Our early sighting of the third-generation Mercedes-Benz CLS in Malaysia proved to be true as Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) officially welcomes the CLS range to their Dream Cars family. Unlike before where it was offered in a single variant, MBM has brought in a variety of variants of the new-generation model to cater to a wider range of customer profile.
On the lower end of the spectrum, there is the CLS 350 powered by a road tax-friendly 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder while the CLS 53 4MATIC+ with its AMG credentials are here to suit the performance minded individual.
QUICK FACTS
| Name | Mercedes-Benz CLS 350 | Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 4MATIC | Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 4MATIC+ |
| Engine | 1,991cc; 4-cylinder turbo | 2,999cc; in-line 6 bi-turbo | 2,999cc; in-line 6 bi-turbo |
| Transmission | 9-speed automatic | ||
| Max Power | 299 hp @ 5,800 – 6,100 rpm | 367 hp @ 5,500 – 6,100 rpm | 435 hp @ 6,100 rpm |
| Max Torque | 400 Nm @3,000 – 4,000 rpm | 500 Nm @ 1,600 – 4,000 rpm | 520 Nm @ 1,800 – 5,800 rpm |
| 0 – 100 km/h; Top Speed | 6.0 seconds; 250 km/h | 4.8 seconds; 250 km/h | 4.5 seconds; 250 km/h |
| Price (OTR without insurance) | RM530,000 (Estimated) | RM650,034.58 | RM806,638.35 |
Both the CLS 450 4MATIC and CLS 53 4MATIC+ are immediately available at launch. The CLS 450 4MATIC wears the AMG Line exterior, diamond front grille, Multibeam LED headlamps with Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus, 20-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels as well as the Night Edition pack that paints the exterior trims in gloss black.
Stepping up to the CLS 53 4MATIC+ and it gets a decidedly more aggressive appearance with the AMG exterior night package, carbon fibre extended mirrors, carbon fibre boot lid and 20-inch five-twin-spoke alloy wheels.
Inside, the CLS 450 and 53 gets the widescreen cockpit, turbine-style air vents, powered sunroof, AMG Line interior, Command Online with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 64-colour ambient lighting, 360-degree camera with Parking Pilot, powered boot, air-balance package and Thermotronic climate control as standard.
The CLS 53 gets additional carbon fibre trim elements, Nappa leather AMG performance steering wheel, Nappa leather upholstery and a carbon fibre centre console. Early adopters of the CLS 450 and 53 can be optioned with the Edition 1 specification that adds COPPER ART interior concept and open-pore black ash wood interior trim with Edition 1 laser engraving.
The CLS family is the first generation of Mercedes-Benz vehicles in Malaysia to feature the marques new-generation 48-Volt Integrated Starter Generator that gives additional 22 hp and 250 Nm of torque to fills in the torque gaps when the turbochargers are spooling.
As a result, the CLS 350 with its 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder packs 299 hp/400 Nm, CLS 450 with its 3.0-litre bi-turbo in-line six packs 367 hp/500 Nm and the CLS 53 with its 3.0-litre bi-turbo in-line six commands 435 hp and 520 Nm of twist. A nine-speed automatic transmission is standard on all CLS variants.
All variants of the Mercedes-Benz CLS are fully imported and are covered with a 4-Years Warranty. Customers can also order their CLS with additional equipment such as heads-up display, Energizing Comfort Control and Driving Assistance Package.
IMAGE GALLERY
Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 4MATIC
Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 4MATIC+
