The Mercedes-Benz CLS Class has long been synonymous with groundbreaking design and sophisticated performance. The arrival of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS Class marks the dawn of a new era, pushing the boundaries of automotive aesthetics and technological innovation. This third-generation model builds upon the iconic legacy of its predecessors while carving its own distinct path, solidifying its position as the archetype of the four-door coupe.
In 2003, Mercedes-Benz pioneered a new vehicle segment with the CLS, seamlessly blending the elegance and dynamism of a coupe with the practicality of a sedan. The 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS Class takes this pioneering spirit to new heights. It retains the quintessential CLS genes – the sweeping waistline, the sleek side window contours, and the low-slung greenhouse – all hallmarks of its distinguished lineage. However, it also represents a significant leap forward in Mercedes-Benz’s Sensual Purity design philosophy. Sharp lines and pronounced edges are deliberately minimized, resulting in a fluid, organic form that resonates with emotional appeal. The 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS Class effortlessly integrates into the contemporary Mercedes-Benz coupe family, showcasing a harmonious design language while maintaining its unique identity.
Alt text: Front view of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS Class showcasing its distinctive diamond grille and sleek LED headlights.
Under the hood, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS Class introduces a revolutionary powertrain. The CLS 450 and CLS 450 4MATIC models are powered by a brand-new in-line six-cylinder engine, delivering an impressive 362 horsepower. Furthermore, an integrated starter-generator provides an additional 21 horsepower boost, enhancing both performance and efficiency. This innovative engine exemplifies Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to pushing technological boundaries while delivering exhilarating driving dynamics.
Beyond its sporty prowess, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS Class also prioritizes passenger comfort and well-being. Features like the AIR BODY CONTROL suspension, ENERGIZING Comfort system, and the cutting-edge infotainment system with Inductive Wireless Phone Charging and NFC pairing, all contribute to a serene and connected driving experience. The 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS Class seamlessly blends athleticism with luxurious comfort, catering to the discerning driver who demands both.
The standard equipment list for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS Class is exceptionally comprehensive, reflecting its premium positioning. Highlights include sporty AMG body styling, newly designed LED headlamps and taillamps, substantial 19-inch light-alloy wheels, a high-resolution 12.3-inch COMAND® display, ambient lighting with illuminated air vents, Car-to-X Communication, and Smartphone Integration. These features underscore the commitment of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS Class to providing a sophisticated and technologically advanced driving environment right from the base model.
Exterior Design: A Synthesis of Sportiness and Coupe Elegance
Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer Daimler AG, aptly describes the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS Class as “a design icon as the archetype of the four-door coupe.” He emphasizes the design philosophy of “hot & cool,” where the essence of the CLS DNA is distilled to a puristic level, emotionally charging its inherent beauty.
The front end of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS Class is immediately striking, dominated by the signature diamond grille, a hallmark of Mercedes-Benz coupes, featuring a single louver. The grille’s silhouette broadens towards its base, mirroring the design language of the Mercedes-AMG GT, lending a powerful and assertive stance. The hood seamlessly integrates into the bodywork, creating a smooth and uninterrupted surface. The exceptionally flat and wide headlamps, canted inward, dynamically trace the grille’s contours, enhancing the vehicle’s sleek and purposeful appearance.
Alt text: Elegant side profile of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS Class highlighting its arching waistline and frameless windows.
The side profile of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS Class is defined by its high, arching waistline and the sporty, low greenhouse, complemented by frameless side windows. The forward-leaning front section, reminiscent of a shark’s nose, and the fully inset hood contribute to a sense of elongated elegance. The design ethos of sensual purity is evident in the reduced lines and edges, and the generously curved surfaces that catch and play with light.
The muscular rear shoulder line seamlessly flows into the flat rear end, another defining characteristic of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS Class. Coupe design cues are further emphasized by the two-section taillamps, reflectors integrated into the rear bumper, the license plate recess in the bumper, and the iconic Mercedes star positioned centrally on the trunk lid.
Mirroring the headlamps, the LED taillamps of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS Class exhibit a crystalline aesthetic, creating a captivating three-dimensional effect. Their low positioning visually widens the vehicle, reinforcing its athletic stance.
Interior Design: Widescreen Digital Cockpit and Harmonious Color Schemes
The opulent interior of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS Class immediately captivates with its uncluttered design and flowing lines, echoing the sensual contours of the exterior. The meticulous selection of premium materials and the exceptional level of craftsmanship are immediately apparent.
The sporty, width-emphasizing cockpit and carefully curated color combinations create an ambiance of expansive spaciousness within the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS Class. The wave-like flow of the interior design seamlessly transitions from the front to the rear doors, visually expanding the space at the B-pillars. Illuminated air vents, a novel highlight of the ambient lighting system, evoke the turbine engines of jet aircraft, adding a touch of futuristic sophistication. The hand-finished appearance of the seats further reinforces the vehicle’s sporty yet luxurious character.
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS Class comes standard with a high-resolution 12.3-inch central display. Optionally, dual 12.3-inch displays can be specified, merging seamlessly beneath a shared glass cover to form a widescreen cockpit. The center console, available in open-pore or high-gloss wood trim, appears to float, enhancing the sense of spaciousness and modern design.
Alt text: Interior view of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS Class showcasing the widescreen digital instrument cluster and luxurious cabin.
In the fully digital cockpit, drivers can personalize the information displayed according to their preferences and driving situation. Three distinct display styles – Classic, Sport, and Progressive – offer customization to match individual tastes, moods, or interior appointments.
The ambient lighting system offers a spectrum of 64 individually adjustable colors, extending to the air vents. A clever feature links the ambient lighting to the climate control system; briefly changing color to red or blue when the temperature is adjusted warmer or cooler, respectively.
The seats, exclusively designed for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS Class, feature high-quality piping and a distinctive aesthetic. The rear outer seats mirror the design of the front seats, creating a sporty, individual seat impression, even though the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS Class is now a five-seater for the first time. The rear seat backrests can be conveniently folded in a 40/20/40 split, enhancing cargo versatility.
ENERGIZING Comfort: Wellness for Long Journeys
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS Class elevates passenger well-being with the ENERGIZING Comfort system. This innovative feature harmonizes various comfort systems within the vehicle, including climate control (with fragrancing), seats (heating, ventilation, massage), surface and steering wheel heating, ambient lighting, and musical atmospheres. ENERGIZING Comfort allows drivers to select pre-set wellness programs tailored to their mood and needs, promoting enhanced well-being and optimized performance levels.
Six distinct programs are available: Refresh/Freshness, Warmth, Vitality, Joy, Comfort/Well-Being, and Training (offering three training modes: muscle relaxation, muscle activation, and balance, each with specific exercises).
Intelligent Drive: S-Class Technology in the CLS
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS Class shares significant technological advancements with the flagship Mercedes-Benz S-Class. It incorporates the latest generation of driving assistance systems, including route-based speed adaptation and comprehensive driver support via the Driver Assistance Package.
The suite of driver assistance and safety systems is modular and includes standard features like Active Brake Assist, ATTENTION ASSIST, and the PRE-SAFE® occupant protection system. PRE-SAFE® Sound, a new standard feature, prepares occupants’ hearing for potential accident noise when a collision risk is detected.
The optional Driver Assistance Package further enhances safety and convenience with features such as Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, Active Steering Assist, Active Speed Limit Assist, Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function, Evasive Steering Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, PRE-SAFE® PLUS, and PRE-SAFE® Impulse Side. Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC and Active Steering Assist provide even more refined support for maintaining safe distances and steering, with automatic speed adjustment ahead of bends and junctions. Active Lane Change Assist has also been significantly improved.
Enhanced camera and radar systems provide the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS Class with a superior awareness of its surroundings. For the first time, map and navigation data are utilized to anticipate driving behavior and optimize system responses.
The “Assistance Graphics” menu in the instrument cluster provides a clear overview of selected assistance functions and their current operational status. Intuitive icons convey information on-screen and in the head-up display, and all functions are now conveniently controlled via the steering wheel.
In stop & go traffic on highways and similar roads, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS Class can now automatically restart and follow traffic after stops of up to 3 seconds.
The optional LED Intelligent Light System now offers advanced LED headlamps and Ultra Wide Beam high beams. Ultra Wide Beams significantly broaden the illuminated area, maximizing road and roadside visibility. Adaptive Highbeam Assist, also part of the LED Intelligent Light System, allows drivers to utilize main beams continuously without dazzling other road users by selectively dimming LEDs in response to oncoming or preceding vehicles.
Suspension: Comfort and Dynamism
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS Class features a sophisticated suspension system comprising a four-link front suspension and a five-link rear suspension. A dynamically tuned steel comfort suspension is standard. The optionally available AIR BODY CONTROL air suspension, with improved adjustable and adaptive damping, allows drivers to tailor the vehicle’s characteristics from comfortable to sporty via the driving mode selector.
New Engine: EQ Boost and 48-Volt Technology
The third generation 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS Class debuts with a completely new in-line six-cylinder engine.
The CLS 450 and CLS 450 4MATIC models are powered by this new, systematically electrified in-line six-cylinder engine featuring EQ Boost (integrated starter/generator) and a 48-volt onboard electrical system. This powertrain delivers 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, with an additional 21 horsepower and substantial torque available via EQ Boost for short bursts. The integrated electric motor acts as an EQ Boost, assisting the combustion engine during acceleration, enabling engine-off “sailing,” and recuperating energy to charge the battery. This technology yields fuel savings previously exclusive to high-voltage hybrid systems. The new in-line six-cylinder engine achieves the performance of a V8 engine with significantly reduced fuel consumption. The CLS 450 is equipped with a particulate filter as standard.
| CLS450 / CLS450 4MATIC | |
|---|---|
| Number of cylinders/ arrangement | 6/in-line |
| Displacement (cc) | 2,999 |
| Rated output (hp) | 362 hp @ 5,500 – 6,100 rpm |
| Add. output from EQ Boost (hp) | 21 hp |
| Rated torque (lb-ft) | 369 lb-ft @ 1,600 – 4,000 rpm |
| Acceleration 0-60 mph (sec) | 5.1 / 4.8 |
Edition 1: An Exclusive Launch Model
The exclusivity of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS Class is further amplified by the Edition 1 launch model. This special edition boasts numerous luxurious standard features, including the COPPER ART interior concept with black pearl nappa leather seats featuring diamond-design center sections and copper-colored accents. Copper-colored contrasting topstitching adorns the center console, seats, armrests, dashboard, and door linings. A unique diamond grille with matt chrome pins and a copper-colored shimmer on the louver further distinguishes the Edition 1.
The exterior of the Edition 1 is based on the AMG Line, featuring standard LED Intelligent Light headlamps and 19-inch multi-spoke AMG light-alloy wheels finished in black with a high-sheen rim flange. “Edition 1” lettering on the front fenders clearly identifies this special model.
Interior highlights of the Edition 1 include:
- Dashboard support lined in black nappa leather
- Center console and dashboard trim in Natural grain black ash wood with matching center console
- IWC analogue clock with exclusive dial face
- Vehicle key in high-gloss black with high-sheen chrome surround
- Floor mats with “Edition 1” badge and copper-colored piping
- Chrome “Edition 1” lettering on the center console and “Edition 1” display on the welcome screen.
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS Class represents a significant evolution in the four-door coupe segment. With its breathtaking design, innovative technology, and refined performance, it reasserts its position as a leader in automotive luxury and innovation. The 2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS Class is not just a car; it’s a statement.
