2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class CLS550 Details

Model Code: CLS-Class
Bodystyle: Sedan
Doors: 4
Transmission: Automatic
Engine: 4.6L
Dealer Price: $80,295

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class CLS550 Pictures

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class CLS550 Specs

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class CLS550 Features

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class CLS550 Review

2012 CLS-Class Review
The second-generation CLS, which goes on sale here early next summer as a 2012 model, isn’t as pretty as the first one. The new body is a mixture of unimpeachable proportions and jarring design details. The overall envelope is elegant, but Mercedes embroiders it with brash details such as aggressive air scoops around the front bumper and sharp creases along the flanks. As with virtually every car that comes to market these days, the CLS is bigger than the vehicle it replaces. The wheelbase has grown from 112.4 inches to 113.2, and the overall length is now 194.5 inches, up from 193.6. The car is slightly taller and wider, at 55.8 and 74.1 inches, respectively. The running gear comes from the new E-class sedan, but the CLS has a slightly wider track in front and back.

Walkaround
Although it’s still a striking car, the CLS places equal emphasis on its bevy of safety features. There are nine standard airbags and no fewer than 12 assistance systems. New among these are three active systems to help with parking, staying in the appropriate lane, and monitoring blind spots. The latter doesn’t merely alert a driver to a car in a blind spot; it uses the brakes to tug the CLS away from an approaching vehicle. More important to enthusiasts, Mercedes is using its new 4.7-liter, direct-injection twin-turbo V-8 in place of a naturally aspirated 5.5-liter engine. (It seems that Mercedes’ naming conventions have followed BMW’s lead, in that they tell you absolutely nothing about what’s under-hood.) This engine made its debut in the CL550, where it was rated at 429 horsepower. In the CLS, the power is down to 402, although that’s still 20 more horses than in the previous CLS550. The old engine made 391 pound-feet of torque, which grows here to 443, available from 1600 rpm. Mercedes claims the twin-turbo engine is 10 to 15 percent more fuel efficient, thanks to the smaller displacement, direct injection, and a stop-start system that will not come to the U.S. on this engine, instead waiting to appear on the upcoming AMG model. The engine is mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive will be available later. Performance should remain similar to that of the previous model; the last CLS550 we tested managed the 0-to-60-mph sprint in 4.7 seconds. But by the middle of next year when the car launches here, it is likely that Mercedes also will introduce the CLS63 with a twin-turbo 5.5-liter V-8 making about 550 horsepower.

Summary
Compared with the previous model, the new CLS interior provides a little more shoulder room (up by 0.9 and 0.5 inch, front and rear), thanks to slimmer door trim. The interior quality is also better, with actual metal rather than plastic on some of the switches, real wood panels, and gorgeous, thick leather. The old, fiddly COMAND system used to access the navigation, audio, and telematics is gone, replaced by an iDrive-style controller. Overall, the quality and ambiance come close to those of the S-class. Compared with the previous model, the new CLS interior provides a little more shoulder room (up by 0.9 and 0.5 inch, front and rear), thanks to slimmer door trim. The interior quality is also better, with actual metal rather than plastic on some of the switches, real wood panels, and gorgeous, thick leather. The old, fiddly COMAND system used to access the navigation, audio, and telematics is gone, replaced by an iDrive-style controller. Overall, the quality and ambiance come close to those of the S-class.

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