Mercedes-Coupé is both a touring sedan and station wagon

Ten years since the CLS's market launch and two years after the Shooting Brake, Mercedes-Benz has now refreshed the models. Maximum comfort and responsive drivetrains are just two of the series' appeal.

Sedan? Or coupe? Or a station wagon? Perhaps even a station wagon-coupe or a coupe-sedan? The Mercedes-Benz CLS is a real eye-catcher, combining the characteristics of various models, both in its conventional form and as a shooting brake. Of course, the CLS is first and foremost a coupe that couldn't be more coupe: low, long, and extremely sporty. But its existence isn't limited to this body style, because with its four doors, the astonishingly spacious interior, and the resulting extremely comfortable touring capability, it's a large portion of a sedan—or station wagon, if you look at the shooting brake and its very station wagon-like shape.

Ten years after the CLS was launched and two years after the Shooting Brake, the manufacturer has now updated the models. Among other things, the designers have "Overall, the design of the latest generation of the CLS Coupé and the CLS Shooting Brake is even more dynamic. This is achieved by a new, expressive diamond grille, a striking front bumper with large air intakes, Multibeam LED headlights and new, slightly darkened rear lights with multi-level function," describes Mercedes-Benz.

Current lighting technologies

Speaking of headlights and lighting in general: Both models are now equipped with full-LED headlights as standard. Alternatively, both vehicle types can be optionally equipped with the new Multibeam LED headlights developed by Mercedes-Benz in a new design. Multibeam LED technology combines the best of current lighting technologies and adapts the light distribution quickly and automatically to virtually any traffic situation. This means that the technology always provides unprecedented wide, high-resolution, precise, and bright illumination of the road and the edge of the road, without dazzling other drivers.

The interior and comfort features meet the highest standards. Among other things, an eight-inch screen provides the best information on board this high-tech luxury sedan/station wagon/coupe, and the latest assistants ensure a high level of safety.

V6 petrol engine with exhaust turbocharging

All five engines comply with the Euro 6 standard. New to this class is the CLS 220 BlueTEC, featuring a four-cylinder diesel engine with fourth-generation common-rail direct injection, two-stage turbocharging, and BlueTEC technology. It produces 170 hp and offers a maximum torque of 400 Newton meters. In the CLS 250 BlueTEC, the four-cylinder diesel delivers 204 hp and 500 Newton meters of torque. The V6 diesel in the CLS 350 BlueTEC exceeds these figures with 258 hp and 620 Newton meters of torque.

Also new: the V6 petrol engine with exhaust turbocharging in the CLS 400 with a displacement of three and a half liters, 333 hp and twin-turbo drive. Its torque increases by 110 Newton meters to 480 Newton meters and is available across a wide engine speed range from 1200 to 4000 rpm. The CLS 500 represents the peak of performance with 408 hp and up to 600 Newton meters of torque. Furthermore, four models will be offered with permanent all-wheel drive instead of the previous two. Newcomers are the CLS 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC and the CLS 400 4MATIC.

AMG version

The AMG version of the updated class is a monstrous missile. The AMG 5,5-liter V8 biturbo engine delivers 557 hp (or 585 hp with 4Matic) and 720 to 800 Newton meters of torque. All CLS 63 AMG models already meet the second stage of the EU6 emissions standard.

The CLS is available from around 54.000 euros, while the basic version of the Shooting Brake costs just under 56.000 euros.

Photos: Mercedes-Benz
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