Mercedes-Benz will soon introduce the all-new and just-as-beautiful CLS-Class with a revised drivetrain line-up.
The new CLS-Class in four-door coupé and Shooting Brake avatars will feature a new front-end which now features the revolutionary MultiBeam LED headlamps. Inside, the COMAND Online appears as standard across the range.
The new CLS will be offered with a new turbo V6, two twin-turbo V8s and even, not surprisingly and rather sensibly, an entry-level four-cylinder diesel. The entry-level 2.2-litre turbo-diesel makes 177 PS and 400 Nm of torque. The larger 350 BlueTEC gets the impeccable 258 PS/620 Nm turbo-diesel 3.0-litre V6.
A new entrant in the petrol line is the turbo-petrol 3.0-litre V6 petrol, in the CLS400, with 333 PS and 480 Nm. The upcoming CLS500 will sport the 4.7-litre twin-turbo V8 with either 435 PS or 455 PS and 700 Nm, and will have a 4MATIC option as well, but the company is yet to officially announce these models, even though pictures have surfaced. The CLS63 AMG S debuts with all of 585 PS and 800 Nm from the BiTurbo 5.5-litre V8.
The CLS 220 BlueTEC diesel and the CLS400 petrol will have the 7G-Tronic automatic driving the rear wheels. The CLS350 BlueTEC will be paired to the company’s 9G-Tronic automatic which we’re sure will be programmed to extract maximum performance in terms of acceleration or economy as the situation demands. The CLS63 AMG S continue to sport the 7-speed AMG SpeedShift automatic.
Pricing in the UK is out for now. The CLS220 BlueTEC begins from £46,500 (Rs 46.5 lakh) with the CLS63 AMG S costing £86,500 (Rs 86.5 lakh). In India, however, the pricing will be much higher when they arrive. We expect the CLS400 and the AMG S models to make it here, but the really interesting option for those who value the brand and the svelte looks will find the CLS220 BlueTEC absolutely irresistable.
Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz India have launched the refreshed CLS350 in India at Rs 89.90 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The new car will still feature the 3.5-litre direct-injection V6 with 306 PS driving the rear wheels through the 7G-Tronic automatic. It will do duty till the new model arrives next year, unless it suffers the same fate as the SL-Class, which, to the disappointment of many MB fans here, is still is not available in India.
Story: Jim Gorde
Images: Mercedes-Benz
