Mercedes-Benz has long been synonymous with luxury, innovation, and groundbreaking design in the automotive world. In 2003, they once again proved their pioneering spirit by introducing the CLS, a vehicle that carved out a new niche: the four-door coupe. This revolutionary model seamlessly blended the graceful lines and emotional appeal of a coupe with the practicality and comfort of a sedan. Building on this legacy, the 2019 Cls Benz emerged as the third generation, pushing the boundaries of design and technology even further. This article delves into the details of the 2019 CLS Benz, exploring its design philosophy, performance capabilities, luxurious interior, and advanced technology that solidified its position as a leader in its segment.
The 2019 CLS Benz represents a significant step in Mercedes-Benz’s design evolution, embodying their “Sensual Purity” philosophy. This design language is characterized by clean contours, reduced lines, and a focus on elegant surfaces. The 2019 CLS takes this to heart, showcasing a more puristic and emotionally charged aesthetic compared to its predecessors. Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer Daimler AG, aptly described the new CLS as a “design icon” and the “archetype of the four-door coupe,” emphasizing the reduction of its DNA to an “extremely puristic level while emotionally charging its beauty.”
One of the most striking aspects of the 2019 CLS Benz is its front-end design. The diamond grille, a hallmark of Mercedes-Benz coupes, takes center stage with a single louver accentuating its sporty character. The grille’s contour broadens as it descends, drawing a visual parallel to the powerful Mercedes-AMG GT. The hood flows seamlessly into the body surfaces, creating a smooth and cohesive front profile. Flanking the grille are very flat and wide LED headlamps that dynamically slant inwards, further emphasizing the car’s width and assertive stance.
The side profile of the 2019 CLS Benz is equally captivating. The high, arching waistline and the low greenhouse, framed by frameless side windows, contribute to its coupe-like silhouette. The forward-slanting front end, reminiscent of a shark’s nose, elongates the car visually, while the fully inset hood adds to the sleekness. The design philosophy of sensual purity is evident in the generous curves and the significant reduction of sharp lines and edges.
Moving to the rear, the 2019 CLS Benz maintains its muscular shoulder line that smoothly transitions into the flat rear end. The two-section LED taillamps are a signature coupe element, positioned to accentuate the vehicle’s width. The reflectors integrated into the rear bumper, the license plate location also in the bumper, and the centrally positioned Mercedes star on the trunk lid complete the rear design, reinforcing its sporty and elegant character. The LED taillamps themselves are designed with a crystalline appearance, creating a three-dimensional depth effect that adds a touch of sophistication.
Stepping inside the 2019 CLS Benz reveals a luxurious interior that mirrors the sensual and flowing lines of the exterior. The cabin is defined by clear, horizontal lines that enhance the sense of spaciousness. The choice of high-grade materials and the impeccable level of finish are immediately apparent, underscoring Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to quality and craftsmanship.
The cockpit is designed to be sporty and width-accentuated, further contributing to the feeling of generous space. The interior design flows seamlessly from the front to the rear doors, creating a wraparound effect that envelops the occupants. A novel highlight is the illuminated air vents, designed to resemble jet aircraft turbines, which add a touch of modern flair to the ambient lighting system. The seats, newly designed for this model, boast a hand-finished appearance, enhancing the sporty and luxurious ambiance.
The 2019 CLS 450 comes standard with a high-resolution 12.3-inch central display. Optionally, dual 12.3-inch displays can be specified, merging to create a widescreen cockpit under a single glass cover. This fully digital cockpit allows the driver to customize the information displayed according to their preferences and driving situation. Three display styles – Classic, Sport, and Progressive – offer further personalization options to match mood or interior appointments. The ambient lighting system, adjustable in 64 colors and including the air vents, allows for a truly personalized cabin atmosphere. A unique feature of the ambient lighting is its integration with the climate control system; the air vents briefly change color to red or blue to indicate warmer or cooler temperature adjustments.
The seats in the 2019 CLS Benz are not only aesthetically pleasing but also designed for comfort. They feature high-quality piping and the rear outer seats mirror the design of the front seats, creating a sporty individual-seat impression. For the first time, the CLS Coupe offers seating for five passengers, enhancing its practicality. The rear seat backrests can be folded down in a 40/20/40 split configuration, further increasing cargo versatility.
Beyond its stunning design and luxurious interior, the 2019 CLS Benz is packed with advanced technology focused on enhancing comfort, well-being, and safety. The ENERGIZING Comfort system is a standout feature, linking various comfort systems within the vehicle to create a tailored wellness experience. It utilizes the climate control system (including fragrance), seats (heating, ventilation, massage), surface and steering wheel heating, ambient lighting, and musical atmospheres to create specific wellness setups. Six programs are available: Refresh/Freshness, Warmth, Vitality, Joy, Comfort/Well-Being, and Training (with muscle relaxation, activation, and balance exercises).
In terms of driving assistance, the 2019 CLS Benz borrows technology from the flagship S-Class. It comes equipped with the latest generation of driving assistance systems, including route-based speed adaptation and driver support features within the Driver Assistance Package. Standard safety features include Active Brake Assist, ATTENTION ASSIST, and PRE-SAFE® occupant protection system. New standard features also include PRE-SAFE® Sound, which prepares occupants’ hearing for potential accident noise.
The optional Driver Assistance Package further enhances safety and convenience with features like Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, Active Steering Assist, Active Speed Limit Assist, Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function, Evasive Steering Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, PRE-SAFE® PLUS, and PRE-SAFE® Impulse Side. Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC and Active Steering Assist offer enhanced support for maintaining safe distances and steering, even automatically adjusting speed for bends and junctions. Active Lane Change Assist has also been significantly improved. The system utilizes improved camera and radar technology, along with map and navigation data, for a more comprehensive understanding of the driving environment. The “Assistance Graphics” menu in the instrument cluster provides a clear overview of active assistance functions.
For enhanced visibility, the optional LED Intelligent Light System includes advanced LED headlamps and Ultra Wide Beam high beams. The Ultra Wide Beams provide significantly wider road illumination, improving visibility in the surrounding area. Adaptive Highbeam Assist is also integrated, allowing drivers to use main beams without dazzling other road users by selectively dimming LEDs.
Under the hood, the 2019 CLS 450 features a completely new in-line six-cylinder engine. This systematically electrified engine with EQ Boost (integrated starter/generator) and a 48-volt onboard electrical system delivers 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, with an additional 21 hp and torque boost available via EQ Boost for short periods. The EQ Boost system assists the combustion engine during acceleration, enables “sailing” (driving without the combustion engine), and recovers energy through high-efficiency recuperation, improving fuel efficiency. This new engine delivers performance comparable to an eight-cylinder engine with significantly reduced fuel consumption. The CLS 450 achieves 0-60 mph in just 5.1 seconds (4.8 seconds for the 4MATIC version).
To further enhance exclusivity, the 2019 CLS Benz was offered in an Edition 1 model. This special launch edition featured the COPPER ART interior concept with black pearl nappa leather seats with copper-colored accents and stitching, a unique diamond grille with copper-colored shimmer, and AMG Line exterior styling. Special interior features included nappa leather dashboard trim, natural grain black ash wood trim, an IWC analogue clock, and “Edition 1” badging.
In conclusion, the 2019 CLS Benz represents a significant evolution of the four-door coupe concept pioneered by Mercedes-Benz. Its stunning design, luxurious interior, advanced technology, and efficient yet powerful engine solidify its position as a leader in its segment. The 2019 CLS Benz is more than just a car; it’s a statement of style, innovation, and the enduring appeal of Mercedes-Benz engineering and design.
