SYDNEY: Mercedes-Benz has introduced four-door CLS Coupe and Shooting Brake range and it is now on sale in Australia from this month. The four-door CLS Coupe and Shooting Brake range has undergone a minor facelift for 2015, as well as receiving more equipment and price cuts on some higher end models.
Mercedes-Benz Australia will offer three standard CLS Coupe variants and two Shooting Brake variants as well as its flagship CLS63 AMG S model.
Starting the range is the CLS 250 CDI, which is available in both Coupe and Shooting Brake guises. The base model comes fitted with a four-cylinder turbo diesel engine producing 150kW and 500Nm of torque.
The second-tier CLS 400 is exclusive to the coupe body style, bringing a new 3.0-litre bi-turbo V6 petrol delivering 245kW and 480Nm. Official fuel consumption figures are not yet available on local models.
Sitting atop the regular range are Coupe and Shooting Brake versions of the CLS 500. On both models, Mercedes-Benz has retained its popular 4.7-litre V8 engine, this time producing 300kW and 600Nm and fitted with a new fuel-saving nine-speed automatic gearbox instead of the seven-speed units found on other variants.
A faster shifting seven-speed unit is found on the flagship CLS63 AMG S, which returns to Australia in Coupe guise only for 2015. Power outputs are rated at an impressive 430kW and 800Nm, translating to a 0-100km/h time of 4.1 seconds.
Across the range, the CLS’s styling has been lightly tweaked for 2015, in many ways mimicking the look of the C-Class. Externally, there’s a new diamond pattern grille, a revised bumper with larger intakes, new LED headlights and new rear taillights.
The headlights offer an automatic high beam function operated by a camera, similar to those found on the Audi A8. Each headlight comprises 24 LED clusters that can be individually controlled by the car’s on-board computer. The system detects oncoming traffic and vehicles in front of the CLS and automatically adjusts the light beam to ensure other drivers are not dazzled by the lights. Mercedes-Benz says the system is so advanced that the high-beams can be used at all times without irritating or even endangering other road users. A similar program is fitted to the S-Class flagship model.
Inside the updated CLS resides a new tablet-style 8-inch display screen which sits atop the centre fascia. Elsewhere, Mercedes has integrated a newly-designed three-spoke steering wheel.
Headlining the CLS’ new technology is a standard 360-degree camera across all models. The device endows the driver with a bird’s eye view of the vehicle during parking and tight manoeuvring.
2015 Mercedes-Benz CLS Coupe pricing
CLS 250 CDI Coupe – $114,900 plus on-road costs (unchanged from predeccessor)
Standard features include:
- 1-litre turbo diesel four-cylinder
- 360-degree camera
- Illuminated front door sill panels with “Mercedes-Benz” lettering
- LED Headlamps
CLS 400 Coupe – $139,900 plus on-road costs
- 0-litre bi-turbo V6 petrol
- AIRMATIC electrically controlled damping system
- Heated front seats
- Multi-contour seat package
- Multifunction steering wheel in nappa leather / wood
- Nappa leather
CLS 500 Coupe – $169,000 plus on-road costs (+$9500)
- 7-litre V8 petrol
- Active multi-contour seat package
- Climatised front seats
- Electric sunblind for rear window
- Exclusive package featuring Exclusive package leather
- Television tuner
CLS 63 AMG S Coupe – $249,000 plus on-road costs (-$13,175)
- 5-litre bi-turbo V8 petrol
- AMG Driver’s package (300km/h speed limit)
- Easy pack quickfold rear seats
- Privacy glass
2015 Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake pricing
CLS 250 CDI Shooting Brake – $124,900 plus on-road costs (+$900)
- 1-litre four cylinder turbo diesel
- 360-degree camera
- Luggage compartment floor, American cherry-wood with black inlays
- Easy pack load securing kit
- Illuminated front door sill panels with “Mercedes-Benz” lettering
- LED Headlamps
CLS 500 Shooting Brake – $179,900
- 7-litre V8 petrol
- AMG Line Plus
- Easy pack load compartment cover (removable)
