The Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class is an executive class car, positioned between the E-Class and S-Class and made by the German manufacturer since 2004, currently in its third generation. It started as a four-door fastback based on the E-Class platform, while in the 2nd generation a Shooting Brake style estate was added to the lineup. AMG high-performance models were available from the start, but the 4MATIC four-wheel-drive was added with the 2nd generation. 

The First Generation: W219 (2004-2010)

Marketed as a four-door coupé, the CLS is specific in having only four seats, making it less practical than the E-Class it is based on, with less leg-space in the rear, headspace, as well as boot cargo capacity. The design was handled by Michael Fink, with assembly in Sindelfingen, Germany.

The equipment options become more luxurious with the size of the engine, with available trim levels including CLS350, CLS500, CLS350 Designo Edition, CLS55 AMG, and CLS63 AMG. 

CLS 350 acts as the base equipment package, and includes: Dual Front/Head/Side Airbags Package, ABS, Auto Climate Control with Dual-Temp Zones, 17-Inch Alloy Wheels, Brake Assist, Cruise Control, CD with 6-CD Stacker, Central Locking Remote Control, DVD Player, ESP, Front Fog Lights, Engine Immobiliser, Leather Upholstery, Multi-Function Steering Wheel, Metallic Paint, Parking Distance Control Rear, Power front seats with memory, Power Mirrors/Steering/Windows, Satellite Navigation, Seatbelt Pretensioners Front Seats, Sports Suspension, Trip Computer, Wood Grain Trim, Xenon Headlights 

CLS500 provides a step up, adding 18-inch alloy wheels, power sunroof, television, and air suspension.

CLS55 AMG and CLS63 AMG are the premium sports packages. They include: Alarm System/Remote Anti-Theft, 18-Inch Alloy Wheels, Body Kit, Heated Front Seats, Premium Brake Package, Power Sunroof, Sport Seats, Premium Sound System, and Television

CLS350 Designo Edition is a limited-edition trim level that adds heated front seats, multi-function steering wheel, and power sunroof. 

A facelift in 2008 brought visual updates to the CLS, including new mirrors, grille, bumpers, LED taillights, redesigned tailpipes, and new alloy wheel designs. On the interior, a new COMAND infotainment system is added to premium models, while non-COMAND models receive a 5-inch display. All models received a new, restyled three-spoke steering wheel.

Powertrain options available in Australia include:

• CLS350, 3.5L V6 petrol engine producing 200kW at 6000rpm and 350Nm of torque at 2400-5000rpm, capable of 0-100km/h acceleration in 7.0 seconds, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission. This model was retired in 2006 in favour of CLS350 CGI, which kept the CLS350 name.
• CLS350 (CGI), 3.5L V6 petrol engine producing 215kW at 6400rpm and 365Nm of torque at 3000-5100rpm, capable of 0-100km/h acceleration in 6.7 seconds, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission. 
• CLS500, 5.0L V8 petrol engine producing 225kW at 5600rpm and 460Nm of torque at 2700-4250rpm, capable of 0-100km/h acceleration in 6.1 seconds, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission. This model was upgraded to a 5.5L version from 2006.
• CLS55 AMG, 5.4L V8 supercharged petrol engine producing 350kW at 6100rpm and 700Nm of torque at 2650-4500rpm, capable of 0-100km/h acceleration in 4.7 seconds, paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission. This model was retired in 2006 in favour of CLS63 AMG.
• CLS63 AMG, 6.2L V8 petrol engine producing 378kW at 6800rpm and 630Nm of torque at 5200rpm, capable of 0-100km/h acceleration in 4.5 seconds, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission.

The Second Generation: W218 (2010-2018)

At the 2010 Paris Motor Show, the second-generation CLS was revealed as a 4-door sedan (codenamed C218) and 5-door estate (codenamed X218), which was marketed as CLS Shooting Brake. A shooting brake is a hybrid body style, merging the sporty coupe front with an estate rear, leading to a three-door estate combination. The CLS however, is a five-door estate, with a slanted and sporty-looking rear. The official sales of the sedan began in January of 2011, while the shooting brake began sales in June of 2018. Both models received AMG and 4Matic (four-wheel-drive) variants.

CLS350, CLS250 CDI BE Sedan, and CLS250 CDI BE Shooting Brake include basic equipment package with the following equipment: Dual Front/Head/Side Airbags Package, ABS, Auto Climate Control with Dual Temp Zones, 18-Inch Alloy Wheels, Brake Assist, Cruise Control, CD with 6-CD Stacker, Central Locking Remote Control, Dusk-Sensing Headlights, Digital Video Disc Player, ESP, Front Fog Lights, Hill Holder, Engine Immobiliser, Leather Steering Wheel/Upholstery, Multi-Function Steering Wheel, Metallic Paint, Power-Adjustable Steering Column, Parking Distance Control Rear, Power front seats with memory, Power Mirrors With Indicators & Folding, Power Steering/Windows, PreSafe, Satellite Navigation, Seatbelt Pretensioners Front Seats, Premium Sound System, Sports Suspension, Trip Computer, Television, Voice Recognition System, Wood Grain Trim, Xenon Headlights 

CLS350 BE, CLS350 CDI BE Sedan, and CLS350 CDI BE Shooting Brake trim levels add: Air Con + Climate Control Multi Zone, Comfort Seats Front, DRL - LED, EBD, Lane-Change/Lane-Departure Warning, LED Headlights, Mobile Phone Connectivity, Power front seats, Power Sunroof, Radio CD Player, Rain-Sensing Wipers, Reversing Camera, Traction Control System

CLS500 trim level adds: Air Suspension, Heated Front Seats, Power Sunroof, Rain-Sensing Wipers, Television, Ventilated Front Seats, Cruise Control Intelligent/Active, Comfort Seats Front, 19-inch wheels

CLS500 BE trim level adds: 

Air Con + Climate Control Multi-Zone, Alarm System/Remote Anti-Theft, 19-Inch Alloy Wheels, Cruise Control Intelligent/Active, Comfort Seats Front, DRL - LED, EBD, Heated Front Seats, Keyless Entry and Drive, Lane-Change/Lane-Departure Warning, LED Headlights, Mobile Phone Connectivity, Power Front Seats/Sunroof, Radio CD Player, Rain-Sensing Wipers, Reversing Camera, Traction Control System, Ventilated Front Seats

CLS63 AMG is the performance-oriented trim level and includes: Air Con + Climate Control Multi-Zone, Air Suspension, 19-Inch Alloy Wheels, Cruise Control Intelligent/Active, EBD, Heated Front Seats, Keyless Entry and Drive, Lane-Change/Lane-Departure Warning, LED Headlights, Mobile Phone Connectivity, Performance Brake Package, Power front seats, Power Mirrors/Sunroof, Radio CD Player, Rain-Sensing Wipers, Reversing Camera, Sport Seats, Performance Suspension, Traction Control System, Ventilated Front Seats

CLS63 AMG S Sedan and CLS63 AMG S Shooting Brake add: Alarm System/Remote Anti-Theft, Air Suspension, 19-Inch Alloy Wheels, Cruise Control Intelligent/Active, Heated Front Seats, Keyless Entry and Drive, Performance Brake Package, Sport Seats, Performance Suspension, Television, Ventilated Front Seats

Facelift expands the basic equipment, now included in CLS250d and CLS400 trim levels as well. It now includes: 

Dual Front/Head/Side Airbags Package, Airbag Knee Driver, ABS, Air-Con + Climate Control Multi-Zone, Ambient Interior Lighting, Antenna, Air Suspension, Adjustable Speed Limiter, Automatic Stop/Start, 19-Inch Alloy Wheels, Brake Assist, Brake-pad Wear Indicator, Cruise Control, Centre Console Box, Central Locking RC, Digital Audio Broadcast Radio, DRL - LED, Dusk-Sensing Headlights, EBD, Emergency Brake Lights, Exterior Mirrors – Auto-Dimming/Heated, ESP, First-Aid Kit, Front Footwell Lights, Glovebox Cooler, HDD (Built-in), Heated Front Seats, Hill Holder, Engine Immobiliser, Keyless Entry and Drive, Lane-Change/Lane-Departure Warning, LED Headlights, Leather Steering Wheel/Upholstery, Multi-Function Control Screen/Steering Wheel, Metallic Paint, One-Touch Convenience Turn Signal, Power-Adjustable Steering Column, Parking Distance Control Rear, Power front seats, PreSafe, Power Steering/Sunroof/Windows, Radio CD Player, Rain-Sensing Wipers, Reversing Camera, Rear View Mirror-Auto Dimming, Rear Window Demister, Satellite Navigation, Seatbelts - Height-Adjustable/Load Limiters/Pretensioners for Front Seats, Seatbelts - Lap/Sash/Reminder for All Seats, Side Impact Protection 

The facelift also included a redesigned front fascia, multi-beam LED headlights, new steering wheel, an 8-inch COMAND APS display, as well as renamed diesel engines, and introduction of CLS400 and CLS350d engine.

Powertrain options include a wide range of petrol and diesel engines. From 2014, all of the following models came with a 9-speed automatic transmission, except for the CLS400. Already produced 7-speed models would remain on the Australian market for a while after the update.

• CLS350 BlueEFFICIENCY, 3.5L V6 petrol engine producing 225kW at 6500rpm and 370Nm of torque at 3500-5250 rpm, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission 
• CLS400, 3.0L V6 petrol engine producing 245kW at 5250-6000rpm and 480Nm of torque at 1200-4000rpm, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission
• CLS500 BlueEFFICIENCY, 4.7L V8 twin-turbo petrol engine producing 300kW at 5000-5750rpm and 600Nm of torque at 600Nm of torque at 1600-4750rpm, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission
• CLS63 AMG, 5.5L V8 twin-turbo petrol engine producing 386kW at 5250-5750 and 700Nm of torque at 1700-5000rpm, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission, later upgraded to 410kW (550hp) and 720Nm of torque
• CLS63 AMG S, 5.5L twin-turbo petrol engine producing 430kW at 5500rpm and 800Nm of torque at 2000-4500rpm, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission 
• CLS250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, 2.1L Inline-Four twin-turbo petrol engine producing 150kW at 4200rpm and 500Nm of torque at 1600-1800rpm, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission. It was renamed to CLS250 CDI BlueTEC with the 2014 facelift
• CLS350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, 3.0L V6 turbocharged diesel engine producing 195kW at 3800rpm and 620Nm of torque at 1600-2400rpm, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission
• CLS350 BlueTEC, 3.0L V6 turbocharged diesel engine producing 190kW at 3400rpm and 620Nm of torque at 1600-2400rpm, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission

Third Generation: C257 (2018-present)

The current generation comes exclusively as a 4-door sedan-fastback and with all-wheel-drive 4MATIC. Due to the low demand and sales of the Shooting Brake model, the plans for the renewal were dropped. The engine range has been streamlined and now includes a mild-hybrid system with a 16kW (21hp) and 249Nm electric motor that also powers the 48-volt onboard system.

Base equipment includes: Attention Assist, Active Brake Assist, Dual Front/Knee-Driver/Window Airbags Package, Automatic Brake Hold, Air Body Control Suspension, ABS, Active Bonnet, Auto Climate Control - Dual Temp Zones/Filter, Active High-Beam Control, Active Distance Assist, Adaptive Brakes, Automatic Emergency Call (eCall), Auto/Intelligent Speed Limiter, Active Lane Keeping Assist, AMG Bodystyling/Interior, Active Park Assist, Air Suspension, Anti-Slip Regulation, Automatic Stop/Start, Android Auto, 20-Inch Alloy Wheels, Brake Assist, Brake Drying Function, Black Headliner, Blind Spot Assist, Brake-pad Wear Indicator, Center Console Storage, Centre Console Box, Child-Proof Rear Door/Window Locks, Crash Sensor, Crash Responsive Emergency Lighting, Cross-Traffic Recognition, Crosswind Assist, Digital Audio Broadcast Radio +, Digital Amplifier, Driver Assist Pack Plus, Direct Adaptive Steering, Dust and Pollen Filter, Dynamic Select, ECO Indicator/Mode, ESP, Evasive Steering Assist, First-Aid Kit, Google Services, Heated Seats - All, HDD (Built-in), Heated Rear Windshield, HUD, Engine Immobiliser, Infotainment Pack, Lockable Cooled Glovebox, Leather Steering Wheel/Upholstery, Multi-beam LED Headlights, MultiFunction Sports Steering Wheel, Maintenance Interval Indicator, Mercedes Me Connect, Navigation System, One-Touch Directional Indicators, Power-Adjustable Steering Column, Paddle Shifters on Steering Wheel

CLS350 adds additional options available on other models as well: Adjustable-Speed Limiter, Blind-Spot Monitoring, Configurable Ambient Interior Lighting, Cruise Control Intelligent/Active, Driver Fatigue Detection, Electric Parking Brake, Hill Holder, Hill Start Assist, Keyless Entry & Start, LED Headlights, Lane-Keeping Assist, Leather Trim, Multi-Function Control Screen, Multi-Function Steering Wheel, Metallic Paint, One-Touch Convenience Turn Signal, PreSafe, Power Windows One-Touch Operation, Roofliner, Run-Flat Safety Tyres, Rain-Sensing Wipers, Rear View Mirror Auto-Dimming, Side Airbags, Satellite Navigation, Surround Camera System, Split Fold Rear Seat, Panoramic Sunroof Sliding, Sound System with 13 Speakers, Speed-Sensitive Power Steering, Trip Computer, Tyre Pressure Loss Warning System, Traffic Sign Recognition 

CLS450 4MATIC adds all-wheel-drive and Air-Balance, alarm with interior movement sensor, and cabin air ionisation.

CLS450 4MATIC Edition S trim level adds on top of the standard CLS450 active multi-contour seats, alloy wheels special, and barn doors.

In Australia, available powertrain options include petrol-electric engines paired with 9-speed automatic transmission:

• CLS350, 2.0L Inline-Four turbocharged petrol engine producing 220kW at 5800-6100rpm and 400Nm of torque at 3000-4000rpm
• CLS450 4MATIC, 3.0L Inline-Six turbocharged petrol engine producing 320kW at 6100rpm and 770Nm of torque at 1800-2500rpm 

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Author: Luka Kusic