Mercedes-Benz CLS

The Mercedes-Benz CLS (initially called the CLS-Class) is a series of executive cars produced by Mercedes-Benz from 2004 to it’s end in August 2023.

Mercedes-Benz CLS
Overview
Manufacturer
Production2004–2023
Body and chassis
ClassExecutive car (E)
Body style
Layout

The original model was a four-door sedan based on the Mercedes E-Class platform, marketed as a four door coupé.[1] An estate (shooting brake) model was later added to the model range with the second generation CLS.[2] All models are available as a high performance AMG variant, although it wasn't until the second generation CLS that 4MATIC all-wheel drive was offered.[3]

The CLS range is positioned between the E-Class and the S-Class within the Mercedes model range,[4][5] and models tend to be less practical than the E-Class it is based on.[6] It primarily competes with other fastback sedans like the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe, Porsche Panamera and Audi A7.Mercedes-Benz announced that production of the CLS will end on 31 August 2023 to get ready for the launch of the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W214).

First generation (C219; 2004)
Main article: Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class (C219)
C219 CLS

Marketed from Mercedes as a four-door coupé, the CLS was designed by Michael Fink in 2001[7] who also styled the first generation CLK, the C-SportCoupé, and Maybach 57 and 62.[8] In Europe, the CLS is recognized as a four-seat coupé and justly named the C219, while in the US, it is commonly referred to as the W219.[9] The C219 CLS is based on the W211 E-Class platform, and shares major components including the engines, transmissions, and has an identical wheelbase of 2,854 mm (112 in).[10] IVM Automotive, a subsidiary of German roof system specialist Edscha, developed the entire vehicle from the Vision CLS concept on which the CLS is based,[11] to the production version which debuted at the 2004 New York International Auto Show.[12]

Second generation (C218; 2010)
C218 CLS
Main article: Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class (C218)

The C218 CLS is the second generation model, and was sold from 2011 to 2018.[13] The body styles of the range are a 4-door coupé (C218 model code for Europe/ W218 for US market), and a 5-door estate (X218 model code, marketed as 'Shooting Brake'). The design of the CLS was based on the Mercedes F800 concept and featured design cues from other models including the Mercedes SLS AMG.[14] Unlike its predecessor, the C218 CLS is available with all-wheel drive and can be optionally configured on CLS 63 AMG models as well.[15] In 2014, the CLS underwent a facelift and featured design changes, engine enhancements, and the adoption of the Mercedes 9G-Tronic automatic transmission.[16]

Third generation (C257; 2018)
Main article: Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class (C257)
C257 CLS

The C257 CLS is the third model and was previously available only as a four-door coupe and in rear-wheel or all-wheel drive (4MATIC) configuration.[17] The Shooting Brake body style was in development for the C257 CLS, but was shortly discontinued due to poor and declining demand overseas for the last generation model.[18] The range of engines consist of a 2.9-litre straight six turbocharged diesel engine and a 3.0-litre straight six turbocharged petrol engine.[19] The latter equips the CLS 53 AMG with features such as a mild hybrid system and an Panamericana radiator grille, which pays tribute to 300 SL model.[20] The CLS is also now a five-seater car, instead of being a four-seater as with the previous two generations.[21]

Sales
YearEurope[22]U.S.[23]
20045,543
200520,147 14,835
200620,262 10,763
200717,098 7,906
200812,224 5,775
20096,083 2,527
20103,975 2,135
201117,414 5,665
201212,7978,065
2013 15,139 8,032
2014 10,289 6,981
2015 12,600 6,152
2016 7,803 4,156
2017 5,116 1,839
2018 9,113 943
2019 8,428 941
2020 3,895 1,206

References
  1. "2010 Mercedes Benz CLS - Mercedes Benz Luxury Four Door Coupe - Automobile Magazine". Automobile Magazine. 2008-09-11. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
  2. "2015 Mercedes CLS63 AMG Review @ Top Speed". Top Speed. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
  3. "2015 Mercedes CLS63 AMG Review @ Top Speed". Top Speed. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
  4. "Mercedes-Benz classes slot".
  5. "2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class | Pricing, Ratings & Reviews | Kelley Blue Book". Kbb.com. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
  6. Limited, Listers Group. "'MERC'S CURVE BALL' - Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class (2005-2010) Range Independent Used Review (Ref:806/208525)". listers.co.uk. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
  7. Meiners, Jens (January 2009). "2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 Grand Edition". Car and Driver. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
  8. "Design Icons: Revisiting the Trend-Setting Mercedes-Benz CLS (2004)". Form Trends. 2017-06-27. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  9. Sokolovski, Marko (2023-03-16). "2004-2010 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class: Prices, Specs, And Features". Retrieved 2023-08-29.
  10. "Tests - Erlkönige - Autokauf - Formel 1". 4 May 2021.
  11. "Suppliers to the new Mercedes-Benz CLS class". Automotive News. 2005-01-10. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  12. "2004 New York Auto Show". 2004-04-02. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  13. "Depreciation Appreciation: 2011-2017 Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG (C218)". autoTRADER.ca. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
  14. "Geneva Preview: Mercedes-Benz F800 Style a sneak peek at next CLS-Class". Autoblog. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
  15. "2015 Mercedes CLS63 AMG Review @ Top Speed". Top Speed. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
  16. "Mercedes CLS facelift (2014) first official pics". CAR Magazine. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
  17. "Should Mercedes make a new CLS Shooting Brake?". Top Gear. 2017-12-05. Retrieved 2018-06-01.
  18. "Mercedes-Benz kills the Shooting Brake for 2018 Mk3 CLS". CAR Magazine. Retrieved 2018-06-01.
  19. Bartosiak, Dave. "Mercedes Give Details on the New Third-Gen CLS-Class". The Drive. Retrieved 2018-06-01.
  20. "Genuine Mercedes-AMG radiator grille". mercteil.com. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  21. "2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS First Look: Now a Five-Seater". MotorTrend. 2017-11-29. Archived from the original on 2018-06-06. Retrieved 2018-06-01.
  22. "Mercedes-Benz CLS European sales figures". carsalesbase.com. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
  23. "Mercedes-Benz CLS US car sales figures". carsalesbase.com. 2015-11-08. Retrieved 2021-03-28.

Bibliography
  • Hofner, Heribert (2010). Mercedes-Benz Typenkunde [Mercedes-Benz Type Study] (in German). Vol. Band 2. Modelle der Mittelklasse ab 1984, E-Klasse und CLS-Klasse [Volume 2. The mid-range models from 1984, E-Class and CLS-Class]. Bielefeld, Germany: Delius Klasing. ISBN 978-3768832267. OCLC 693875686.
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