Review
But just spare a thought for your boss when it comes to picking cars. £50,000 buys some extremely fine, attractive metalwork, but manufacturers are not exactly brimming with originality when it comes to their bodystyles.
Go large in the saloon sector and it’s Audi A8, BMW 7-series, Jaguar XJ8 and Mercedes-Benz S-class.
Sporty drivers will probably be more drawn to the Audi RS6, BMW 545i/M5, Jaguar S-type R or Merc E500/AMG 55.
Similarly, the same manufacturers can offer a range of large coupes – two doors, four seats but not much space. Otherwise, frustrated truck drivers can go down the Range Rover, X5, ML-class, Porsche Cayenne route. Nice trucks they may be, but like the other cars listed so far, all very much of a formula. Compare that with the proliferation of body styles that £20,000 will buy.
So what to do for those aching for something a bit different? What about cutting edge style rather than more conservative, corporate bigness?
How about something that could combine the stylish elegance of a between-the-wars French Grand Routiere such as a Bugatti, Delage, Hotchkiss, Delahaye or Talbot Lago, with the space of a close-coupled saloon from the same era?
In other words, a car with comfortable seating for four adults, a 500-litre boot large enough for their Louis Vuitton luggage, but with the power output and chassis dynamics expected of a car with such a price tag.
Mercedes-Benz believes that it has the answer in the CLS-class, due on sale here next March, after making its European debut in October. The car grew out of the Vision CLS concept car, which was shown at the Frankfurt motor show a year ago.
Described by Mercedes-Benz as a ‘four-door coupe’, it sits somewhere between the E and S-class in size, but with the kind of radical design not normally associated with larger Mercs.
The low roofline and eyebrow window profile, when viewed side on, give it the appearance of an American chop-top custom car as its starting point. Yet its elegance grows from the subtle blending of sharp swage lines and curves giving it an edgy, attention-grabbing appearance, but with enough Mercedes-Benz conservatism to appeal to the traditional UK 50-plus male luxury car driver.
A fair bit of the under-the-skin metalwork is drawn from the Mercedes-Benz parts bin, as are the 272bhp 3.5-litre V6 and 306bhp 5.0-litre V8 petrol engines. Both drive the rear wheels through Mercedes 7G-TRONIC seven speed automatic gearbox. If this doesn’t propel the CLS quickly enough for your liking, there will be an AMG CLS 55 variant along later in 2005.
Although Mercedes-Benz line at the launch was that there are no plans for diesel at present, but it is more than likely to get the 218bhp V6 revealed at the Paris Motor Show last week.
Since, like most larger Mercs, it relies on V6 and V8 petrol engines, the current in-line six-cylinder diesel isn’t a natural fit and a vee engine would make a lot of sense.
Clearly the CLS is not going to be a big fleet seller. In fact, since Mercedes is planning to build some 30,000 a year, relative exclusivity should help to ensure that residuals hold up well. Add in the proven mechanicals and the CLS should be as well behaved and as sound a choice as any other Mercedes-Benz.
Behind the wheel
FABRIC and leather, wood and electrically adjustable everything sets the scene. Climate control is standard, with temperature settings for each passenger in the CLS 500.
Full leather is on the options list, with a host of comfort features from the dynamic multi-contour driver’s seat, which inflates the side bolsters to counter cornering forces, to navigation systems, bi-xenon headlamps and a heated steering wheel. Tall drivers should find enough seat adjustment to accommodate them, while the large windscreen and rear window relieve any possible feelings of claustrophobia from the ‘eyebrow’ side windows.
The driving seat is a comfortable place to be.
The CLS is not small, but doesn’t convey the feel of a large car, helped, no doubt, by the agile chassis. The 350 models get steel suspension as standard and a left/right temperature zone split for the climate control system. 500 models get full adaptive air suspension as standard, the same system used for the S-Class. This gives full automatic control or two progressively firmer sporty settings, which also drop the car’s ride height. 500 models also get four-zone climate control with individual temperature adjustment for all four seats. These two features for the 500 help to justify the expected £10,000 price premium over 350 models.
As indicated, the CLS is a strict four-seater with two large shaped seats in the back and a central console and large folding armrest between them.
Getting in and out needs a bit of agility to duck the low roof, but once inside, there’s plenty of head and shoulder room in the back although legroom is not as generous as might be expected.
Performance from either engine does not disappoint. If anything, power output from the 500 seems a bit conservative, with only 34 more horsepower to show for its extra two cylinders and 1.5 litres. Both units are smooth and refined.
The seven speed automatic box is not quite so impressive. While it slurs almost imperceptibly between gears under moderate acceleration it can become hesitant and jerky at full throttle.
The chassis is very impressive, even with the 350’s standard steel suspension. The 500’s air system is best left to its own devices unless you are exploiting the car’s power on a twisty road, when the firmer sports settings are a better bet. State of the art safety equipment goes without saying in a modern Benz.
Driving verdict
Great looks, a high level of standard equipment and a fine chassis add up to make this one of the most desirable Mercedes-Benz models of recent times. Its formula should also work as Mercedes intends – on those 5 and 7-series drivers, as well as those in Audi A8s and Jaguars who want something visually more exciting and far less conservative.
Business cheques will pay for most of those that come to the UK and Mercedes should have no difficulty selling every one.
| Model: Mercedes-Benz CLS | 350 | 500 | ||
| Engine (cc): | 3,498 | 4,966 | ||
| Max power (bhp/rpm): | 272/6,000 | 306/5,600 | ||
| Max torque (lb-ft/rpm): | 258/2,400-5,000 | 339/2,700-4,250 | ||
| Max speed (mph): | 155* | 155* | ||
| 0-62mph (sec): | 7.0 | 6.1 | ||
| Fuel consumption (mpg): | 27.9 | 25.0 | ||
| CO2 emissions (g/km): | 241 | 268 | ||
| Fuel tank capacity (l/gal): | 80/17.6 | 80/17.6 | ||
| Transmission: | 7-sp auto | 7-sp auto | ||
| Service intervals: | Variable | |||
| On sale: | March 2005 | |||
| Prices (estimated): | £41,000-£50,000 | |||
* Electronically limited
