- Olga Kokorina
- Translated by Olga Apetenok
- Ru Fr
Mercedes CLS Fastback. 3rd generation, 2021 restyling
The Mercedes CLS is a series of mid-size luxury cars produced by Mercedes-Benz (Germany) since 2004. Based on the E-Class, these models are positioned as sportier and better equipped. When the car first entered the market, it caused a sensation with its extraordinary exterior, stylish interior and superb equipment. It is understandable that from the moment of its release, the range has undergone significant changes, but the main concept is still a versatile car for all occasions with the design of a prestigious coupe and the convenience of a sedan. It is very popular in the world. Mercedes-Benz claims that since the release of the first generation, the CLS has been sold in the amount of over 450 thousand units around the world. Introduced in November 2017, the third generation is available in a fastback body. Buyers are currently very demanding, so it is required to be capable of surprising them in order to maintain interest in the model. Therefore, in 2021, the CLS underwent a planned restyling and was significantly changed. These changes will be discussed in our review. Let’s take a closer look at the restyled version that will soon be released in Israel.
Exterior
The four-door car has a coupe-like silhouette thanks to the sloping roof and sporty style. The restyled version of the 2021 Mercedes CLS has a slightly changed exterior and an upgraded interior. Now the entry-level car has an AMG Line styling package, which includes an original front bumper with a silver splitter, kicking plates and a small spoiler on the trunk lid. A graceful difference from the previous version can only be seen upon close inspection, so if you look closely, you can see the transformed radiator grille. Previously, its pattern used to consist of simple metal dots, but now the designers have turned them into small three-pointed stars, small copies of the world-famous corporate logos. The car also features 19- and 20-inch redesigned wheel rims.
Interior
The interior changes of the 2021/2022 Mercedes CLS are even less noticeable. They include a new steering wheel, which has built-in capacitive sensors that determine if the driver is holding the wheel or not. Such a system is required for a semi-autonomous driving package, which is obliged to check whether the driver is distracted from the road when it is activated. The designers removed the circular mechanical clock, previously installed in the center of the dashboard, changed the shape of the automatic transmission selector and added new trim options, traditionally superior and eye-catching. The most significant change is the modern MBUX multimedia system with a 12.3-inch display with a touch-sensitive touchpad (the E-class got it during the restyling, and now it has reached the CLS). An outward sign of the new multimedia was a different track-pad on the central tunnel without the plate installed on the previous model.
Powertrains
The CLS engine range includes the following petrol units: CLS 350 (2.0 l, 299 hp and 400 Nm), CLS 450 4Matic (3.0 l, 367 hp and 500 Nm) and CLS 53 4Matic + (3, 0 l, 435 hp and 520 Nm). The diesel versions comprise: CLS 220 d (1.9 l, 194 hp and 400 Nm), CLS 300 d 4Matic (2.0 l, 265 hp and 550 Nm) and CLS 400 d 4Matic (3, 0 l, 330 hp and 700 Nm). The CLS 450 4Matic, CLS 53 4Matic+ and CLS 300 d 4Matic models are equipped with a 48-volt integrated starter generator that adds 20 hp. Israeli buyers are already familiar with the CLS 350 version.
It is worth noting the new CLS 300 d 4Matic modification with a 2-liter turbocharged diesel engine with 265 hp and 550 Nm, complemented by a second-generation 48-volt starter-generator, which provides an additional 20 hp and 200 Nm. Such a combination was first presented on the new C-Class. The new CLS modification accelerates to 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds, with a top speed of 250 km/h, while consuming 5.5-5.8 liters of fuel per 100 km.
Equipment
The new Mercedes CLS is equipped with all the latest electronic assistants that guarantee the safety of the driver and passengers, which react faster than a person and scan the environment. The car comes with the following systems: Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, active emergency braking system, blind spot monitoring system and head-up display. The improved autopilot is now able to independently start the car after stopping, if it stopped for less than a minute, and the automatic braking system can independently slow down in front of a car turning from the opposite direction to the left. The blind spot monitoring system now warns of dangers that can occur when opening doors. In addition, there is a parking package with a 360° camera and an active parking assistance system. There are two optics options: High Performance LED headlights or MULTIBEAM LED adaptive headlights, which react to the traffic situation by individually controllable LEDs, and their limited high-beam headlights do not dazzle other drivers. And COMAND Online, a navigation system perfectly integrated into the cockpit with a Mercedes-style user interface, is also worth mentioning. The suspension is not simple, but pneumatic, with adjustable ground clearance and three modes of operation.
