Do you know what's what with the badging system at Mercedes? Don't worry, even we have to look things up sometimes.
Anyway, this is the new Mercedes-Benz CLS. They've kept the name because it's been a tradition at Mercedes-Benz.
The name has been around since 2004 for their four-door coupé, but it's actually based on the E-Class instead of the S-Class.
They should call it CLE, but that would make it incredibly confusing.
That's why it's still called CLS. You can still recognize it as a four-door coupé,
even though it's a little less extreme than the first generation.
What's new is a straight-six engine instead of a V6.
It's an entirely new engine generation, so apart from the spaciousness and driving abilities,
we'll be looking at the characteristics of the engine today.
Let's have look. Because it's a coupé, so the roofline is lower.
Three centimetres lower than a normal E-Class to be exact, so getting in requires quite some effort.
Right, when I'm finally seated, I can see the legroom is just alright,
but this car has a sunroof as well, so my head is touching the ceiling.
If I'm honest, I'm quite folded away compared to an E-Class.
Beneath the seat isn't a lot of room either. Right, the seat is in a lower position,
but I've done that because I'm driving. If I don't do that, my head touches the ceiling again.
Right, the boot can fit 520 litres of luggage. Optionally, you can get this foldable rear seat.
That's right, it's not standard, you'll have to pay extra.
Here's a fun little gimmick as well. A small hook which can be used for hanging bags and such.
The opening is quite big as well, so it's not bad at all.
The interior of this car is amazing, but we're used to that when it comes to Mercedes-cars.
Even in the simpler cars there's a beautiful dashboard, so naturally it's even better in here.
Small detail: this is the most expensive version with lots of extra's.
Anyway, it's incredibly well-finished, beautiful materials, and of course, what you'll see in other new Mercedeses as well:
two 12,3-inch screens. No regular dials anymore, it's a fully digital instrumentarium.
It features a big map, a multimedia system, all kinds of customizable dials.
You can go for a sporty layout, or rather for a classic one.
It's all up to you.
The vents are a typical Mercedes-Benz detail. They state that it's supposed to look like a jet engine.
I had to laugh, because last week I drove a 1958 Oldsmobile,
a car from the so-called 'jet age' in the USA. And its rear lights were styled to look like jet engines.
Apparently, that's something car designers tend to love. Jet engines, the toughness of jet fighters...
Even the Toyota Yaris has them, you literally find them everywhere.
In here as well, in the vents.
I mentioned the engines before, but they're all new in this CLS.
They're all straight-sixes. Two diesels, and we're driving the petrol version.
We've already driven the diesel in another Mercedes.
This is a 3.0-litre petrol engine, producing 367 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque.
It's being assisted by an Integrated Motor Assist, as Honda would call it.
Inbetween the engine and gearbox is a big flywheel, which is the starter and alternator at the same time.
It's also able to gain back some energy, that's why it's fitted with a 48-volt net.
It gives a bit more voltage. So the integrated 'assist-engine' assists the engine with accelerating.
To demonstrate the amount of power you get; it produces 23 horsepower and 250 Nm of torque.
That's like having a middle-class turbodiesel as extra support.
That's all meant to reduce the CO2-emissions.
It's not a full hybrid, because you can't drive it all-electric, but the electrical motor does aid the combustion engine.
So, this engine actually produces the performance of a V8, that's why it's called 450,
only with the efficiency of a straight-six. Mercedes says it'll do 13 kilometres per litre,
but you'll have to be good if you want to achieve those numbers.
The transmission fitted in the CLS, is a 9-speed automatic gearbox.
We already know it from other models though.
What's also special about this car, is that they all have 4Matic.
All of the three available cars, so the diesels and this six-cylinder petrol are 4Matic,
Four-wheel drive and a 9-speed automatic gearbox.
So how does it drive? It all depends on which version you choose actually.
As standard it's fitted with steel springs with conventional shocks.
There's also a version with steel springs, but with Dynamic Body Control,
which lets you variably set up the shocks.
This version is fitted with Air Body Control, so it's fitted with air suspension.
Again, you're able to choose from different setups. If you put it in Comfort,
this car becomes incredibly soft, incredibly creamy. Both in steering and suspension.
That's when it's fully aimed at comfort, in a way only Mercedes knows.
If you put it in Sport however, everything becomes a lot sharper.
The transmission, the steering, but the springs and shocks as well.
That's when it becomes a totally different car. It also adds a little bit of sound.
Sure, it's from the speakers, but the experience becomes more intense.
It's a very fun car to drive. Great handling, the limit is incredibly far away...
It hangs a little over the front wheels, but the amounts of grip are so incredibly big.
You can't really get into trouble with this, or you should do something incredibly crazy.
If you are able to get into trouble, there's still the electronical failsafe to rescue you.
The engine is a true jewel as well. It produces so much torque.
You could almost skip the AMG-version, the CLS 53.
That's being introduced today as well, so we're driving that later on.
This is so incredibly quick, and it does so in such an easy way.
You don't need an heavier engine like a V8.
The torque is all spread very nicely over a big range, and that's partly because of the extra flywheel,
which aids the combustion engine. If you combine that with the 9-speed automatic gearbox which utilizes every single torque...
It's an incredibly nice car to drive.
It shouldn't be hard to guess that this car is filled to the brim with safety systems.
One of them stood out to me. From the Pre-Safe package, which is standard on every CLS.
It's a system which prepares your ears for the blow of a crash.
I can't really imagine how that works, but even something like that is on here.
Of course, the CLS can be fitted with semi-autonomous features, and this is too.
Think of adaptive cruise control, the steering can be done autonomously.
If you let go of the steering wheel on the motorway, it will neatly follow the rest and the lines on the tarmac.
Also, just like every other car, you'll get a notification you'll have to hold the wheel again.
It's all on here. You can even get a sort of wellness-package.
You'll get seat-massaging, a different climate control, and something French: a perfumeur.
It emits a kind of perfume-smell. This car is fitted with that as well,
sometimes it smells like someone has sprayed some perfume in the car.
That way, the temperature and smell stay fresh. That helps you staying alert behind the wheel.
This car is also fitted with seats which have dynamic side support, adjusting themselves according to the corner you're in.
So the way the seats grip is perfect.
I already mentioned it, but we were able to drive the AMG 53 4Matic Plus today as well.
And we're in that right now. Clearly it's a car aimed at more driving pleasure.
The steering setup is different, but the chassis has been changed as well.
It's a tad harder this. Also, it's on 20-inch wheels, so they're bigger...
than the ones under the car with the weaker engine we just drove.
The engine is completely new for an AMG. It's the same 3.0-litre straight-six as in the 450,
but in this case it produces 435 horsepower and 520 Nm of torque.
That's because it's fitted with a turbo and an electrical compressor, and that means you always have torque and you always have power.
It's a tad quicker on the throttle than the 450. From 0-100 it's not a lot faster,
but you can feel in everything this is a car built for going fast.
The chassis is pretty much the same. The 4Matic-settings are different though,
just like the steering. This is sharper and mostly rear-wheel drive,
and if needed, the front wheels kick in as well.
If this isn't quick or wild enough for you, you could wait for the CLS 63 which undoubtedly will come as well.
That will be fitted with a V8-engine.
We don't know the prices of this car yet. For those, we'll have to wait until June.
You can count on it that it will be lot more expensive than the 450, but for that,
you'll get a car which is made to make you smile in every single way.
This Mercedes CLS operates in the area of cars like the Audi A7, the Jaguar XF and BMW 6-series Gran Coupé.
Mostly the Audi and BMW are the direct competitors. The big, luxury coupés with a big price tag.
The petrol CLS will set you back almost €100.000, the diesels start at €93.000.
The petrol starts at €98.000, and that's a lot of money.
It's more than €10.000 more expensive than it's predecessor, and it's €10.000 more than a comparable E-Class.
And what do you get for that? A car which is differently styled.
Because that's why you buy it, you buy it because of the design.
You're not going to complain that the headroom isn't as rich, or that the rear is too cramped, or that the boot is too small.
You buy it because of the style.
For a Mercedes-customer, who thinks an E-Class is too regular, an S-Class is too much,
who doesn't want a SUV or crossover-model, he could go for this CLS.
So for that customer base, this is an incredibly good car.
And when it comes to the car itself... It's all top-notch, it won't get any better.