The 2012 CLS-Class coupe represents the first major redesign of a car that established an entirely new market segment – the four-door coupe. Defining yet another market segment in an ever-expanding and highly competitive auto industry, the CLS was the first four-door vehicle to combine the emotional appeal and dynamic design of a coupe with the comfort and functionality of a sedan.
Possibly the most eye-catching Mercedes-Benz in the line-up, the distinctive body lines of the 2012 CLS have been accentuated by its new design, and overall, the new CLS is about 1.2 inches longer and 0.3 inches wider than its predecessor. The CLS fits right between the S-Class-based CL coupe and the E-Class coupe to form a family of Mercedes coupes that makes efficient use of existing chassis and powertrain layouts while preserving their unique individual identities.
A Rich Heritage
Coupe models have figured prominently in the rich heritage of Mercedes-Benz styling icons. Of course, the first that comes to mind is the 300SL “Gullwing” of the mid-1950s, but this legendary car was preceded by several coupe models – notably the 1936 Type 380 and the elegant 300S of the early 1950s. Several four-door cars of the 1930s had noticeably coupe-like lines and are considered by some to be CLS ancestors – namely the long-wheelbase 200 and 290 “Streamliners.” Starting with the 220S “Ponton” in 1956, a procession of gorgeous Mercedes-Benz coupes based on early E-Class and S-Class sedans graced the next several decades. Collectively, these cars set the stage for the emergence of distinct coupe classes such as the CLK and the larger CL-Class.
2011 Market Launch in the U.S.
When it hits the U.S. market in June 2011, the 2012 CLS line will offer a choice of two exciting models, both powered by new biturbo, direct-injection V8 engines. The 4.6-liter CLS550 engine produces 402 horsepower and 443 lb-ft. of torque, and the high-performance CLS63 AMG model is powered by a 5.5-liter version of the new V8 that’s rated at 518 hp and 516 lb.-ft of torque.
While both CLS models are fitted with seven-speed automatic transmissions, the CLS63 AMG features an MCT (multi-clutch technology) sports transmission with an innovative start-up clutch that replaces the conventional torque converter. Providing the direct feedback of a manual transmission with the total convenience of an automatic, the MCT transmission offers impressive versatility and faster shift times.
A full array of standard Mercedes safety technology includes PRE-SAFE, ABS anti-lock brakes with Brake Assist, ATTENTION ASSIST, traction control and the ESP electronic stability control. DISTRONIC PLUS with PRE-SAFE Brake is optionally available, as well as Active Blind Spot Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist.
EXTERIOR
Sweeping Lines and High-Tension Forms
The newly refined proportions of the CLS coupe include a bolder nose design and sportier stance. Its muscular shape is characterized by a sleek, sweeping silhouette – a timeless coupe form – that emphasizes a look of energy and power. At the same time, its graceful roofline flows into the C-pillar to form a dramatic arch that spans the entire body. Subtle interplay between taut lines and naturally rounded forms – a hallmark of modern Mercedes- Benz design – is highlighted on the CLS by its arching profile, sculpted rear fenders and overhangs at the front and rear that elongate the contours of its sophisticated shape.
Aerodynamics
The CLS slips through the air with little resistance, thanks to an impressive drag coefficient of 0.28 – three points better than the processor model. This is attributable not only to its sleek, low body shape but also special underbody paneling, new outside mirror housings and
improved contouring of the front and rear aprons and trunk lid. While the wheels of a test car remain static in most wind tunnels, Mercedes uses two conveyor belts to drive the wheels, allowing engineers to study the real-world influence of turning wheels on drag and lift forces. Their findings influenced the shape and structure of the underfloor paneling and the wheel spoilers.
AMG Touches for the CLS63 AMG
The CLS63 AMG is easily distinguished by its deep front apron incorporating distinctive side air vents with black grilles that are flanked by eye-catching LED daytime running lights. Its unique front grille also incorporates a large Mercedes-Benz star and a single lamella grille slat with a black accent. At the rear, the new AMG model includes an integrated lip spoiler on the trunk lid that helps reduce high-speed lift at the rear by around 26 percent as well as black air diffuser between its dual twin exhaust tips.
Seeing In The Rain
Attention to aerodynamic efficiency also yields gains for wet-weather visibility at both the windshield and rear window. Aluminum channels in the A-pillars help direct rain from the windshield onto the roof, where it flows into a drainage channel between the roof and the rear window weatherstrip. The driver’s side windshield wiper has a fixed axis of rotation, while the passenger-side wiper follows an eccentric sweep that enables it to clear an even larger area.
Instead of the articulated joints used on conventional wiper blades, the Mercedes aero wipers consist of a one-piece blade with integral leaf springs and an aero spoiler. This design provides better wiping, less wind resistance and a reduced tendency to ice up in cold weather. A standard rain sensor located on the windshield regulates the windshield wipers depending on the intensity of the rain. When the wipers are turned off, both wiper arms rest on heating elements in the base of the windshield that come on at low temperatures. The windshield washing system uses three electrically heated water nozzles.
A high-pressure jet wash also cleans the headlight lenses. Under each headlight, a telescoping arm with twin nozzles is extended by water pressure, and after use, springs pull the arms back into the bumper.
Standard Bi-Xenon HID Lights
Standard bi-xenon high-intensity gas-discharge headlights (HID) provide CLS drivers with an extra margin of night visibility over conventional halogen lights. The bi-xenon headlight modules have two “eyes” – the outer one for low and high beams, while the inner one is an LED running light. The turn signal is an array of LED lights that wraps around the assembly in the shape of a “C.” The beams are self-leveling to ensure proper aim, even when the car pitches during braking or acceleration, and regardless of vehicle loading.
The World’s First Active LED Headlights
Optional full LED headlights are yet another technological first from Mercedes-Benz. The light-emitting diodes provide excellent white light that use significantly less electrical power and last longer than conventional headlights. LED turn signals are located at the top of the new lighting assembly, and in the middle, a perimeter LED light encircles the low beam array in the shape of the letter “C,” creating a distinctive look during night driving.
The high beam is located in the bottom of the assembly, and a dramatic row of LED daytime
running lights sits below in the bumper. Although high-tech LED lights produce less heat
than other lights, small fans are used to ensure the LED clusters stay cool, and the warm air
is circulated to help defrost the lenses in cold weather.
Lights That See Around Corners
CLS lights also feature active-curve technology, in which the headlights actually turn about 15 degrees to each side with the steering wheel to light up each approaching curve. Adapting its response to vehicle speed as well, active-curve lights allow the driver to see about 80 feet further around a long curve than fixed lights!
In addition, separate cornering lights turn on at low speeds whenever the headlights are on and the turn signal is operated, or the steering wheel is turned. Each cornering light illuminates one side of the vehicle to an angle of about 65 degrees and a distance of up to 40 feet. These lights are designed to fade in and out, giving the human eye time to adjust.
Adaptive Highbeam Assist
A windshield-mounted camera can detect both headlights and taillights, then softly and automatically transitions between high and low beams to avoid dazzling other drivers. With this system, the range of the headlights can be infinitely varied from 220 feet to up to 1,000 feet.
Rear LED Lights, Too
The rear light housings incorporate LED taillights, turn signals, brake lights and side markers, with conventional backup lights in the center of the housings. An LED center brake light is mounted in the bottom of the rear window, and an LED rear fog light is recessed in the bumper.
Free-Standing Mirrors
With a nod to the motorsports world, the CLS comes with free-standing outside mirrors rather than the usual triangular modules. An extra turn signal indicator is built into each mirror, and if the car is equipped with the optional Blind Spot Assist system, the mirror also incorporates a small warning triangle. The outside mirrors are auto-dimming and electrically heated in cold weather.
INTERIOR
Those sweeping exterior lines continue right into the CLS interior, even visually linking the dash and the doors to the rear of the vehicle. The center console and transmission tunnel merge toward the rear, deftly dividing the two rear seats.
Larger outside dimensions mean more room inside the new CLS. In particular, there’s 0.8 inches more shoulder room in front and 0.5 inches in back, while there’s 0.3 inches more elbow room up front and 0.8 inches in the back seat.
Large rear doors are by far the most striking feature of the new coupe-like model. The rear doors represent tangible added value that complements its comfortable rear seating area. Leather and wood cover most of the interior surfaces, with natural-grain leather and a choice of wood trimming the dash.
Flowing Lines From the Outside In
The flowing lines of the dashboard are complemented by its surface, made from a soft-touch polyurethane skin sprayed onto the base material to provide a luxurious feel and high-quality appearance. This production technique enables a smoother integration of such elements as air outlets into the surface and eliminates unattractive panel seams. Even the passenger-side front air bag cover has an invisible seam.
The dashboard itself has a sound-dampening design and is insulated at the front to prevent engine noise from entering the passenger compartment. Cable and wire openings between the interior and the engine compartment have airtight seals to eliminate so-called sound bridges.
A steel cross member forms a strong anchor for the dashboard and its components. The radio, automatic climate control, instrument cluster and steering column are all attached to this solid structure, which both minimizes vibration and helps achieve low noise levels inside the new CLS.
New Cockpit Design
Looking through the steering wheel, a three-tube instrument cluster includes an analog speedometer in the center that incorporates a versatile color display. The left tube houses analog gauges for fuel level and coolant temperature, while an analog tachometer is on the right. A large display for the COMAND system sits atop a sweeping console, with an analog clock below it, flanked by fresh air vents. Next is a panel of switches for features such as heated seats, hazard warning lights or PARKTRONIC. Below the switches is a panel for the climate control system. The COMAND central controller – a rotary push-button similar to a computer mouse – is located between the seats, along with a large double cupholder and a stowage compartment that incorporates a 12-volt socket, an audio AUX-IN jack and the optional iPod-MP3 media interface.
The AMG Interior
Entering the cabin of the new CLS63 AMG, the driver is greeted by AMG door sill panels and AMG sport pedals with rubber studs – both in brushed stainless steel. When the door is opened, the three-dimensional TFT display in the speedometer welcomes the driver with a striking AMG logo.
The AMG menus include a “Warm Up” mode with oil and coolant temperature, while “Set Up” indicates the current ESP mode, the suspension setting (Comfort or Sport) and the transmission mode (“C,” “S”, “S+”, “M”). In “RACE,” a race timer is ready to record race track lap times.
A special AMG DRIVE UNIT on the console is angled toward the driver for easy access. With its E-SELECT shift lever in the center, the unit includes controls to choose the MCT sports transmission modes, ESP functions, the suspension setup and AMG drive modes. A park lock can be engaged by touching the “P” button.
In Command with COMAND
COMAND features a seven-inch TFT color display screen and a set of easy-to-use controls for the audio system, which includes AM/FM/weatherband/satellite/HD digital radio, Bluetooth, MP3 capability with Music Register, a PCMCIA card slot and GPS satellite navigation. The system also includes a six-disc CD-DVD player that’s connected to the Gracenote database, which allows the system to display the artist’s name, music genre, track titles and lengths. The navigation computer uses its own separate hard drive for the map database that covers all of North America.
An optional rear-view camera recessed in the trunk lid displays the area behind the vehicle in the COMAND screen whenever reverse is engaged. Improved optics minimizes the usual fish-eye view, and static lines projected on the screen make it easier to park and maneuver, for example, over hilly terrain.
Sound Studio On Wheels
A standard harman/kardon Logic 7 digital surround-sound system with Dolby Surround 5.1 uses two 610-watt amplifiers to power 14 speakers and a sub-woofer for a luxurious soundstudio listening experience. All amplifier channels have individually tuned frequency response, and the system includes speed-dependent volume control.
Antennas for the radio, GPS navigation, mbrace system and telephone are mounted on the roof in front of the rear window. A second radio antenna is built into the rear window glass, and phase diversity within the audio system chooses the best signal.
Dual-Zone Climate Control
Dual-zone climate control regulates temperature separately for each front seat. The system registers the degree of sunlight and automatically adjusts temperature and airflow settings accordingly.
A multifunction sensor monitors humidity and pollutant levels in the ambient air. If nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide levels in the air exceed a certain threshold, the climate control system automatically switches over to air recirculation mode when using the activated charcoal filter.
When air conditioning isn’t needed, a new sensor monitors possible windshield fogging and turns on the AC compressor if dehumidification is necessary. In this way, the compressor operates only when needed, to improve fuel mileage and minimize the “dry eyes” syndrome.
Multifunction Display
A power-adjustable steering wheel provides the driver with illuminated rocker buttons that are a great way to control many of the car’s comfort and convenience features. Two button clusters can access and adjust more than 50 different functions: trip odometers and trip computer with fuel tank range; audio system (station seek, CD track and volume); recall messages for vehicle diagnostics; clock; interior light dimming; language.
The wheel-mounted button clusters and the multifunction display in the center of the speedometer allow the driver to scroll forward or back between a number of “windows” and sub-menus within each window. The display can show a selected radio station, a personal phone book or navigation instructions. It can also list details of technical faults and, if required, instructions on how to proceed, all in plain-text form.
First-Class Seating
Standard 14-way adjustable power seats incorporate a new four-way power lumbar adjustment. The familiar Mercedes-Benz pictogram seat controls are conveniently located on the door panel. Seat positions (and steering wheel and exterior mirror position) can be stored in memory for up to three people. Using the two keys that come with the car, two different drivers can program their own specific settings.
The system provides an added convenience when exiting the car – when the SmartKey is removed, the steering wheel automatically moves upward and the seat moves rearward to provide more room for exiting. Both the seat and the steering wheel return to their original positions as the driver is seated and the SmartKey is inserted.
AMG Sport Seats
The CLS63 AMG is equipped with AMG sport seats finished in soft nappa leather with cross stitching, with the two contoured seats in the rear designed to match the front seats. Everything the occupants touch is finished in leather, including the steering wheel, shift handle and door panels.
Heated, Ventilated Seats and More
As part of a Premium 1 option package, the CLS offers active ventilated seats, an option first introduced in the S-Class. Five mini fans inside each of the front seats draw air from the footwell – cool air in the summer and warm air in the winter. Air passes through special plastic ducting and permeable fabric to flow evenly from the perforated leather seat upholstery so that seats heated by the summer sun can cool down fast. The airflow can be adjusted to one of three speeds.
Multi-Contour Seats
An optional multi-contour driver’s seat can be ordered with a Drive-Dynamic feature, which takes full advantage of its adjustability. Whenever the car begins a turn, the outside bolster of the seatback is inflated to provide extra lateral support. The Drive-Dynamic feature uses signals about steering angle, lateral acceleration and vehicle speed to determine how much and how quickly to inflate the side bolster.
KEYLESS GO
The KEYLESS GO system uses several transceiver antennas in the car to sense the presence of the SmartKey fob. As long as the driver has the fob in a pocket or bag, gently pulling one of the door handles unlocks the car.
The driver starts the car by depressing the brake pedal and touching a button on the dash. KEYLESS GO also makes it impossible to lock the keys in the trunk. If the keys are dropped into the trunk and the lid closed, the lid will automatically pop open in a few seconds.
Parktronic
Parktronic uses a series of ultra-sound sensors in the front and rear bumpers to detect obstacles in the system’s field of view. The system provides audible warnings and displays the proximity of obstacles using bar graph displays – one on the center dashboard for the front and another for the rear that’s visible in the rear-view mirror.
Active Parking Assist
The sonar-based Parktronic and the new electric steering assist work together to provide Active Parking Assist, which makes parallel parking a stress-free cinch. Below about 20 mph, a “P” icon appears in the dash to show that an electronic parking space search is active. Whenever an adequate-size parking space is found, an arrow appears next to the “P” icon. When reverse is engaged and the driver confirms Active Parking Assist is desired, the system initiates automatic steering as the driver controls acceleration and braking at speeds below 7 mph. The system allows two forward corrections, after which the wheels are straightened.
Electronic Trunk Closer
The CLS offers an optional remote electronic trunk closer. Pressing a button on the driver’s door or the remote control opens the trunk lid gently by means of an electric motor and two springs. Pressing a button on the inside of the lid or on the driver’s door pulls the lid downward. A servo locking mechanism then latches the lid completely. For safety, the lid is designed to stop closing if light force is applied before it latches.