Mercedes-Benz launches a new season for the iconic CLS

• Flawless features: a new design language for the second generation

• Stunning style: LED High Performance headlamps

• Refined performance: three engine versions available in Middle East

• Deft agility: lightweight construction and new electro-mechanical Direct-

Steer system

• Confident presence: Active Blind Spot Assist and Active Lane Keeping

Assist

• Efficient thirst: up to 25 percent lower fuel consumption

Dubai, UAE: Mercedes-Benz has launched a new season for its iconic CLS,

the four door coupé that made fashionable jaws drop when it first debuted

in 2003, and quickly established itself as the ultimate must-have style

statement for chic drivers across the Middle East.

The charismatic CLS will be easily recognised when it hits roads across

the region this month. With distinctive design elements inspired by the

breakthrough SLS AMG super sports car, the CLS sports a new scowl

courtesy of LED High Performance headlamps, and will be available to the

image elite as a V6 CLS 350, a V8 CLS 500, or a supercharged bi-turbo V8

CLS 63.

Mercedes-Benz creation in 2003 of a new category that combined the

elegance and dynamism of a coupé with the comfort and functionality

of a saloon, delighted customers and stunned the German automotive

manufacturer’s competition. For many years since October 2004, the CLS

endured as the only four-door coupé in its class, and has been the chariot of

choice for 170,000 al la mode owners worldwide.

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"Customers across the Middle East and the globe have rewarded us for our

courage in launching a completely new vehicle concept onto the market,"

explains a delighted Frank Bernthaler, Director, Sales and Marketing,

Mercedes-Benz Cars, Middle East & Levant. "And with its exciting design

and refined sportiness, the new edition of the CLS also benefits from the

fact that we are a whole generation ahead of the competition with our four-

door Coupé."

The exterior: classic Coupé styling with distinctive front

The new CLS continues the pioneering role of its predecessor and at

the same time shows itself to be a brand-new star on the scene. What

immediately strikes the eye is the innovative front design, which is

reminiscent of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. Extending well forward, the

upright radiator grille highlights the long, sporty bonnet even further. The

grille is dominated by the large central star, which underlines the car's

relationship to the other coupés of the brand and strengthens the brand

identity.

The typical CLS outline, with its elegantly long proportions, is the dominating

attribute of the new model. The effect of the dynamic, athletic form has been

enhanced with a new interplay of lines and areas. The front edge of

the structure above the wings slopes off towards the rear. This novel

design feature, called the dropping line by designers, represents a new

interpretation of a formal design element harking back to the uniquely rich

wealth of forms present in historic Mercedes sports cars.

A distinctive and muscular sports car-like shoulder line above the rear axle

highlights the athletic character of the new CLS. The flared wheel arches

resemble the powerful thighs of a feline predator waiting to pounce.

The GCC specification CLS 350 will come with an exterior sport package

as standard, featuring chromed twin-pipe exhaust system with rectangular

tailpipe rims, 5-spoke 18-inch light-alloy wheels with a 19-inch option, rear

bumper with matt black painted cover, and sporty suspension set-up. The

CLS350 also comes with the option of an AMG Sports Package.

The CLS 500 with GCC specification comes standard with an AMG Sports

package, including AMG front and rear aprons, single-wing radiator grill with

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a chrome/silver louver, and 18-inch 5-spoke light alloy wheels with mixed

tyre sizes, optionally available as 19-inch.

The AMG Sports package includes 3-spoke sports multifunction steering

wheel in nappa leather with a flattened lower section; matching black

upholstery, seats, head restraints, door armrests and centre console with

light, and roof liner with contrasting stitching. In keeping with the sporty

styling of the AMG Sports package, the package also features ‘AMG’

lettering floor mats, brushed stainless-steel sports pedals, and additional ‘M’

transmission mode for manual gearshifts.

The interior: design brings quality to life

The interior of the CLS is also distinguished by a timeless design which

combines straightforward elegance with innovative details and handcrafted

perfection. An eye-catching feature is the wrap-around effect of the cockpit:

a high line sweeps from the driver's door over the instrument panel support

and across to the front passenger door. The central display has also been

integrated harmoniously into the upper part of the instrument panel. At the

same time, the downward sweeping side line on the doors continues the

dynamic dropping line of the exterior.

As a design trendsetter, the CLS sets new standards in interiors with its

wide variety of individualisation options. Five interior colours, five trim

designs and also three qualities of leather are available to choose from.

The CLS lives up to its role as a design icon through the innovative material

finishes used. An example of this is the exciting interplay of satin-finish and

shiny metallic surfaces. The CLS also exudes refined sportiness with its

lavish and high-class trim elements which can be found on the instrument

panel support, the centre console and parts of the door trim. Customers can

choose between three exclusive wood types: high-gloss brown burr walnut,

high-gloss black ash and satin-finish light-brown poplar. The interior is given

an even more progressive look with the addition of piano lacquer or AMG

carbon fibre trim elements.

Ambient lighting is offered as standard in the GCC specification CLS, with

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three dimmer controlled colours offered in Solar, Neutral, and Polar with

adjustable brightness control.

LED High Performance headlamps: greater visibility and full functionality

The CLS is the first passenger car in the world to offer LED High

Performance headlamps, which comes as standard in the GCC specification

model. The headlamps combine the exciting colour elements of LED

technology - similar to those of daytime running lamps - with the

performance, functionality and energy efficiency of today's bi-xenon

generation (as an optional extra).

This new light system provides, for the first time ever, the Intelligent Light

System already proven in Mercedes models fitted with bi-xenon headlamps

in combination with LED technology. The headlamps, with their 71 LED

lamps in total, look exciting; and they serve to underline the unmistakable

appearance of the CLS. The light specialists from Mercedes-Benz have

for the first time been able to use LED technology in the admired and

innovative Adaptive Highbeam Assist, resulting in an entirely new level of

safety for night-time driving.

In contrast to the first vehicles equipped with LED headlamps, no

compromises are now necessary with respect to the functionality and

performance of the lighting technology. There are further arguments for

the new, LED-based lighting technology: the average operating life of an

LED is around 10,000 hours, around five times longer than that of a xenon

light; moreover, LED headlamps most closely approximate to the colour of

daylight.

This means that LED light is in keeping with the normal human perception

patterns, and that the driver experiences significantly more brightness on

the road at night. Studies have shown that the closer the colour of artificial

light comes to daylight, the less the strain on the eyes. With a colour

temperature of 5500 Kelvin, LED light is closer to daylight (6500 K) than

xenon light (4200 K).

The engines: higher output, yet up to 25 percent lower fuel consumption

Efficiency at the highest level: this is the common characteristic shared by

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all three engines used in the new CLS. All the engines feature increased

performance and torque compared with previous models, while at the same

time boasting a level of fuel consumption which has been significantly

reduced by up to 25 percent.

Two CLS versions will be available in the Middle East from May; the CLS

500 BlueEFFICIENCY with a V8 engine developing 300 kW (408 hp);

and the supercharged bi-turbo CLS 63 AMG, with 5.5 litre V8 engine -

developing 386 kW (525 hp) and 700 Nm of torque, which can be optionally

boosted to develop 410 kW (557 hp) and 800 Nm of torque via the

performance package.

These models will be followed by a V6 CLS 350 BlueEFFICIENCY

producing 225 kW (306 hp) engine version in September.

Lightweight construction and aerodynamics: important contributions to

efficiency

Intelligent lightweight construction plays a decisive role in bridging the

classic conflict of objectives between low weight and high strength in

the new CLS. The CLS is thus the first vehicle from Mercedes-Benz

to have frameless, all-aluminium doors. These are made from deep-

drawn aluminium panels with extruded sections, and in comparison with

conventional steel doors, are some 24 kilograms lighter. Apart from the

doors, the bonnet, front wings, boot lid, parcel shelf, various support

profiles and substantial parts of the suspension and engines are all made of

aluminium.

Aerodynamics play an important part in the outstanding efficiency of the

Mercedes-Benz CLS. The new model enjoys a dominant stance on the

road thanks to a wider front end than its predecessor, whilst still boasting

reduced wind resistance of up to ten percent. This is thanks to the Cd value

of 0.26, which has been improved by 13 percent.

Electro-mechanical Direct-Steer system: a new steering experience

Marry the ultimate in driving dynamics to the very best in long-distance

ride comfort, was the challenge set for the designers and developers of the

suspension system for the new Coupé, which aspires to be the epitome of

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stylish sportiness in both form and function.

To achieve this, the suspension system, which had already attracted the

highest praise from both the trade press and the public when introduced

with the new E-Class, was completely re-tuned and enhanced with a key

new component: the electromechanical Direct-Steer system makes its world

debut in the new CLS. This pioneering innovation makes a new and radical

contribution to the relationship between driver, car and road: engineers

have, for the first time, been given the freedom to select and to program

many of the parameters which influence the steering feel.

In addition, the steering system makes an important contribution to the

CLS' overall efficiency: as the steering support system only uses energy

when the vehicle is actually being steered, fuel consumption is cut by up to

0.3 litres/7 g of CO2 compared to the previous model.

For the front suspension, the concept of a three-link front axle design was

chosen as in the E-Class - and specially developed further for the new

CLS. The principle of a lightweight-construction multi-link rear suspension

attached to a subframe was adopted from the new E-Class in view of its

unsurpassed wheel location qualities. In comparison to its predecessor, all

the components have been modified to give both greater comfort and better

driving dynamics.

New driving assistance systems: greater safety

More than a dozen driving assistance systems on the new CLS help to

prevent traffic accidents and reduce the severity of an accident. The Active

Blind Spot Assist and the Active Lane Keeping Assist are new.

Active Blind Spot Assist warns the driver if - with the assistance of short-

range radar sensors - it detects that there is a danger of collision if the

vehicle is about to change lanes. Should the driver ignore the warnings

and the vehicle come dangerously close to the next lane, Active Blind

Spot Assist will intervene. By applying braking force to the wheels on the

opposite side of the vehicle via the Electronic Stability Program ESP®, a

yaw movement is created which counteracts the collision course.

Active Lane Keeping Assist is now also linked to ESP® for the first time. This

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system kicks into action if the Mercedes vehicle inadvertently drifts over

a solid line to the right or left of a lane. In this case, Active Lane Keeping

Assist uses the ESP® to gently brake the wheels on the far side and thereby

bring the vehicle back on course. A display on the instrument cluster

warns the driver at the same time. If broken lane markings are crossed,

the system controls an electric pulse generator in the steering wheel which

generates vibrations for a short time – a discreet but highly effective cue

to countersteer immediately. Before the braking system intervenes, the

steering wheel always vibrates to provide a warning.

GCC Specification CLS models also include as standard Active Parking

Assist with Parking Guidance, Memory package, Media Interface, and the

COMAND APS multimedia System.