Mercedes-Benz CLS 2014 Review - International

You learn something on every new car launch. And you keep learning...

This time around I learned that 'New Generation' in Mercedes-Benz speak really means 'midlife facelift'. It's only when the burghers at Stuttgart label a car 'All New' that it is in fact really a new generation...

Welcome, therefore, to the facelifted, err, I mean New Generation CLS-Class.

Set to arrive in Australia in the last quarter of 2014, the updated CLS-Class builds on the 'success' of the German marque's mould-breaking four-door coupe. With over 120,000 examples of the current car sold internationally, it remains a niche model – that said, with the addition of the Shooting Brake five-door variant, it has become a high profile calling card for the brand. And nowhere more so than Down Under...

And it looks like that's set to continue with the new model featuring a significantly more aggressive look.

The front end of the updated standard (non-AMG) models benefits from a more masculine 'face' that frankly wouldn't look out of place on an AMG car. The 'real' AMG, the upgraded 800Nm CLS 63, turns the heat up even further. Two horizontal 'metallic' elements give the impression of even more width and muscle, while large outer intakes butch up the nose and deliberately deliver a race car-style view of raw alloy ancillary radiators and oil coolers.

The other headline act of the new CLS-Class is its new Multibeam LED headlights. Dubbed the "Future of Light" in Mercedes' press material (which never wants for lack of hyperbole), the wunder-lights promise everything, expect perhaps the option to toast sliced bread.

The technology is not new to Mercedes-Benz (it already features at least in part on the E and S-Class) but is evolving quickly. Optional on some models, but expected to be standard Down Under on both CLS 500 and 63 AMG, the new headlights feature 24 LEDs in each lamp. These can be individually 'tuned' to instantly alter light output and overall spread.

We've detailed the benefits elsewhere, but says Benz, the CLS units are just a taste of things to come. Although now able to reach out to 450m or beyond, there are already lights with 800m range in the wings.

Inside the new CLS there's been a freshening of the cabin, with the new A-Class style freestanding Comand display the most obvious change. Under the skin, the New Generation CLS-Class now gets the latest Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive integrated safety suite also featured on the latest C, S and E-Class. Active safety features include autonomous braking and active cruise control, combining with auto steering to effectively follow the car in front in stop-start traffic.

Most of these features will be standard on all Aussie-delivery CLS models.

Connectivity has also been improved – in European delivered cars at least. A new SIM-based Connect-me system allows owners to check car systems (such as fuel levels) remotely and use a range of MB Apps to plan journeys, connect with friends and family or just listen to music. (Mercedes-Benz Australia says the timeframe for local adoption is still unclear)

Digging deeper, the updated CLS is also one of the first recipients of Benz's new nine-speed 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission. This will arrive in Australia via the V8-engined CLS 500 initially and later will be featured across more models in the range.

We detailed the autobox's features and effects in our drive of the new S 500 Coupe, so won't go over the same ground here. Suffice it to say, its application in the CLS should yield refinement, performance and economy benefits.

Our test drive of the new CLS-Class models was limited to a few miles commuting between London and the Goodwood Festival of Speed, so this is far from an exhaustive review.

First impressions count, however... And unfortunately for Mercedes-Benz they weren't all that impressive – at least initially. But a moment of explanation is necessary here. Such is the gulf in terms of the levels of refinement in the new S-Class yours truly had been driving for two days prior to jumping in the new CLS, that the older E-Class-based car did not compare well. And my thoughts were shared by a number of other writers on hand. It was as if we needed to recalibrate to the real world after being in S-Class land.

Truth is the CLS in all its variants is a pretty good thing. Clearly, however, the 100 per cent increment you pay over and above a CLS 500 for an S 500 Coupe does buy you more than a badge.

Although we were unable to spend any time in the nine-speed 300kW/600Nm CLS 500 that will spearhead the new CLS' arrival Down Under, we did sample the 250 BlueTec turbo-diesel, CLS 63 AMG S 4MATIC and the just confirmed for Australia, CLS 400.

The latter two drives were in my personal favourite Benz, the CLS Shooting Brake. All featured seven-speed autos.

We can report that the 63 remains a beast. In its latest form AMG has increased engine output to 430kW and 800Nm and tweaked its Speedshift auto for faster gear change times – up and down the box. This translates to a 0-100km/h sprint in 4MATIC all-wheel drive form of 3.6sec! That's true supercar pace.

It's unlikely our rear-drive only CLS 63 S will match that pace (although a sub-4.0sec time is on the cards). It will, however, be possessed of sweeter steering feel – that's the one area where the 4MATIC cars fall down.

The 250 turbo-diesel meantime remains a firm favourite, even if there are quieter oilers around. Engine outputs are unchanged for the updated model at 150kW and 500Nm.

The contrast between the pleasant ride of the 250 on 18-inch Euro-spec rubber and standard suspension and the kart-like thumps of 63's 20-inch liquorish straps and sport-tuned dampers was instructional. It's evident that both CLS and E-Class AMGs are starting to show their age.

If there's an area in which you'll notice huge improvement from Mercedes-Benz in the next few years it'll be in the ride of its sportiest models. And that's a good thing.

Although my impressions come with some caveats (see below), the new CLS 400 may combine the best of both worlds (performance and economy) and end up the pick of the CLS-Class litter.

In the latest generation E-Class, the twin-turbo 245kW/480Nm 3.0-litre 400 has replaced two models, the 350 V6 and 500 V8 and is outselling their previous volumes combined.

Down Under, the CLS 400 will drop into the $45,000 (approx) gap between 250 and 500. We're guessing a price around the $135K mark.

The caveat is that the 400 we sampled was a Euro-only 3.5-litre twin-turbo variant that features stratified charge combustion. This promises up to 10 per cent improvements in fuel economy but Australia's fuel quality precludes us from using the technology version.

Benz boffins promised the performance and refinement we experienced is next to identical to the 3.0-litre 400 we'll get. If that's the case, the local car will exhibit strong torque almost from idle and smooth, seamless acceleration.

In terms of the trio we drove in the UK, the 400 was easily the pick.