Goodwood debut for upgraded Mercedes CLS

Mercedes-Benz's headline act at the Goodwood Festival of Speed later this month will be its upgraded CLS sedan and Shooting Brake.

As we reported yesterday, the updated CLS pair is adopting multibeam headlights already available in the E-Class and S-Class. But the revised CLS also scores the 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic transmission, increased output engines, networked driver assist systems and a multimedia system with Internet connectivity.

Both the sedan and Shooting Brake variants are now standard with LED headlights, adding the multibeam system as an option.

"The first LED headlamps with all the adaptive functions of the Intelligent Light System have been available to our customers since 2010 in the CLS", says Dr Thomas Weber, Member of the Daimler Board of Management responsible for Group Research and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars Development.

"With MULTIBEAM LED technology the headlamps now are able to react even more quickly, more precisely and individually to changing traffic conditions. On top of this, there are expanded functions of which a driver will become directly aware, such as anticipatory camera-based curve recognition with the active light function. With such features Mercedes-Benz once again is demonstrating its role as an innovation leader in the automobile industry."

While the new headlight technology is the big news for the revised CLS, a new range of engines and the 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic transmission are also key features. All the engines, including the new CLS 220 BlueTEC diesel, are Euro6 compliant. The new diesel combines twin-stage turbocharging with common-rail injection for an output of 125kW and 400Nm. For the diesel powerplant under the bonnet of the CLS 250 BlueTEC, power and torque peak at 150kW and 500Nm respectively. A third diesel offering is the V6 engine of the CLS 350 BlueTEC, developing 190kW and 620Nm.

On the petrol side of the ledger, the CLS 400 is powered by a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 producing 245kW and 480Nm. According to Benz, this output is 20kW and 110Nm higher than the naturally-aspirated CLS 350 the new variant replaces. There's still a CLS 500 in the range – mustering 300kW and 600Nm.

Most variants will be offered with the new nine-speed automatic, which Benz claims "builds on the strengths of the 7G-TRONIC PLUS" whilst contributing improved shift quality, responsiveness and fuel economy.

New safety and driver assistance systems include Collision Prevention Assist Plus, Distronic Plus with Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot, BAS Plus with Cross-Traffic Assist, Pre-Safe Brake with pedestrian detection, Pre-Safe Plus, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Traffic Sign Assist, Active Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC including lateral parking manoeuvres and a 360° camera.

The CLS comes with a new generation of multimedia infotainment system, with the display unit measuring eight inches. Online apps including Facebook, Weather, Google Local Search with StreetView and Panoramio, Facebook can be accessed while the vehicle is on the move, provided the system is paired to a Bluetooth-capable phone.

The infotainment system can playback audio and video sources wirelessly (via Bluetooth) or by USB cable, SD card, and optical disk. Satellite navigation facilities have been upgraded, with a Garmin Map Pilot system for the basic Audio 20-equipped cars, or a more sophisticated system – featuring 3D graphics and a hard disk – integrated with the Comand Online option.

Mercedes-Benz Australia advises that the CLS is scheduled for a local launch late in the fourth quarter of this year, but may be later. At this stage the local range will comprise CLS 250 BlueTEC, CLS 500 and CLS 63 AMG 'S'  – in sedan and Shooting Brake form. Benz is also considering CLS 400 for Australia. For the moment, the prestige importer won't reveal precise plans for the multibeam LED system in the CLS range. It's likely to be optional for some variants and standard for upmarket models, but the local arm is still engaged in pricing discussions with the factory.