Sporty derivative of the E-Class gets the same swoopy profile and a range of new inline-four and six engines.
That banana shape has become a signature…
Mercedes-Benz is using this week’s 2017 Los Angeles auto show to premiere the third-generation CLS which comes with the same swoopy profile used in both of its predecessors.
New design cues for the brand include those angular head and tail lights, big and upright front grille and vents in the bumpers.
As the CLS is based on the current E-class, the interior is very familiar by sharing the same 12.3-inch widescreen and the chunky seats. Seen here is the sporty AMG trim, although there’s also the classier version with cream colour. Both specs have pronounced ambience lighting.
For the first time, the rear bench in the CLS takes three persons with each of the perches capable of folding down individually for increased cargo space.
The CLS is a four-door saloon with frameless windows like the Audi A7 Sportback and BMW 6-series Gran Turismo. But the CLS is different from its fastback rivals by having a traditional boot like in normal saloons.
Does it get the much-rumoured hybrid engine?
Kind of. Sitting on top of the range initially is the CLS450 with mild hybrid tech in the form of the 48V system. The new 3.0-litre inline-six petrol engine produces 367hp and another 22hp from the so-called EQ Boost setup.
The 0-100kph acceleration record is timed at a respectable 4.8sec, while average fuel consumption is rated at 13.3kpl.
The other two six-pot engines are diesels including CLS350d and CLS400d. Both get 3.0-litre motors producing 286hp and 340hp respectively. And like the CLS450, both oil-burning models get 4Matic all-wheel-drive.
Later next year, expect four-cylinder power to come to the CLS to help lower its price point. And likely to come further up the range is the Mercedes-AMG CLS53 boasting a hybrid setup with more than 400hp.
Which engine variant will be sold in Thailand?
When the CLS is launched in Thailand in the first quarter of next year, there’s the likelihood that Mercedes will square up the challenge with the 630d with the CLS350d at just under five million baht.
But if Mercedes decides to go flat out with sales, it could opt for the pending 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine to help bring the price below 4.5 million baht. Recent changes in excise taxation include the 5% reduction in all CO2 tax brackets for passenger cars.
This means that a sub-150g/km CLS would face 25%, as opposed to the 30% rate applied on the second-gen model featuring 2.1-litre diesel-turbo priced at 5 million baht.
And just for your information: we hear that the stylish CLS Shooting Brake will be discontinued due to low demand, as well as the CLS63 hot rod to make way for a GT-based four-door from AMG next year.
