2017 LA Auto Show: Third time’s the charm with the Mercedes CLS

After numerous spy shot appearance and a leak ahead of the debut, the third generation Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class makes its official debut. Showcased at the ongoing 2017 LA Auto Show, the CLS retains its authentic ‘four-door coupe’ lines while being more modern than before.

The styling is evolutionary, as the CLS debuts a new headlight design which will be carried forward in the impending Mercedes vehicles. The triangular design of the headlamps flanks the single-louvred diamond grille that characterizes the new CLS. The front bumpers are akin to the one seen on the AMG derivative of the E-Class. 

Mercedes has succeeded in retaining the smooth flowing roofline that accentuates the four-door coupe body style which was initiated by the first gen CLS back in 2003. The LED tail lights at the back are simple yet match the overall design of the new CLS. The frameless doors in a typical coupe fashion, massive 21-inch wheels (18-inch are standard) and the characteristic C-Pillar make the new car unmistakably a CLS.

The cabin gets all the goodies from the bigger S-Class. So the CLS can be had with those massive 12.3-inch dual digital display. The air-vents are now newly designed which will also be seen in the upcoming A-Class. The ambient lighting gets 64 colours, the centre console is a combination of rotary dials and touchpad. The multifunctional steering wheel, premium leather upholstery and the luxurious cabin lend the CLS a proper S-Class feel. It’s even filled to the brim with a host of active and passive safety and driver assist hardware. The headroom is increased now as the CLS is positioned as a five-seater. The boot space is retained at 520 litres.

Under the sculpted hood of the new CLS, there won’t be a V6 anymore, but a choice of three 3.0-litre straight-six engine options. The diesel engine puts out 285bhp/600Nm in the 350d guise and 340bhp/700Nm in the 400d variant. The top-of-the-line 450 guise petrol motor gets a 48volt EQ Boost hybrid system as standard and puts out 365bhp/500Nm. All three engine options get the 4MATIC four-wheel-drive system as standard. 

The new-gen CLS will hit the roads in March 2018. Mercedes-Benz will introduce the four-door coupe in India once it goes on sale in the international markets.