The Mercedes-Benz CLS is a series of executive cars produced from December 2003 to August 2023. The original was a four-door saloon based on the E-Class and marketed as a four-door coupé.
Mercedes-Benz CLS at a glance
| Production | December 2003 – August 2023 |
|---|---|
| First generation | C219, 2004 |
| Second generation | C218, 2011–2018 |
| Third generation | C257, 2018 |
| Position | between the E-Class and the S-Class |
| First show | 2004 New York International Auto Show |
| Designer of the first car | Michael Fink, 2001 |
| Platform | W211 E-Class, wheelbase 2,854 mm |
| Shooting Brake | added with the C218 |
| Four-wheel drive | 4MATIC from the second generation |
| Seats | four in the first two generations, five in the C257 |
This article is based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the Mercedes-Benz CLS.
History of the Mercedes-Benz CLS
The first CLS, coded C219 in Europe and commonly called W219 in the United States, was designed by Michael Fink in 2001. It was based on the W211 E-Class platform and shared its engines, transmissions and 2,854 mm wheelbase, but wore a low, fastback body with four seats. The whole car, from the Vision CLS concept to production, was developed by IVM Automotive, a subsidiary of the roof specialist Edscha, and the production version debuted at the New York International Auto Show in 2004.
The second generation, C218, was sold from 2011 to 2018. Its design was based on the F800 concept and took cues from the SLS AMG, and the range added a five-door estate called the Shooting Brake, coded X218. Unlike the first car, the C218 could be ordered with 4MATIC all-wheel drive, including on the CLS 63 AMG. A facelift in 2014 brought design changes, more powerful engines and the 9G-Tronic automatic gearbox.
The third generation, C257, arrived in 2018 as a four-door only; a Shooting Brake had been designed but was cancelled because demand for the previous estate had fallen. It was offered with rear- or all-wheel drive, a 2.9-litre straight-six turbo diesel and a 3.0-litre straight-six turbo petrol in the CLS 53 AMG with mild hybrid assistance and a Panamericana grille recalling the 300 SL. For the first time the CLS became a five-seater. Production ended on 31 August 2023 ahead of the new W214 E-Class.
Design and features
- Four-door coupé: a low fastback roofline on a four-door body.
- E-Class basis: engines, gearbox and wheelbase shared with the E-Class.
- Shooting Brake: an estate body offered with the second generation.
- AMG versions: high-performance models including the CLS 63 and CLS 53.
Mercedes-Benz CLS versions
- C219 (2004–2010): the first four-door coupé.
- C218 (2011–2018): second generation, with 4MATIC.
- X218 Shooting Brake: the five-door estate.
- C257 (2018–2023): third generation, a five-seater.
- CLS 53 AMG: straight-six with mild hybrid assistance.
The CLS was built on the E-Class and sat below the S-Class; its styling drew on the SLS AMG. More in the Mercedes-Benz collection.
Video: Ralf Richter im Mercedes-Benz CLS
Video by YouTube on YouTube.
Sources
- Mercedes-Benz CLS, English Wikipedia: generations, platform, engines, production
