Mercedes-Benz has long been synonymous with luxury, innovation, and groundbreaking design. In 2003, they carved a new niche in the automotive world with the CLS, a vehicle that daringly fused the elegance of a coupe with the practicality of a sedan. Fast forward to 2019, and the third generation Mercedes-Benz CLS emerges, solidifying its position as a trendsetter. This new iteration not only retains the iconic CLS genes but elevates them, showcasing a more potent blend of sporty dynamism, cutting-edge technology, and unparalleled comfort. The 2019 CLS is not just an evolution; it’s a revolution in the four-door coupe segment.
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS makes a bold statement with its exterior, pioneering a new design language for Mercedes-Benz. Characterized by clean contours and minimalist lines, the design ethos is both modern and timeless. The grille, widening towards the base, coupled with a forward-slanting front section, immediately commands attention. Wide, low-set headlights and distinctive two-section taillamps further accentuate its athletic stance. This design is a nod to the original CLS, a vehicle that itself became a design icon, while confidently striding into the future. The 2019 model exudes self-assured sportiness, a hallmark of Mercedes-Benz coupes, promising an emotional driving experience wrapped in thrilling technology and long-distance comfort. For the first time, this four-door coupe expands its practicality by comfortably seating five passengers.
Exterior Design: Puristic Sportiness Embodying Coupe Archetype
Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer Daimler AG, aptly describes the new CLS as a “design icon as the archetype of the four-door coupe.” He emphasizes the design philosophy of “hot & cool,” where the essence of the CLS DNA is distilled to puristic beauty, emotionally charged. The front end is particularly striking, featuring the signature diamond grille of Mercedes-Benz coupes, adorned with a single louver. The grille’s silhouette broadens downwards, echoing the design cues of the Mercedes-AMG GT. The hood seamlessly integrates into the body surfaces, creating a flush, sculpted appearance. The extremely flat and wide headlamps, angled inwards, dynamically trace the grille’s contour, enhancing the vehicle’s assertive gaze.
The side profile is defined by a high, arching waistline and a low, sporty greenhouse, framed by frameless side windows. The forward-leaning front is reminiscent of a shark’s nose, visually elongated by the fully inset hood. In line with the sensual purity design philosophy, lines and edges are significantly reduced, allowing generously arched surfaces to take center stage. The muscular rear shoulder line flows gracefully into the flat rear, a signature CLS trait. Coupe-esque elements such as the two-section taillamps, reflectors integrated into the rear bumper, the license plate recess in the bumper, and the prominent Mercedes star at the trunk lid’s center, all contribute to its distinctive rear aesthetic. The LED taillamps, mirroring the headlamps, possess a crystalline appearance and create a three-dimensional depth effect. Their low positioning amplifies the vehicle’s width, further accentuating its sporty stance.
Interior Design: Consistent Color Scheme and Digital Cockpit
Stepping inside the 2019 CLS Coupe reveals a luxurious interior that mirrors the sensual and flowing exterior contours. The cabin is defined by clear, fundamental lines and an exceptional level of finish, evident in the high-grade materials used throughout. The sporty, width-emphasizing cockpit, combined with carefully selected color schemes, creates an expansive sense of spaciousness. The interior design flows seamlessly from the front to the rear doors, creating a wave-like impression that opens up at the B-pillars, enhancing the feeling of openness and airiness. A novel highlight in ambient lighting is the illuminated air vents, reminiscent of jet aircraft turbines, adding a touch of futuristic elegance. The seats, with their hand-finished appearance, further contribute to the sporty yet refined ambiance.
The CLS450 model boasts a high-resolution 12.3-inch central display as standard. Optionally, drivers can opt for a dual 12.3-inch display setup, creating a widescreen cockpit effect under a continuous glass cover. This merges the instrument cluster and media display into a single, visually stunning unit. The center console, available in open-pored or high-gloss wood trim, appears to float, adding to the modern and sophisticated feel. In this fully digital cockpit, drivers can customize the displayed information to suit their needs and driving situation. Three distinct display styles – Classic, Sport, and Progressive – can be selected to match personal preferences, mood, or interior appointments. The ambient lighting system offers an extensive palette of 64 colors, extending to the air vents. A thoughtful touch is the color-changing air vents, which briefly illuminate in red or blue to indicate warmer or cooler temperature adjustments, respectively. The seats, exclusively designed for the 2019 CLS series, feature high-quality piping. The rear outer seats mirror the design of the front seats, creating a sporty, individual-seat impression, even as the CLS Coupe now accommodates five passengers. Practicality is enhanced with 40/20/40 split-folding rear backrests.
ENERGIZING Comfort: Wellness for Long Journeys
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS elevates passenger well-being with ENERGIZING Comfort, a system that intelligently integrates various vehicle comfort features. By harmonizing the climate control (including fragrance), seats (heating, ventilation, massage), surface and steering wheel heating, ambient lighting, and musical atmospheres, ENERGIZING Comfort creates tailored wellness setups to match the driver’s mood and needs. This holistic approach aims to enhance both well-being and driver performance. Six pre-configured programs are available: Refresh/Freshness, Warmth, Vitality, Joy, Comfort/Well-Being, and Training (featuring muscle relaxation, muscle activation, and balance exercises).
Intelligent Drive: S-Class Technology in the CLS
Mirroring the technological prowess of the S-Class, the 2019 CLS generation is equipped with the latest in driving assistance systems. The Driver Assistance Package provides route-based speed adaptation and comprehensive driver support. Standard safety features include Active Brake Assist, ATTENTION ASSIST, and the PRE-SAFE® occupant protection system. New standard inclusion is PRE-SAFE® Sound, which prepares human hearing for potential accident noise in collision risk scenarios.
The optional Driver Assistance Package further enhances safety and convenience with 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 proactively adjusting speed for bends and junctions. Active Lane Change Assist also sees significant improvements. Enhanced camera and radar systems provide the new CLS with superior awareness of surrounding traffic. For the first time, map and navigation data are utilized to anticipate driving behavior. The “Assistance Graphics” menu in the instrument cluster provides clear visual feedback on selected assistance functions and system responses. Intuitive icons are displayed both on-screen and in the head-up display. All driver assistance functions are now conveniently controlled via the steering wheel. In stop-and-go traffic, the system allows for extended stops up to 3 seconds, after which the CLS automatically resumes movement, following the traffic flow.
The optional LED Intelligent Light System features advanced LED headlamps and Ultra Wide Beam high beams, significantly enhancing road and surround illumination. Adaptive Highbeam Assist, part of the LED Intelligent Light System, enables drivers to utilize main beams continuously without dazzling other road users, intelligently switching off LEDs in high beam modules when oncoming or preceding vehicles are detected while maintaining main beam illumination in other areas.
Suspension and Performance
The 2019 CLS features a four-link front and five-link rear suspension system. A dynamically tuned steel comfort suspension is standard, while the optionally available AIR BODY CONTROL air suspension offers improved adjustability and adaptive damping. Drivers can tailor vehicle characteristics from comfortable to sporty using the driving mode selector.
Powering the CLS450 and CLS450 4MATIC models is a brand-new, systematically electrified in-line six-cylinder engine with EQ Boost (integrated starter/generator) and a 48-volt onboard electrical system. This innovative powertrain delivers 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, supplemented by an additional 21 hp and substantial torque boost via EQ Boost for short durations. The EQ Boost system assists the combustion engine during acceleration, enables engine-off “sailing,” and recharges the battery through high-efficiency recuperation, leading to fuel savings previously exclusive to high-voltage hybrid technology. The new in-line six-cylinder engine achieves the performance of an eight-cylinder engine with significantly reduced fuel consumption. The CLS450 also comes standard with a particulate filter. The CLS450 accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.1 seconds (4.8 seconds for the 4MATIC version).
Edition 1: Exclusive Launch Model
For those seeking ultimate exclusivity, the Edition 1 model of the 2019 CLS offers heightened luxury with numerous standard premium features. The COPPER ART interior concept includes black pearl nappa leather seats with diamond-design center sections and copper-colored accents. Copper-colored contrasting topstitching adorns the center console, seats, armrests, dashboard, and door linings. A unique diamond grille with matt chrome pins and a copper-colored shimmer on the louver further distinguishes the Edition 1. The exterior builds upon the AMG Line, featuring standard LED Intelligent Light headlamps and 19-inch multi-spoke AMG light-alloy wheels in black with a high-sheen rim flange. “Edition 1” lettering on the front fenders identifies this special model. Interior highlights include a dashboard support lined in black nappa leather, Natural Grain Black Ash wood trim, an IWC analogue clock with an exclusive dial, a high-gloss black vehicle key, and “Edition 1” badged floor mats.
Conclusion
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS stands as a testament to Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to pushing boundaries in design, technology, and luxury. It refines the concept of the four-door coupe, offering a compelling blend of sporty performance, opulent comfort, and advanced technology, all wrapped in a visually stunning and emotionally resonant package. For those seeking a vehicle that transcends the ordinary, the 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS delivers an extraordinary driving experience.
