Due out late this year as a 2011 model, this heavily styled, newly edgy Mercedes-Benz CLS-class will replace the current coupe/sedan that's so smooth it looks as if it was extruded out of something.
Follow the jump for more photos and information.
In the ebb and flow of car design, everything goes simple and smooth then all at once it goes all edgy and complicated. We are currently witnessing from Mercedes a move to edgy complication.
The basic proportions of the 2011 CLS remain faithful to the original but there's a whole lot of styling added on to it. The flank is a particularly excited surface with curving creases sinking from the belt line and rising up from the rockers. The CLS also inherits the suggestion of a haunch over the rear wheels from the new E-class.
Other differences include a angry headlights, a protruding snout and side mirrors apparently nabbed from the E-class sedan. The vehicle being shot here is a CLS 350, which means it is powered by the company's new 60-degree 3.5-liter, direct-injected V6, which should make 306 horsepower. The CLS will also be offered with new twin-turbo, direct-injected 4.7-liter V8, which Mercedes earlier stated makes 435 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque.
lmbvette says:
07:45 AM, 05/21/10
I like the original CLS and the current E class, but this just doesn't work for some reason.
OK...I figured it out....
Take a look at the first shot, look how far from the front of the car the driver sits. That is a good 6 1/2 - 7 feet of space between the driver's nose and the car's nose.
The driver is practically sitting midway between the front and back wheels. They are driving from the center of the car. Wow!
throwback says:
07:46 AM, 05/21/10
looks like it is riding high. Air suspension?
jackson611 says:
08:11 AM, 05/21/10
the mirrors are out of place. they look like they are shaped after Dumbo's ears.
albook says:
08:13 AM, 05/21/10
From what I can see I think it's a nice evolution from its predecessor. Of course, we have to see it in person before we can pass any real judgement.
captainvw says:
08:45 AM, 05/21/10
That rump looks sinister
bet it would look downright awesome in gloss black...nice
omgitsviddy says:
09:31 AM, 05/21/10
Driving an 06 cls500 right now this looks like a fantastic replacement! Been considering upgrading to a current model 550 or 63 amg but have been following the redesign and decided to wait. Can't wait for the design to be completely released.
cr_driver says:
09:34 AM, 05/21/10
I heavily dislike that haunch....
But that rear end looks very aggressive and mean and downright menacing and modern, very cool.
The front end will probably look good, with an in your face attitude.
billt9 says:
09:45 AM, 05/21/10
thefront looks too much c-class. hopefully it doesn't after the tapes come off.
exnevadan says:
09:46 AM, 05/21/10
profile looks like new M35/M45 - boring (at least Infiniti gets props for being first)
rump, rear three quarters - wow (holy fender flares)
audirs4 says:
09:48 AM, 05/21/10
I'm not sure I get the rear quarter panel treatment and the downward sloping line. But that's the styling on the new E class as well.
Mercedes doesn't have many cars that are just downright sexy it terms of style. They seem bulky and the bodywork doesn't flow. A mixed bag on everything they all seem just a bit goofy in styling
I guess that's why Audi just passed MB in worldwide sales figures for the 1st time.
Mercedes did start a trend with this car and deserve some credit. But the upcoming A7 will be a sexier car and a better value.
zackd44 says:
09:50 AM, 05/21/10
i thought that the Vw CC was a 4-door coupe?
chillin2345 says:
10:35 AM, 05/21/10
I bought a 2006 CLS500 when it first came out and just sold it to someone a few weeks ago. I remember for that half year (maybe more?) that it was on sale in 2005 as a 2006 model, MB offered the 5.0L V8 with ~300hp. Man, talk about leisurely acceleration and horrible gas mileage. I remember my worst tank being 9 mpg. The 0-60 looked better on paper. (And yes, people who buy these cars (like me) do factor in gas mileage, but its not the deciding factor)
I have to roll my eyes when I see MB offering a 306hp V6. Maybe I shouldn't knock it until I test drive it. But I only hope that at least the V6 would offer better gas mileage, if not better acceleration. If I were going to spend that kind of money again, I'd probably step up to the larger 435hp V8.
rlyon says:
11:26 AM, 05/21/10
Wow, wheel gap from hell!!!
icecubefosho says:
11:28 AM, 05/21/10
"World first four door coupe" - Seriously guys? There was a car called the Rover P5...
The tail lights look terribly overstyled while the actual bodywork seems to have been shafted.
The front air dams look far too angular for this to be considered "sleek", alongside the upright grille and all. (First pic, grille area reminds me of a Dodge.) The entire front end looks like it was mismatched with the rest of the car.
I think Mercedes just ruined one of my favorite car designs. The Volkswagen CC shouldn't be seen as a CLS wannabe anymore, its design is actually evocative.
luxurycarlover says:
12:07 PM, 05/21/10
I think it looks great
akmaloney says:
12:14 PM, 05/21/10
The CLS has never been offered with a V6 in the U.S.. That combined with the fact that this car has Euro plates seems to suggest this was probably an ad-shoot for the Euro model. I believe the new bi-turbo 4.7l motor will be the base engine for this car in the U.S. and the AMG treatment will give it the new 5.5l bi-turbo V8.
A few notes:
- It looks like the car is equipped with full LED headlights - a la upcoming Audi A8.
- Is that the third brake light in the rear bumper?
- It's good to see the AIRMATIC suspension (first pic) being used on the car. The new E63 only offers the air springs in the rear.
All in all, I think this is a great direction for MB style. The upright grille, the 'ponton' fenders etc do a good job of adding extra flair to an already impressive design.
bimmerjay says:
12:30 PM, 05/21/10
"- Is that the third brake light in the rear bumper?"
It would likely be the rear fog lamp(s). At least in the US, the 3rd stop light cannot be mounted lower than the main brake lights.
I like this new look, from what I can see. Like the new E-Class, I suspect it will look way better in person.
carl0ver says:
12:38 PM, 05/21/10
look! it has 05-06 acura rsx type s 17 inch wheels! haha (first picture)
m89 says:
01:55 PM, 05/21/10
The pictures are rather awkward to get a really good look and feel for it, but from what I can see, from these pics, I think it's going to be a great replacement for the 1st gen CLS. I love the new "sport grilles" that MB is putting on their new models. I wouldn't be surprised if eventually the traditional hood ornament that, as it currently stands, only remains on the C-Class (one trim only in N/A), E-Class Sedan and S-Class Sedan, disappears in the next decade.
eswalls says:
02:02 PM, 05/21/10
Uhhhhh. Why have 4 doors at all? Using the driver's height as a reference and it looks like any normal sized person's head will be constantly hitting the rear glass.
cheerful_1 says:
03:01 PM, 05/21/10
2 Doors = Coupe
4 Doors = Sedan
jscion says:
04:23 PM, 05/21/10
I am not a fan of the current style of Mercedes-Benz cars nor have I been for the last decade or so now. Some look very bland while others just look odd. The CLS looks great now but I'm not sure I like the updated version all that much. Middle of the road for me on this one.
mazdamike17 says:
04:51 PM, 05/21/10
That first picture looks like a Malibu front end doesn't it? The headlights definitly are the same shape.... Makes the malibu even sweeter! Otherwise, its nice but thats it, just nice... Not really as striking as the original, and although I like the design Idea, I think a 4 door coupe is obnoxious... M/M
rayzor says:
05:04 PM, 05/21/10
WoW! That is one freakingly large radiator grill!!! It's like a ramp! It is gross! Damn the German pedestrian law!!
glippmann says:
05:33 PM, 05/21/10
Any chance they will offer 4-matic?? Lack thereof is the only thing stopping me from buying this car.
4maticbenz says:
05:38 PM, 05/21/10
exnevadan, first of all, the new Infiniti M is called the M37/M56; not M35/45. Secondly, pretty much the EXACT SAME profile is currently being used on the CLS that was introduced 5 YEARS AGO! So dont go giving Infiniti credit for a design that they "borrowed". God, you're an idiot....
Anyway, i cant make a valid decision of how i feel about this car. It isnt the official model (which would explain for some quirky styling elements like those cheap rims, wacky mirrors, wide wheel/fender gaps, etc.) But for a sneak peak spy photo i can pretty much tell that the official release is gonna look AWESOME. Love the entire rear end and i like the more aggressive, and menacing front end as well.
exnevadan says:
06:08 PM, 05/21/10
I doubt God appreciates being called an idiot
and I stand corrected, mb gets props for being first to create that boring design
icecubefosho says:
06:47 PM, 05/21/10
@4maticbenz and @exnevadan
The M has little-to-no correlation with the CLS.
rustyshunt says:
06:58 PM, 05/21/10
Looks like the police horse just left
Did you say they redesigned it?
Rusty
mrjost55 says:
08:51 PM, 05/21/10
Wow this thing looks awesome, i wasn't a huge fan of the first gen, except for the CLS63, but this one is great.
worldcardude says:
10:31 PM, 05/21/10
This car has the front of an E Class and the back of a CLS!!!!! The rear of this bad boy looks sexy! Not lyk that stupid SLS rear that looks lyk the rear of an Acura! The front of the old CLS looked ugly! NICE STYLE MERCEDES!!!!!
911chris says:
02:55 AM, 05/22/10
I didn´t like the design of the previous CLS-Class but now, this is really impressive.
It´s great looking!
smoothcriminal says:
05:45 AM, 05/22/10
the side mirrors r kinda wierd compared to the car!!
but i would have loved if it still had the curve lines on the sides!! it made the car look soo sleek!!
rollsroyce84 says:
07:30 AM, 05/22/10
Is it just me, or does the rear end of this car scream NISSAN MAXIMA! I cant believe it! I think the previous generation CLS looks way better than this.
frazier500 says:
08:05 AM, 05/22/10
I love this. Some aspects do give me pause, but I'm more than positive this is really going to come together in person.
clerk1892 says:
11:35 AM, 05/22/10
Four door coupe??? Car + 4 Doors = NOT A COUPE. You can call it a saloon, if you'd like, but certainly not a coupe. That's like the volkswagon four door coupe they tried to pass off. Very silly.
Even the Mazda RX-8 isn't REALLY a coupe. Sure it looks like one, and it is descended from a line of coupes, but sure truly yes four doors! You open the front two doors and BAM two more!!!
Hey mercedes, here are a few fine examples of what a coupe is:
Ford Mustang
Toyota Solara (hardtop)
Jaguar XK
Pontiac Solstice Targa
Hell, even your very own CLK63 AMG Black!
Ugh.
bushwack says:
01:57 PM, 05/22/10
I know it becomes increasing difficult for manufacturers to claim their own identity. But I see a Nissan Maxima front end on that car.
hunter312 says:
04:18 PM, 05/22/10
@bushwack
Then you need to get your eyes checked. There is absolutely nothing about this car which looks similar to the maxima:
http://www.cargurus.com/images/2009/12/15/17/29/2009_nissan_maxima_sv-pic-1307389021047682967.jpeg
The only thing even remotely similar is the upright grille, but that isn't exclusive to the Maxima or any other car.
And to those doing comparisons to other cars recently out, just remember that this car has been in design for at least 5 years and would not be able to copy a recent car just because it came out a year or two ago, so all that talk is nonsense. Just because you see similarities doesn't mean anyone is copying each other because they all have different designers who likely have/had similar ideas.
albook says:
06:32 PM, 05/22/10
The more I look at it, the more I like it. Mercedes is on a role- they haven't had a mistep in design in at least 5 years. They have definitely regained their status as the king of luxury, in terms of styling. BMW, on the other hand, has been very dissapointing as of late. Only a true BMW enthusiast wouldn't admit that the brand is living off its reputation (7 series, X6). Audi has also come a long way, but the odd A7 shows that they still have a long way to go.
admiral1 says:
09:24 PM, 05/22/10
This new refined CLS Class has only one word... Extraordinary!!! It is obvious the Edmunds journalist is not very educated with respect to the MB brand, his comments & reporting are subjective to say the least!
smoothcriminal says:
04:44 AM, 05/23/10
i wont say that is rear lights look like maxima, yeah bt it sure reminds me of maxima and genesis coupe!!!
rossofiorano says:
10:39 AM, 05/25/10
edgy...and sexy. nice tail. in black, please
lexusaddict says:
07:46 PM, 07/ 1/10
The back one of this is nicer, but the front end of the one we have now is miles better. This is just too soft and too feminine...too much like the new Mercedes...soft...jello...girly...eyeliner...