Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
The Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class is a series of executive cars produced by Mercedes-Benz since 2004.
Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class | |
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Overview | |
Manufacturer |
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Production | 2004 – present |
Body and chassis | |
Class | Executive car |
Body style |
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Layout | FR / 4WD (4matic) |
The original model was a four-door fastback based on the Mercedes E-Class platform, marketed as a four door coupé.[1] An estate (Shooting Brake) model was later added to the model range with the second generation CLS.[2] All models are available as a high performance AMG variant, although it wasn't until the second generation CLS that 4MATIC all-wheel drive was offered.[3]
The CLS range is positioned between the E-Class and the S-Class within the Mercedes model range[4][5], and models tend to be less practical than the E-Class it is based on.[6] It primarily competes with BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe and Audi A7.
First generation (C219; 2004–2010)
Marketed from Mercedes as a four-door coupé, the CLS was designed by Michael Fink in 2001[7] who also styled the first generation CLK, the C-SportCoupé, and Maybach 57 and 62.[8] In Germany and in whole Europe the model name is C219 while in US the CLS is more commonly named as W219 model. The C219 CLS is based on the W211 E-Class platform, and shares major components including the engines, transmissions, and has an identical wheelbase of 2,854 mm (112 in).[9] IVM Automotive, a subsidiary of German roof system specialist Edscha, developed the entire vehicle from the CLS Vision concept on which the CLS is based on[10], to the production version which debuted at the 2004 New York International Auto Show.[11]
Second generation (C218; 2010–2018)
The C218 CLS is the second generation model, and was sold from 2011 to 2018.[12] The body styles of the range are a 4-door coupé (C218 model code for Europe/ W218 for US market), and a 5-door estate (X218 model code, marketed as Shooting Brake). The design of the CLS was based on the Mercedes F800 concept and featured design cues from other models including the Mercedes SLS AMG.[13] Unlike its predecessor, the C218 CLS is available with all-wheel drive and can be optionally configured on CLS63 AMG models as well.[14] In 2014, the CLS underwent a facelift and featured design changes, engine enhancements, and the adoption of the Mercedes 9G-Tronic automatic transmission.[15]
Third generation (C257; 2018–present)
The C257 CLS is the third and current generation model, and is only available as a 4-door sedan and in rear-wheel or all-wheel drive (4MATIC) configuration.[16] The Shooting Brake body style was in development for the C257 CLS, but was shortly discontinued due to poor and declining demand overseas for the last generation model.[17] The range of engines consist of a 3.0-litre straight six turbocharged petrol engine and a 2.9-litre straight six turbocharged diesel engine.[18]
Sales figures
The following are the sales figures of the CLS in Europe and in the United States:[19][20]
Year | EU total | US total |
---|---|---|
2004 | 5,543 | - |
2005 | 20,147 | 14,835 |
2006 | 20,262 | 10,763 |
2007 | 17,098 | 7,906 |
2008 | 12,224 | 5,775 |
2009 | 6,083 | 2,527 |
2010 | 3,975 | 2,135 |
2011 | 17,414 | 5,665 |
2012 | 12,797 | 8,065 |
2013 | 15,139 | 8,032 |
2014 | 10,289 | 6,981 |
2015 | 12,600 | 6,152 |
2016 | 7,803 | 4,156 |
2017 | 5,116 | 1,839 |
2018 | 9,113 | 943 |
Total: | 175,603 | 85,774 |
References
- "2010 Mercedes Benz CLS - Mercedes Benz Luxury Four Door Coupe - Automobile Magazine". Automobile Magazine. 2008-09-11. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
- "2015 Mercedes CLS63 AMG Review @ Top Speed". Top Speed. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
- "2015 Mercedes CLS63 AMG Review @ Top Speed". Top Speed. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
- "Mercedes-Benz classes slot".
- "2008 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class | Pricing, Ratings & Reviews | Kelley Blue Book". Kbb.com. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
- Limited, Listers Group. "'MERC'S CURVE BALL' - Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class (2005-2010) Range Independent Used Review (Ref:806/208525)". listers.co.uk. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
- Meiners, Jens (January 2009). "2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 Grand Edition". Car and Driver. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
- "Design Icons: Revisiting the Trend-Setting Mercedes-Benz CLS (2004)". Form Trends. 2017-06-27. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
- https://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/fahrbericht/mercedes-cls-tiefstrahler/
- "Suppliers to the new Mercedes-Benz CLS class". Automotive News. 2005-01-10. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
- "2004 New York Auto Show". 2004-04-02. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
- "Depreciation Appreciation: 2011-2017 Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG (C218)". autoTRADER.ca. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
- "Geneva Preview: Mercedes-Benz F800 Style a sneak peek at next CLS-Class". Autoblog. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
- "2015 Mercedes CLS63 AMG Review @ Top Speed". Top Speed. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
- "Mercedes CLS facelift (2014) first official pics". CAR Magazine. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
- "Should Mercedes make a new CLS Shooting Brake?". Top Gear. 2017-12-05. Retrieved 2018-06-01.
- "Mercedes-Benz kills the Shooting Brake for 2018 Mk3 CLS". CAR Magazine. Retrieved 2018-06-01.
- Bartosiak, Dave. "Mercedes Give Details on the New Third-Gen CLS-Class". The Drive. Retrieved 2018-06-01.
- "Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Sales Figures -". GCBC. 2011-01-01. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
- "Mercedes-Benz CLS European sales figures". carsalesbase.com. Retrieved 2018-05-31.