Mercedes-Benz has long been synonymous with luxury and innovation, and the 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS Class continues this legacy, pioneering a new design language for the brand. This four-door coupe is not just a vehicle; it’s a statement of style and technological advancement, blending the elegance of a coupe with the practicality of a sedan. The 2019 CLS introduces a refreshed design philosophy characterized by sleek contours and minimalist lines, setting it apart in the luxury automotive landscape.
In 2003, Mercedes-Benz revolutionized the automotive world by creating the CLS, a vehicle segment that uniquely merged the dynamic allure of a coupe with the comfort and utility of a sedan. The third generation, the 2019 CLS, doubles down on the groundbreaking spirit of its predecessors, embodying pure CLS DNA with its sweeping waistline, sleek side windows, and low profile. This model marks a significant step in the evolution of Mercedes-Benz’s Sensual Purity design, minimizing sharp edges and lines to create a seamless and contemporary aesthetic that aligns perfectly with the current Mercedes-Benz coupe family.
The heart of the CLS450 and CLS450 4MATIC is a brand-new inline six-cylinder engine, delivering a robust 362 horsepower, further enhanced by a 21 horsepower boost from the integrated starter-generator. This advanced powertrain exemplifies Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to performance and efficiency.
Beyond its sporty performance, the 2019 CLS offers exceptional comfort. Features like AIR BODY CONTROL suspension, ENERGIZING Comfort, and the latest infotainment system with Inductive Wireless Phone Charging and NFC pairing elevate the driving experience to new levels of luxury and convenience.
The standard features of the 2019 CLS are comprehensive and impressive, including AMG body styling, newly designed LED headlights and taillights, 19-inch alloy wheels, a high-resolution 12.3-inch COMAND® display, ambient lighting with illuminated air vents, Car-to-X Communication, and Smartphone Integration. These elements combine to create a vehicle that is as technologically advanced as it is visually stunning.
Exterior Design: Embodiment of Self-Assured Sportiness
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS Class stands as a design icon, embodying the archetype of the four-door coupe. Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer Daimler AG, describes the design philosophy as “hot & cool,” emphasizing the reduction of its DNA to a puristic level while emotionally charging its beauty. This design ethos is evident in every curve and line of the new CLS.
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 towards the base, echoing the design of the Mercedes-AMG GT grille, lending a powerful and assertive stance. The hood seamlessly integrates with the body surfaces, creating a fluid and sculpted appearance. The headlights, very flat and wide with inward-slanting flanks, dynamically trace the grille’s contour, enhancing the vehicle’s sleek and focused expression.
The side profile is defined by a high, arching waistline and a sporty, low greenhouse, complemented by frameless side windows. The forward-slanting front end, reminiscent of a shark’s nose, and the fully inset hood contribute to a longer, more dynamic visual length. The design philosophy of sensual purity is further exemplified by the reduced lines and edges, with generously arched surfaces that convey a sense of fluidity and motion.
The muscular rear shoulder line, a hallmark of the CLS, gracefully merges into the flat rear end. Characteristic coupe design elements include the two-section taillights, reflectors integrated into the rear bumper, the license plate positioned in the bumper, and the iconic Mercedes star centrally located on the trunk lid.
The LED taillights, mirroring the headlamps, possess a crystalline appearance and generate a three-dimensional effect. Their low positioning visually widens the vehicle, emphasizing its sporty and grounded stance on the road.
Interior Elegance: Widescreen Digital Instrument Cluster and Luxurious Ambiance
The interior of the 2019 CLS Coupe is a sanctuary of luxury, characterized by clean lines and flowing contours that mirror the sensual exterior. The meticulous selection of high-grade materials and the exceptional level of finish underscore Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to quality and craftsmanship.
The sporty, width-accentuated cockpit and harmonious color combinations create a sense of expansive spaciousness. The wave-like design theme seamlessly flows from the front to the rear doors, creating an open and inviting atmosphere, particularly enhanced at the B-pillars. A striking highlight of the ambient lighting is the illuminated air vents, reminiscent of jet aircraft turbines, adding a touch of modern sophistication. The hand-finished appearance of the seats further reinforces the sporty yet luxurious ambiance of the cabin.
The CLS450 features a high-resolution 12.3-inch central display and offers an option for dual 12.3-inch displays merging into a widescreen cockpit beneath a continuous glass cover. This creates a visually stunning and technologically advanced interface. The center console, available in open-pored or high-gloss wood, appears to float, adding to the interior’s modern and airy feel.
In the fully digital cockpit, drivers can customize the displayed information based on their needs and driving situation. Three distinct display styles—Classic, Sport, and Progressive—allow for personalization to match individual preferences, moods, or interior appointments.
The ambient lighting system offers 64 individually adjustable colors, extending to the air vents. This system intelligently uses color to communicate temperature adjustments, briefly changing to red for warmer and blue for cooler settings.
The seats are newly designed specifically for the 2019 CLS, featuring high-quality piping. The rear outer seats mirror the design of the front seats, creating a sporty, individual seat impression, even though the CLS Coupe now accommodates five passengers for the first time. The backrests offer practical flexibility with a 40/20/40 split-folding capability.
ENERGIZING Comfort: Wellness for Long Drives
ENERGIZING Comfort is a sophisticated system that harmonizes various vehicle comfort features to enhance driver well-being. It integrates the climate control system (including fragrance), seat functions (heating, ventilation, massage), surface and steering wheel heating, lighting, and musical atmospheres to create tailored wellness setups based on the driver’s mood and needs. This holistic approach aims to boost both well-being and performance levels during drives.
Six pre-configured programs are available within ENERGIZING Comfort:
- Refresh / Freshness
- Warmth
- Vitality
- Joy
- Comfort / Well-Being
- Training (includes muscle relaxation, muscle activation, and balance exercises, each with multiple modes).
Intelligent Drive: S-Class Technology in the CLS
The 2019 CLS generation shares advanced technology with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the brand’s flagship. It incorporates the latest generation of driving assistance systems, including route-based speed adaptation and comprehensive driver support through the Driver Assistance Package.
Standard driver assistance and safety systems include Active Brake Assist, ATTENTION ASSIST, and the PRE-SAFE® occupant protection system. A newly standard feature is PRE-SAFE® Sound, which prepares human hearing for potential accident noise in collision risk scenarios.
The optional Driver Assistance Package significantly 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, with automatic speed adjustment for bends and junctions. Active Lane Change Assist has also been notably improved.
Enhanced camera and radar systems provide the 2019 CLS with a superior awareness of surrounding traffic, utilizing map and navigation data to inform driving behavior for the first time.
The “Assistance Graphics” menu in the instrument cluster provides a clear overview of activated assistance functions and system responses. Intuitive icons convey information on-screen and in the head-up display, with all functions conveniently controllable from the steering wheel.
In stop & go traffic on motorways, the system allows for stops up to 3 seconds, after which the CLS automatically resumes movement and follows the traffic flow.
The LED Intelligent Light System, optionally available with advanced LED headlamps and Ultra Wide Beam high beams, maximizes road and surround area illumination. Ultra Wide Beams significantly broaden the light distribution, enhancing the already exceptional lighting performance of the LED Intelligent Light System. Adaptive Highbeam Assist, also part of this system, enables continuous main beam usage without dazzling other road users by selectively dimming LEDs in response to oncoming or preceding vehicles.
Suspension and Dynamics
The 2019 CLS features a four-link front suspension and a five-link rear suspension. A dynamically tuned steel comfort suspension is standard. The optional AIR BODY CONTROL air suspension, with improved adjustable and adaptive damping, allows drivers to customize vehicle characteristics from comfortable to sporty via the driving mode switch.
New Engine: EQ Boost and 48-Volt Technology
The third-generation Mercedes-Benz CLS is powered by a completely new in-line six-cylinder engine, marking a significant advancement in powertrain technology.
The new, systematically electrified in-line six-cylinder engine with EQ Boost (integrated starter/generator) and a 48-volt onboard electrical system powers the CLS450 and CLS450 4MATIC models. It delivers 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, with an additional 21 hp and substantial torque available via EQ Boost for short periods. The integrated electric motor, known as EQ Boost, supports the combustion engine during acceleration, enables engine-off “sailing,” and recharges the battery through high-efficiency recuperation. This innovative system achieves fuel savings previously associated with high-voltage hybrid technology, delivering the performance of an eight-cylinder engine with significantly reduced fuel consumption. The CLS450 is equipped with a particulate filter as standard, reflecting Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to environmental responsibility.
CLS450 / CLS450 4MATIC Engine Specifications:
| Feature | CLS450 / CLS450 4MATIC |
|---|---|
| Number of cylinders/arrangement | 6/in-line |
| Displacement (cc) | 2,999 |
| Rated output (hp) | 362 hp @ 5,500 – 6,100 rpm |
| Add. output from EQ Boost (hp) | 21 hp |
| Rated torque (lb-ft) | 369 lb-ft @ 1,600 – 4,000 rpm |
| Acceleration 0-60 mph (sec) | 5.1 / 4.8 |
Edition 1: An Exclusive Launch Model
The exclusivity of the 2019 CLS is further amplified by the Edition 1 model. This special launch edition includes numerous luxurious standard features, such as the COPPER ART interior concept. This design features seats in black pearl nappa leather with diamond-design center sections and copper-colored accents, complemented by copper-colored contrasting topstitching throughout the interior—on the center console, seats, armrests, dashboard, and door linings. The exterior is distinguished by a unique diamond grille with matt chrome pins and a louver with a copper-colored shimmer.
The Edition 1 exterior is based on the AMG Line and includes 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 clearly identifies this special model.
Key interior highlights of the Edition 1 include:
- Dashboard support lined in black nappa leather
- Center console and dashboard trim in Natural grain black ash wood with matching center console
- IWC analogue clock with exclusive dial face
- Vehicle key in high-gloss black with high-sheen chrome surround
- Floor mats with “Edition 1” badge and copper-colored piping
- Chrome “Edition 1” lettering on the center console and “Edition 1” display on the welcome screen.
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS Class represents a significant leap forward in automotive design, technology, and luxury. It is a vehicle that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of discerning drivers, offering a unique blend of performance, comfort, and style.
