Mercedes-Benz redefined automotive elegance and dynamism with the introduction of the CLS in 2003, forging a novel segment that seamlessly blended coupe aesthetics with sedan practicality. The 2019 Mercedes CLS, representing the third generation, amplifies this pioneering spirit, embodying the iconic CLS lineage while pushing the boundaries of design and technology. This all-new four-door coupe not only retains the soul of its predecessors but also elevates the driving experience with cutting-edge innovations and enhanced comfort, making it a true masterpiece of automotive engineering.
The 2019 Mercedes CLS emerges as a design vanguard, spearheading Mercedes-Benz’s evolved design language characterized by sleek contours and minimalist lines. Its assertive stance is accentuated by a grille that expands towards the base and a boldly forward-leaning front fascia. The design is further distinguished by wide, low-profile headlights and distinctive two-section taillamps. This iteration pays homage to the timeless allure of the original CLS, an archetype that not only inaugurated a new vehicle category but also swiftly ascended to design icon status. Beyond its captivating aesthetics, the 2019 CLS marks a technological leap, debuting a new inline six-cylinder engine and pioneering 48-volt technology with an Integrated Starter-Generator (ISG), enhancing both efficiency and driving refinement. Staying true to its heritage, the new CLS exudes self-assured sportiness, delivering exceptional long-distance comfort and acoustic tranquility, seamlessly integrated with thrilling, state-of-the-art technology. A notable evolution is the expansion to a five-passenger capacity, making the all-new four-door coupe more versatile than ever before. The world premiere of the 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS took place at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show in November, heralding its arrival in the U.S. market in late 2018.
Building upon the legacy of its predecessors, the 2019 CLS reinforces its unique identity and trendsetting nature. It proudly carries the quintessential CLS genes – the gracefully arching waistline, the sleek, flat side window lines, and the low greenhouse. The design philosophy represents a refined progression of Sensual Purity, where sharp edges and superfluous lines are consciously minimized, resulting in a fluid and harmonious form. The 2019 CLS seamlessly integrates into the contemporary Mercedes-Benz coupe family, sharing design cues while maintaining its distinct character.
Under the hood, the CLS450 and CLS450 4MATIC models boast a revolutionary in-line six-cylinder engine, delivering a robust 362 horsepower, augmented by an additional 21 horsepower boost from the innovative integrated starter-generator. This electrification not only enhances performance but also contributes to improved fuel efficiency and a smoother driving experience.
The sporty character of the 2019 CLS is perfectly balanced with luxurious comfort. The AIR BODY CONTROL suspension ensures a refined ride, while ENERGIZING Comfort programs and the latest generation infotainment system, complete with Inductive Wireless Phone Charging with NFC pairing, elevate passenger well-being and connectivity. The standard equipment level is exceptionally comprehensive, featuring AMG body styling, newly designed LED headlamps and taillamps, striking 19-inch light-alloy wheels, a high-resolution 12.3-inch COMAND® display, ambient lighting including illuminated air vents, Car-to-X Communication, and Smartphone Integration, setting a new benchmark for standard features in its class.
Exterior Design: A Synthesis of Sportiness and Coupe Elegance
Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer Daimler AG, encapsulates the design philosophy: “The new CLS is a design icon as the archetype of the four-door coupe. In line with our hot & cool design philosophy, we have reduced its DNA to an extremely puristic level while emotionally charging its beauty.”
The front end immediately captures attention with the diamond grille, a hallmark of Mercedes-Benz coupes, featuring a single louver. The grille’s silhouette broadens towards the base, echoing the design language of the Mercedes-AMG GT, lending a powerful and dynamic presence. The hood seamlessly integrates with the body surfaces, creating a smooth, sculpted appearance. The strikingly flat and wide headlamps, angled inward, dynamically trace the grille’s contours, further emphasizing the vehicle’s width and assertive stance.
The side profile is defined by the high, arching waistline and the sporty, low greenhouse, framed by frameless side windows, reinforcing the coupe silhouette. The forward-slanting front end, reminiscent of a shark’s nose, and the fully inset hood contribute to an elongated and dynamic visual impression. True to the Sensual Purity design philosophy, lines and edges are significantly reduced, with generously arched surfaces creating a sense of fluidity and motion.
The muscular rear shoulder line, a signature CLS element, gracefully merges into the flat rear end. Characteristic coupe features include 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 exhibit a crystalline aesthetic and generate a three-dimensional effect, enhancing visual depth. Their low placement visually widens the vehicle, underscoring its sporty and planted stance.
Interior Design: A Harmonious Blend of Luxury and Digital Innovation
The interior of the 2019 CLS Coupe exudes luxuriousness with its clean, fundamental lines, echoing the fluid contours of the exterior. The meticulous selection of high-grade materials and the exceptional level of craftsmanship are immediately apparent.
The sporty, width-emphasizing cockpit and carefully curated color combinations create an atmosphere of expansive spaciousness. The wave-like flow of the interior design seamlessly extends from the front to the rear doors, visually opening up the space at the B-pillars, creating a welcoming and airy ambiance. A novel highlight of the ambient lighting is the illuminated air vents, ingeniously designed to evoke the turbines of a jet aircraft, adding a touch of sophisticated dynamism. The sporty character is further enhanced by the hand-finished appearance of the seats, showcasing meticulous attention to detail.
The CLS450 features a high-resolution central display with a generous 12.3-inch widescreen diagonal. Optionally, two 12.3-inch displays can be specified, merging seamlessly to form a widescreen cockpit beneath a shared, continuous glass cover, creating a visually stunning and technologically advanced interface. The center console, available in open-pored or high-gloss wood trim, appears to float elegantly, further enhancing the sense of spaciousness and modern luxury.
In the fully digital cockpit, drivers can personalize the information content according to their preferences and driving situation. Three distinct display styles – Classic, Sport, and Progressive – can be selected, allowing customization to match individual moods or interior appointments. The ambient lighting system offers individual adjustability across 64 colors, extending to the air vents, allowing for a truly personalized and immersive interior atmosphere. Intelligently integrated, the ambient lighting subtly changes color in the air vents to indicate temperature adjustments – red for warmer, blue for cooler – providing intuitive feedback.
The seats, exclusively designed for the 2019 CLS series, feature high-quality piping and offer exceptional comfort and support. The outer rear seats mirror the design of the front seats, creating a sporty individual-seat impression, despite the CLS Coupe now accommodating five passengers for the first time. For enhanced versatility, the rear seat backrests can be folded down in a 40/20/40 split, expanding cargo capacity as needed.
ENERGIZING Comfort: Elevating Well-being on Every Journey
ENERGIZING Comfort represents a holistic approach to in-car wellness, seamlessly integrating various comfort systems within the vehicle. It intelligently utilizes the climate control system (including fragrance diffusion), seat functions (heating, ventilation, massage), surface and steering wheel heating, as well as ambient lighting and musical atmospheres to create tailored wellness setups. These programs are designed to harmonize with the customer’s mood and needs, ultimately enhancing well-being and driving performance.
Six distinct ENERGIZING Comfort programs are available:
- Refresh / Freshness: Designed to invigorate and combat driver fatigue.
- Warmth: Creates a cozy and comforting environment, ideal for colder climates.
- Vitality: Activates and mobilizes, promoting a sense of energy and alertness.
- Joy: Uplifts the mood and fosters a positive driving experience.
- Comfort / Well-Being: Promotes relaxation and reduces stress, ideal for long journeys.
- Training: Offers three training modes – muscle relaxation, muscle activation, and balance – each incorporating several in-seat exercises to promote physical well-being during drives.
Intelligent Drive: S-Class Inspired Technology for Enhanced Safety and Assistance
The 2019 CLS generation shares significant technological advancements with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the flagship of the automotive industry. Equipped with the latest generation of driving assistance systems, the CLS offers route-based speed adaptation and comprehensive driver support through the Driver Assistance Package.
The suite of driver assistance and safety systems is modularly designed and includes Active Brake Assist, ATTENTION ASSIST, and the PRE-SAFE® occupant protection system as standard. A newly standard feature is PRE-SAFE® Sound, which proactively prepares human hearing for the anticipated noise of an accident when a collision risk is detected, mitigating potential hearing discomfort.
The optional Driver Assistance Package significantly expands the assistance capabilities, encompassing 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 offer enhanced support for maintaining safe distances and steering inputs, further reducing driver workload. Notably, speed adjustment is now automated in anticipation of bends or junctions, proactively adapting to road conditions. Active Lane Change Assist has also been substantially refined, offering more intuitive and reliable lane changing assistance.
Leveraging improved camera and radar systems, the 2019 CLS gains an even more comprehensive awareness of its surrounding traffic environment. For the first time, map and navigation data are integrated into the system’s calculations to anticipate driving behavior, further enhancing the intelligence and proactiveness of the assistance features.
The “Assistance Graphics” menu within the instrument cluster provides drivers with an at-a-glance overview of selected assistance functions and their current operational status. Clear and unmistakable icons convey system information on-screen and in the head-up display, ensuring intuitive understanding. All assistance functions are now conveniently controlled via the steering wheel, centralizing command and minimizing driver distraction.
In stop & go traffic on motorways and similar roads, the system now allows for extended stops of up to 3 seconds, during which the CLS will automatically resume movement and follow the flow of traffic once it restarts, enhancing convenience and reducing driver fatigue in congested conditions.
The LED Intelligent Light System, optionally available, features advanced LED headlamps and Ultra Wide Beam high beams. The Ultra Wide Beams generate a wider distribution of light, maximizing illumination of the road and surrounding areas, significantly enhancing visibility for the driver. Adaptive Highbeam Assist, integrated within the LED Intelligent Light System, enables drivers to utilize main beams continuously without dazzling other road users. When oncoming vehicles or vehicles ahead are detected, individual LEDs within the high beam modules are selectively deactivated, precisely shaping the light beam to avoid glare while maintaining optimal illumination of other areas of the road.
Suspension and Dynamics: Balancing Comfort and Agility
The 2019 CLS features a sophisticated suspension system, incorporating a four-link front suspension and a five-link rear suspension. A dynamically tuned steel comfort suspension is standard equipment, providing a refined balance of ride comfort and handling responsiveness. The optionally available AIR BODY CONTROL air suspension system has been further enhanced with improved adjustable and adaptive damping. This system allows drivers to tailor the vehicle’s characteristics, ranging from comfortable cruising to sporty driving dynamics, using the driving mode selector, adapting the suspension to their preferences and road conditions.
New Engine Technology: Electrified Performance with EQ Boost
The third generation Mercedes-Benz CLS is powered by a completely new in-line six-cylinder engine, representing a significant advancement in powertrain technology.
The new, systematically electrified in-line six-cylinder engine, featuring EQ Boost (integrated starter/generator) and a 48-volt onboard electrical system, powers the CLS450 and CLS450 4MATIC models. This advanced powertrain delivers 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, with an additional 21 horsepower and substantial torque available on demand via EQ Boost for short bursts of acceleration. The integrated electric motor, known as EQ Boost, actively assists the combustion engine, particularly during acceleration, enables fuel-saving “sailing” (engine-off coasting), and efficiently recuperates energy to recharge the battery. This innovative system achieves fuel economy levels previously exclusive to high-voltage hybrid technology, while delivering the performance of a larger eight-cylinder engine with significantly reduced fuel consumption. The CLS450 is equipped with a particulate filter as standard, further minimizing emissions.
| 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 Exquisitely Exclusive Launch Edition
The already exceptional exclusivity of the CLS is further elevated with the Edition 1 model. This launch edition boasts a wealth of luxurious standard features, including the COPPER ART interior concept. This design theme features seats upholstered in black pearl nappa leather with diamond-patterned center sections and striking copper-colored accents. Copper-colored contrasting topstitching adorns the center console, seats, armrests, dashboard, and door linings, creating a cohesive and opulent interior ambiance. A unique diamond grille with matt chrome pins and a copper-colored shimmer on the louver further distinguishes the Edition 1 exterior.
The exterior design is based on the AMG Line, adding sporty visual enhancements. Special features include standard LED Intelligent Light headlamps and 19-inch multi-spoke AMG light-alloy wheels finished in black with a high-sheen rim flange, further accentuating the Edition 1’s exclusive appeal. “Edition 1” lettering on the front fenders clearly identifies this special model.
Key interior highlights of the Edition 1 include:
- Dashboard upper section trimmed in black nappa leather, enhancing the luxurious feel of the cockpit.
- Center console and dashboard trim in Natural grain black ash wood with a matching center console finish, adding natural elegance.
- An exclusive IWC analogue clock with a uniquely designed dial face, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship.
- A vehicle key in high-gloss black with a high-sheen chrome surround, adding a premium touch to even the smallest details.
- Floor mats featuring an “Edition 1” badge and copper-colored piping, complementing the interior theme.
- Chrome “Edition 1” lettering on the center console and a distinctive “Edition 1” display on the welcome screen, further emphasizing the model’s exclusivity.
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS stands as a testament to Mercedes-Benz’s unwavering commitment to innovation, luxury, and design excellence. It redefines the four-door coupe segment, offering a compelling blend of sporty performance, sophisticated comfort, and cutting-edge technology, solidifying its position as a true icon of automotive artistry.
