Third-gen Mercedes-Benz CLS four-door coupe debuts in CLS 350 and CLS 450 models in Singapore for $336k and $386k, with COE
Text & Photos: Derryn Wong
SINGAPORE
The all-new, third-generation Mercedes-Benz CLS debuted here tonight at the Singapore Wine Vault on 6 Fishery Port Road at a launch attended by 300 guests.

The CLS four-door coupe lives up to its name with a new, elegant design that features all of the modern Mercedes design hallmarks. Like the new A-Class there’s a broad air-intake-like grille with fewer louvres, plus triangular head and taillights.

As before the CLS runs on similar underpinnings to the current E-Class, which is the Modular Rear Architecture (MRA) also found in the C-Class (recently facelifted), S-Class (also recently facelifted), and E-Class coupe (launched this year).


Besides the new lines, it’s worth noting that all variants of the CLS are now mild hybrids, packing a 48V electrical system onboard, with optimised combustion engines mated to the newest nine-speed automatic gearbox.

That allows for mild, additional boost from the electric starter-generator (what Mercedes dubs EQ boost), recuperation to charge the small on-board battery, and engine-off coasting at cruising speeds.


CarBuyer has already tested the CLS 450 (above) and Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 models but the two variants that kick off the model line-up here are the CLS 350 and CLS 450.

The CLS 350 is powered by a 2.0- litre inline four-cylinder turbocharged engine with 299hp and 400Nm of torque, plus an added 14hp from EQ Boost. 0-100km/h is done in 6.0-seconds, with a top speed of 250km/h. Efficiency figures ring in at 7.7L/100km and 173g/km CO2.

The CLS 450 is the first Mercedes in Singapore to have the new-generation inline-six engine under its hood. First anticipated as part of the S-Class facelift, the luxury limousines soldiered on with the current V6 power.

The inline-six engine, with 2,999cc displacement, 367hp and 500Nm of torque, has twin-turbochargers and has been built with mild hybrid systems in mind, as well as other benefits over the V6 layout as mentioned in our review.

The CLS 450 is an all-wheel drive 4MATIC model, with its EQ Boost rated at 22hp. That, with the inline six engine, is good enough to propel the machine from 0-100km/h in a properly rapid 4.8 seconds, on to a 250km/h limited top speed. Fuel consumption is 8.1L/100km, and CO2 emissions are 185g/km. Both CLS 350 and CLS 450 have a VES band of C1 ($10k penalty).

Both models feature a wide spread of standard equipment: AMG Line exterior and interior packages, Multibeam LED headlights, Agility Control suspension (15mm lower) and a sliding sunroof.

The now familiar dual HD displays (2×12.3-inch) span the cockpit and the COMAND infotainment system, now with Apple Carplay integration and wireless charging.

The elegant, curving interior sees open-pore wood finish and ‘anemone’ like airvents first seen in the closely-related E-Class Coupe. Safety systems onboard are blind spot assist, active bonnet pedestrian impact mitigation, tyre pressure monitoring, Active Brake Assist and 360-degree view camera.

The CLS 450 has 20-inch wheels, the more advanced COMAND Online infotainment, three-zone climate control, a sports exhaust system (a $1,700 option on the CLS 350), and Lane Tracking Package with Active Lane Keeping Assist.
Optional equipment includes adaptive cruise control ($4,300), active air suspension ($9,100), and the driving assistance package ($9,100), which is quite worth the outlay as it comes with adaptive cruise, active steering assist, brake assist and cross traffic alert.

The more powerful CLS 53 model is expected at the end of the year, also packing the inline six engine but with 435hp/520Nm, but the same 22hp EQ Boost rating. 0-100km/h in a slightly quicker 4.5 seconds with the same limited top speed. Efficiency is 8.8L/100km and 202g/km CO2.