Mercedes-Benz halves local CLS line-up

When the third-generation Mercedes-Benz CLS arrives in Australia during the third quarter of 2018, the model range will be halved to just three variants, there will be no diesel engine in the all-turbo-petrol line-up and entry-level pricing will increase.

First revealed at the 2017 Los Angeles motor show, Mercedes-Benz’s ‘four-door coupe’ is now going through the international media launch drive process in Barcelona and local pricing and some spec has been released to go with that.

The Australian line-up will start at $136,900 plus on-road costs for the CLS 350, powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder. Then there’s the CLS 450 ($155,900) and the range-topping AMG-fettled CLS 53 ($179,900), both sharing different versions of the new M256 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine.

For our first taste of the new CLS 350 and 450 4MATIC go here and for our first drive of the flagship Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 click here.

The 450 will be the first model on sale, followed by the 350 and 53 in the fourth quarter.

For the new-generation CLS, Benz has ditched the petrol V6 and V8 engines, including the stonking AMG 63 (which was one of the last models to use the biturbo M157 5.5-litre V8) and dropped the sexy but slow-selling ‘Shooting Brake’ wagon body style.

The entry-level 2.1-litre turbo-diesel powered CLS 250d has also been discontinued, but while there are new-generation four- and six-cylinder diesels available elsewhere, Australia has gone for an all-petrol line-up.

Priced from $115,355, the 250d was the most popular engine in the old CLS line-up, but Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific says the new OM264 petrol four will fill the void, even if pricing has shot up dramatically.

“We think the CLS 350 will do really well -- we certainly see that as the volume car,” said M-B A/P product communications manager Jerry Stamoulis.

“There is a handful who want diesel, but not enough for us to justify a diesel model. We know some people were deterred from buying the CLS because we did not have an entry-level petrol engine.”

When it comes to sales volume, the CLS is very much a niche-seller, managing just 182 sales in 2017 — about 10 per cent of the E-Class with which it shares its technical base.

Its most recent sales peak was 456 in 2013. CLS customers are generally aged in their late 50s and own several Benzes. They are older than E-Class buyers.

“I think we will continue to do similar numbers, because we think the 350 will bring in some new customers to the brand,” added Stamoulis. “We think it will be at least 50 per cent and maybe 60 per cent of our volume in Australia.”

Tech details of the new OM 264 four-cylinder engine were scarce at the launch as Benz is still going through the validation process. But it confirmed the engine makes an impressive 220kW and 400Nm, with a 48-volt belt-driven integrated starter-generator mild-hybrid system contributing a further 10kW and 150Nm.

The 450 version of the new M256 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder produces 270kW and 500Nm and is boosted by both orthodox exhaust-gas turbocharging and a 48-volt mild-hybrid ISG system mounted between the engine and transmission.

It can provide 16kW and 250Nm of extra shove in short bursts and the fuel consumption and emissions claims are 7.8L/100km and 178g CO2/km.

The CLS 53, which will over time replace the AMG 43 V6 powertrain across the Benz line-up, is the technical as well as performance flagship, adding an electrical compressor to aid tip-in throttle response.  Its outputs are 320kW and 520Nm and its consumption and emissions 8.7L/100km and 200g/km on the maligned NEDC combined cycle.

In fact, the CLS is the first Benz to be certified using the tougher Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure, or WLTP, including a real-world driving component. However, those numbers don’t have to be published until September 2018 and only NEDC figures were quoted at the launch.

Back in 2016 when they were first confirmed, Benz said these new-generation engines would be fitted with particulate filters to improve emissions, just as diesel engines already are. But it now turns out the filters are only installed in engines destined for the EU.

All CLS models are fitted with a nine-speed automatic transmission, the sixes get 4MATIC all-wheel drive and the four-cylinder will be rear-drive.

The new CLS is slightly bigger and heavier than its predecessor. Reasons for the added weight include the fact the I6 is 20kg heavier than the old V6, the new car uses 30kg heavier steel doors because the crease-free ‘Sensual Purity’ design language actually weakens crash resistance and the ISG adds somewhere between 40 and 50kg.

And while wheelbase, overall length, width and height stretch out, the boot capacity of the new CLS is actually slightly smaller than the old car. That’s because the mild-hybrid system requires the 12-volt battery to be shifted to the rear from under the bonnet.

Equipment-wise, the confirmed local highlights include 20-inch alloy wheels, Air Body Control air springs, AMG exterior and interior packages, ambient lighting, the digital widescreen cockpit, head-up display, multi-beam LED headlights and a package of drive assist systems from the recent S-Class facelift , although several features including active speed limit assist and autonomous cornering speed adjustment are disabled in Australia.

The 450 adds power-closing doors, a single-mode sports exhaust and the Energizing comfort control system that gets all touchy-feely through fragrances emitted via the air-conditioning, massaging seats and specially selected music. Unique to the 53 are active front seats, wireless charging and a ‘night’ trim package.

A cosmetic Edition 1 package will be available when the CLS first launches, but no pricing has been confirmed for that as yet.

2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS pricing (plus ORCs):
CLS 350 — $136,900
CLS 450 — $155,900
CLS 53 — $179,900