2010 | 5400NaN0 @ 1,600–2,400 rpm | |||
| CLS 350 CDI Grand Edition | 2009 | 2030NaN0 @ 3,800 rpm | 5900NaN0 @ 1,600 rpm | 6.5 s |
The CLS 55 AMG is a high-performance variant of the CLS-Class featuring a 5.4-litre supercharged V8 producing 3500NaN0 and 7000NaN0, and was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in 2004.[22] Compared to the standard model, the CLS 55 AMG has larger 360 mm brake discs with eight-piston callipers from the SL55 AMG,[23] wider 18-inch alloy wheels, revised stiffer AirMATIC air suspension with multiple driving modes,[24] AMG bodywork, and a five-speed automatic transmission.[25]
The CLS 63 AMG was introduced in 2006, as the successor to the CLS 55 AMG. The car is powered by the then new Mercedes M156 engine that produces 3830NaN0 and 6300NaN0;[26] with less torque than before in order to accommodate the new AMG Speedshift Plus 7G-Tronic seven-speed transmission, instead of the previous five-speed automatic.[27] The new transmission includes a comfort, sport, and manual mode that allows for the manual changing of gears.[28] Sport mode have shift speeds that are almost 30% faster than comfort and 50% faster than manual.[29] [30] The car also features an updated instrument cluster and alloy-wheel design.[31]
The CLS 63 AMG had a 6208cc V8 petrol engine, with 514abbr=onNaNabbr=on and 6300NaN0 of torque, and an electronically-limited top speed of 2500NaN0.[32] [33] The CLS 63 AMG was able to reach 100km/h in 4.5 seconds.[34] Its curb weight was 1870kg (4,120lb).
The CLS Grand Edition was a special edition model of the CLS-Class, with only 560 units produced and sold in 2009.[35] The CLS Grand Edition was available with all non-AMG models at the time, and the CLS 350 CDI model received performance improvements of 380NaN0 and 500NaN0.[36] Standard equipment included: bi-xenon headlights, titanium grey 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, laurel wood interior trim, and 'Grand Edition' insignia.[37] Models were also offered with a choice of designo leather upholstery and four exclusive metallic exterior paint colours.[38]
In 2008, a facelift was introduced for the CLS-Class:[42]
Pre-facelift styling
Post-facelift styling
The CLS-Class was produced in Sindelfingen, Germany.[47]
The following are the sales figures in European markets and in the United States only:[48] [49]
| Year | EU total | US total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 5,543 | - | |
| 2005 | 20,147 | 14,835 | |
| 2006 | 20,262 | 10,763 | |
| 2007 | 17,098 | 7,906 | |
| 2008 | 12,224 | 5,775 | |
| 2009 | 6,083 | 2,527 | |
| 2010 | 3,975 | 2,135 | |
| Total: | 85,332 | 43,941 |