According to Mercedes-Benz, customers choose the CLS-Class due to one reason- its design. Thus, with the current four-door coupe design looking so well proportioned, sporty and handsome, only very selected sections needed to be aesthetically freshened up.
Starting with the looks upfront, the bumper which includes the fitment for the radiator grille has been updated, with a stronger resemblance to other new-generation models. Similar to the recently launched all-new Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the radiator grille now has the multi-star mesh pattern and a large central star.
Meanwhile, the signature Panamericana-style grille with vertical bars and a large central star is reserved for the Mercedes-AMG variants, such as the CLS 53 example here. A new black-highlight treatment called Night Package 2 is also being introduced, where the radiator grille, the star and model emblems are finished in black chrome.
The iconic rear design with the slim taillamps only sees design changes to the bumper, adding black diffuser-look insert and a silver-chrome trim strip.
A new AMG Dynamic Package Plus package has been introduced for the Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 model. The large brake calipers are painted red, while the interior sees the AMG Performance steering wheel in Nappa leather/Dinamica microfibre combination or alternatively in full Nappa leather. Two additional driving modes are added too- Race and Drift modes.
The new-generation steering wheels from the new facelifted Mercedes-Benz E-Class are used in this CLS-Class facelift, with the sportier twin-spoke design is again reserved for the Mercedes-AMG variants. Two new trim finishes are available which are open-pore brown walnut and high-gloss grey wood and can be had with an increase in seat upholstery configurations.
A new Mercedes-AMG-inspired Limited Edition, of which just 300 examples will be made, adds black 20-inch five-twin-spoke wheels from AMG, the earlier mentioned Night Package 2, the AMG Dynamic Package Plus and racing stripes as standard. It will only be offered in cashmere white magno and selenite grey magno paint finishes.
Petrol powertrain options and outputs remain as before, with the CLS 53 getting the complex new 3.0-litre bi-turbo (exhaust and electric) in-line six that is supported by an EQ Booster starter-alternator to give a combined output of 435 hp and 520 Nm. The entry-level CLS 350 with its 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder packs 299 hp/400 Nm, while the CLS 450 with its 3.0-litre single-turbo in-line six packs 367 hp/500 Nm.
A new four-cylinder diesel engine (CLS 300 d) is added to the line-up and this 2.0-litre engine is integrated with a second-generation 48-volt starter-generator system. Total combined outputs are 265 hp/550 Nm. All engines are paired with nine-speed automatic transmission, with options of 4Matic all-wheel drive. The Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 comes exclusively with a higher performance all-wheel-drive system dubbed 4Matic+.
Did you know that China was the largest sales market for the CLS last year? This is then followed by its neighbour across the Yellow Sea, South Korea. The USA is next and then followed by Germany.
Deliveries to customers will only begin in July, so perhaps, the new facelift Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class will only arrive in Malaysia very late into the year or early 2022.
Up to the end of last year, the Mercedes-Benz CLS 350 was priced at RM553k, the CLS 450 at RM675k while the 435 hp Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 was priced at RM845k in Malaysia.
GALLERY
