Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class (C218)

Motor vehicle
  • 4-door saloon (C218)
  • 5-door shooting brake (X218)
Layout
  • Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
  • Front-engine, all-wheel-drive (4Matic)
RelatedMercedes-Benz E-Class (W212)PowertrainEngine
  • petrol:
  • 3.5 L M276 V6
  • 4.7 L M278 twin-turbo V8
  • 5.5 L M157 twin-turbo V8
  • diesel:
  • 2.1 L OM651 twin-turbo I4
  • 3.0 L OM642 turbo V6
Transmission
  • 7-speed 7G-Tronic automatic
  • 9-speed 9G-Tronic automatic
DimensionsWheelbase2,874 mm (113.1 in)Length
  • 4,937 mm (194.4 in) (C218)
  • 4,998 mm (196.8 in) (CLS63)[3]
  • 4,953 mm (195.0 in) (X218)
Width1,881 mm (74.1 in)Height
  • 1,418 mm (55.8 in) (C218)
  • 1,419 mm (55.9 in) (X218)
Kerb weight1,660–1,950 kg (3,660–4,299 lb)ChronologyPredecessorMercedes-Benz CLS-Class (C219)SuccessorMercedes-Benz CLS-Class (C257)

The C218 Mercedes-Benz CLS is the second generation of the Mercedes CLS-Class range of four-door coupé sedans. The model shares the chassis and most of the technology with the W212 E-Class and was produced from 2011 to 2017.[4]

Unlike its predecessor, the C218/X218 CLS can be optioned with all-wheel drive 4MATIC on all models including CLS 63 AMG variants.[5] Mercedes also introduced a new five-door estate version to the CLS lineup, called the CLS Shooting Brake.[6]

The C218 CLS-Class was succeeded by the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class (C257) in 2018.[7]

Development and launch

The design of the C218 CLS is based on the F800 Style concept car unveiled by Mercedes-Benz at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show.[8] It is a four-door coupé featuring a new COMAND interface utilizing a touchpad, design cues inspired by the Mercedes SLS AMG, and sliding rear doors.[9] The production version C218 CLS was publicly unveiled at the 2010 Paris Motor Show and as with the previous generation,[10] is based on the E-Class platform, utilising the same rear multi-link suspension setup.[11]

Body styles

  • C218 sedan
    C218 sedan
  • X218 Shooting Brake
    X218 Shooting Brake
  • Interior CLS 2014
  • Interior CLS 2014

Sedan (C218)

Production started in January 2011, with 4MATIC model sales starting later in September.[12]

Shooting Brake (X218)

The CLS Shooting Brake was announced in June 2012, and is an estate version of the CLS sedan.[13] It is based on the Concept Shooting Brake unveiled at Auto China 2010.[14] Shooting Brake models went on sale from October 2012, and are available alongside sedan models in all-wheel drive and AMG variants.[15] It is currently not sold in the United States.[16] It is the most expensive serial production station wagon in the world since year 1992.

Equipment

Standard equipment includes bi-xenon headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, dual zone automatic climate control, power sunroof, and satellite navigation with a 10GB hard-drive.[17] Standard safety equipment consists of anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, active head restraints, and 10 total front, side, and knee airbags.[18] CLS models also come with driver fatigue detection and lane departure warning system functions as standard.[19] Available options include Mercedes' AIRMATIC air suspension, traffic sign recognition, and a reversing camera in conjunction with the COMAND APS system.[20][21]

Models

Petrol engines

Model Years Engine Power Torque 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph)
CLS 300[a] 02/2012–2018 M276 DE35
3.5 L V6 		185 kW (252 PS; 248 hp)
at 6,500 rpm 		340 N⋅m (251 lb⋅ft)
at 3,500–4,500 rpm 		7.0 s
CLS 350
BlueEFFICIENCY 		01/2011–08/2014 225 kW (306 PS; 302 hp)
at 6,500 rpm 		370 N⋅m (273 lb⋅ft)
at 3,500–5,250 rpm 		6.1 s
CLS 400 2014–2017 M276 DE35 AL
3.5 L V6 twin-turbo 		245 kW (333 PS; 329 hp)
at 5,250–6,000 rpm 		480 N⋅m (354 lb⋅ft)
at 1,200–4,000 rpm 		5.3 s
CLS 500
BlueEFFICIENCY 		2011–2014 M278 DE46
4.7 L V8 twin-turbo 		300 kW (408 PS; 402 hp)
at 5,000–5,750 rpm 		600 N⋅m (443 lb⋅ft)
at 1,600–4,750 rpm 		5.2 s
CLS 500 2014–2017 4.8 s
CLS 63 AMG (after 2013 also available with AWD) 2011–2013 M157 DE55
5.5 L V8 twin-turbo 		386 kW (525 PS; 518 hp)
at 5,250–5,750 rpm 		700 N⋅m (516 lb⋅ft)
at 1,700–5,000 rpm 		4.4 s
2013–2018 410 kW (557 PS; 550 hp)
at 5,250–5,750 rpm 		720 N⋅m (531 lb⋅ft)
at 1,750–5,000 rpm 		4.2 s
CLS 63 AMG
Performance Package 		2011–2013 410 kW (557 PS; 550 hp)
at 5,750 rpm 		800 N⋅m (590 lb⋅ft)
at 2,000–4,500 rpm 		4.3 s
CLS 63 AMG S

4MATIC

2013–2018 430 kW (585 PS; 577 hp)
at 5,500 rpm 		3.6 s
  1. ^ Chinese market only

Diesel engines

Model Years Engine Power Torque 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph)
CLS 220 BlueTEC* 2014–2017 OM651 DE22
2.1 L twin-turbo I4 		125 kW (170 PS; 168 hp)
at 3,000–4,200 rpm 		400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft)
at 1,400–2,800 rpm 		8.3 s
CLS 250 CDI
BlueEFFICIENCY 		2011–2014 150 kW (204 PS; 201 hp)
at 4,200 rpm 		500 N⋅m (369 lb⋅ft)
at 1,600–1,800 rpm 		7.5 s
CLS 250 BlueTEC* 2014–2017
CLS 350 CDI

BlueEFFICIENCY

2011–2014 OM642 DE30
3.0 L turbo V6 		195 kW (265 PS; 261 hp)
at 3,800 rpm 		620 N⋅m (457 lb⋅ft)
at 1,600–2,400 rpm 		6.2 s
CLS 350 BlueTEC* 2014–2017 190 kW (258 PS; 255 hp)
at 3,400 rpm 		6.5 s

*The designation "d" replaces "BlueTEC" for the 2015 model year

CLS 63 AMG

CLS 63 AMG sedan
CLS 63 AMG sedan

The CLS 63 AMG is a high performance variant of the CLS and went on sale in March 2011.[22] It features a 5.5 L bi-turbo V8 rated at 386 kW (518 hp) and 700 N⋅m (516 lb⋅ft).[23] Standard equipment includes an AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed transmission, a 24 mm (1 in) wider front track, larger 360 mm ventilated and perforated brake discs, an AMG sports exhaust system, and a three-spoke AMG Performance steering wheel with shift paddles.[24][25] The CLS 63 AMG is available in both sedan and Shooting Brake variants, as well as in rear-wheel drive or 4MATIC all-wheel drive configurations.[26]

Edition 1 models were available exclusively in the first year of its market launch, and featured minor power increases of 29 kW (39 hp) and 100 N⋅m (74 lb⋅ft).[27] Other additions include Edition 1 insignia, matte exterior paintwork, designo leather, and a choice of three AMG exclusive interior trim.[28] An AMG Performance Package was also offered separately, and featured a carbon-fiber spoiler lip, red brake calipers,[29] and increased performance gains of 24 kW (32 hp) and 100 N⋅m (74 lb⋅ft), resulting in a 0–60 mph (97 km/h) time of 4.1 s.[30]

From April 2013, the CLS 63 AMG range was updated to now produce 410 kW (550 hp) and 720 N⋅m (531 lb⋅ft).[31] The Performance Package was also replaced by the new CLS 63 AMG S model,[32] featuring further performance and efficiency enhancements, all-wheel drive 4MATIC as standard, and a rear locking differential.[33] It is also available as a Shooting Brake variant and launched in June 2013.[34]

Model year changes

Facelift C218 CLS sedan

2014 facelift

A facelift was introduced for the CLS model range in 2014.[35]

The major changes are:

  • A redesigned front fascia with a diamond-patterned radiator grille (for AMG package models) and new anti-dazzle MULTIBEAM LED headlights[36][37]
  • Tail lights in slightly darker shade of red
  • Interior changes including a new steering wheel design and a larger free standing 8-inch COMAND APS display[38]
  • New model naming scheme for diesel engines (CLS 350 BlueTEC now called CLS 350d)
  • Introduction of CLS 400 and CLS 220d models, and updated CLS 350d engine[39]
  • Introduction of 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission on all models (excluding the CLS 400)[40]

2016

  • CLS 400 receives 9-speed automatic transmission

CLS 500 receives iron lined cylinder bores instead of plasma honed aluminium.

Sales figures

As with the previous generation, the CLS sedan and Shooting Brake models are produced in Sindelfingen, Germany.[41]

The following are the sales figures for the C218 CLS in Europe only:[42]

Year Total
2011 17,414
2012 12,797
2013 15,139
2014 10,289
2015 12,600
2016 7,803
2017 5,116
Total: 81,158

Awards

  • 2010 Auto Bild 'Golden Steering Wheel Award'[43]
  • 2010 Auto Zeitung 'Best Car of the Year' (luxury segment)[44]
  • 2011 auto motor und sport 'Autonis Awards'[45]
  • 2011 Automotive Brand Contest 'Best of Best' (exterior category)[46]
  • 2013 Auto Zeitung Design Award for the CLS Shooting Brake[47]
  • 2016 cars.com 'Luxury Car of the Year'[48]

References

  1. ^ "CLS 500 BlueEFFICIENCY, 2010 - 2014 (from 03.2013: CLS 500)". mercedes-benz-publicarchive.com. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  2. ^ "2017 Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake X218 phase II 4MATIC (4WD) all versions specifications and performance data". Automobile Catalog. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  3. ^ "2017 Mercedes-AMG CLS63 S Coupe Specifications". cmedia.mbusa.com. 22 September 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  4. ^ "Depreciation Appreciation: 2011-2017 Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG (W218)". autoTRADER.ca. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  5. ^ "2015 Mercedes CLS63 AMG Review @ Top Speed". Top Speed. Retrieved 31 May 2018.[permanent dead link]
  6. ^ "Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake Review (2018) | Autocar". www.autocar.co.uk. Archived from the original on 3 October 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  7. ^ "2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS starts from £57,510 | Autocar". www.autocar.co.uk. Archived from the original on 3 October 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  8. ^ Geneva Preview: Mercedes-Benz F 800 Style a sneak peek at next CLS-Class
  9. ^ "Mercedes F800 news - F800: Merc's future style - 2010". www.topgear.com. Archived from the original on 3 October 2020. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  10. ^ "2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS". Road & Track. 28 September 2010. Archived from the original on 3 October 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  11. ^ "Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake (2015) long-term test review". CAR Magazine. Archived from the original on 3 October 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  12. ^ "2012 - 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS Review @ Top Speed". Top Speed. Archived from the original on 3 October 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  13. ^ Kew, Ollie (29 June 2012). "Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake (2012) first pictures". Car Magazine. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  14. ^ "China auto show: Mercedes-Benz Shooting Break concept previews new CLS". Autoweek. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  15. ^ "2013 Mercedes CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake Review @ Top Speed". Top Speed. Retrieved 31 May 2018.[permanent dead link]
  16. ^ 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake is bringing sexy-functional back
  17. ^ "Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake (2012 - 2018) Features, Equipment and Accessories | Parkers". www.parkers.co.uk. Archived from the original on 3 October 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  18. ^ "2016 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Safety Features". Autoblog. Archived from the original on 3 October 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  19. ^ "Why Is My Car Telling Me To Get Coffee?". Autoblog. Archived from the original on 3 October 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  20. ^ "Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class 350 BlueTEC review | Car review | RAC Drive". www.rac.co.uk. Archived from the original on 3 October 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  21. ^ "Mercedes CLS review: features, gadgets and practicality | Parkers". www.parkers.co.uk. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  22. ^ AMG V8 biturbo engine consuming 9.9 litres per 100 km: CLS 63 AMG – the benchmark in design, performance and efficiency
  23. ^ "Mercedes CLS 63 AMG (2011-2017) Review". Auto Express. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  24. ^ "Effortlessly fast AMG saddled with slow tech". Roadshow. 5 June 2013. Archived from the original on 3 October 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  25. ^ Adams, Lawrence (22 April 2013). "First Drive: Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG - GTspirit". GTspirit. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  26. ^ "2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG S-Model 4Matic review notes". Autoweek. Archived from the original on 3 October 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  27. ^ "Merc reveals CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake". Top Gear. 9 July 2012. Archived from the original on 3 October 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  28. ^ "2013 Mercedes CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake Review @ Top Speed". Top Speed. Retrieved 31 May 2018.[permanent dead link]
  29. ^ English, Andrew (6 June 2011). "Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG review". The Daily Telegraph : Britain's Best-Selling Quality Daily. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  30. ^ "2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG". Car and Driver. Archived from the original on 3 October 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  31. ^ "Mercedes CLS63 AMG gets more power for 2013". CAR Magazine. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  32. ^ "2014 Mercedes CLS 63 AMG 4MATIC Review @ Top Speed". Top Speed. Archived from the original on 3 October 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  33. ^ "Mercedes CLS63 AMG S review, price and specs". Evo. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  34. ^ "Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG: performance, dynamism and efficiency - The new benchmark: CLS 63 AMG as S-Model and with 4MATIC | marsMediaSite". marsMediaSite. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  35. ^ "Facelifted Mercedes-Benz CLS and CLS Shooting Brake revealed | Autocar". www.autocar.co.uk. Archived from the original on 3 October 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  36. ^ "Mercedes CLS facelift (2014) first official pics". CAR Magazine. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  37. ^ Huntingford, Steve (9 December 2015). "Mercedes CLS review". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 3 October 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  38. ^ "2015 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Model Overview". MotorTrend. Archived from the original on 3 October 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  39. ^ "Mercedes CLS gets a mid-life facelift". newatlas.com. 26 June 2014. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  40. ^ "Mercedes CLS facelift (2014) first official pics". CAR Magazine. Archived from the original on 3 October 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  41. ^ Mercedes-Benz confirms production of CLS Shooting Brake
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  45. ^ "Awards". www.la.mercedes-benz.com. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  46. ^ "Mercedes-Benz Designs Win Big at The Automotive Brand Contest 2011 » AutoGuide.com News". AutoGuide.com News. 10 August 2011. Archived from the original on 3 October 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  47. ^ "Triple victory in the 2013 Design Trophy: Mercedes-Benz builds the most beautiful cars | marsMediaSite". marsMediaSite. Archived from the original on 3 October 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  48. ^ "2016 Luxury Car of the Year: Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class". 13 January 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
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Model Body 1990s 2000s 2010s
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
A Hatch W168 W169 W176 W177
Sedan V177
B MPV W245 W246 W247
C Saloon W201 W202 W203 W204 W205
Estate S202 S203 S204 S205
E Saloon W124 W210 W211 W212 W213
Limousine V124 V212 V213
Estate S124 S210 S211 S212 S213
S Saloon W126 W140 W220 W221 W222
Limousine V126 V140 V220 V221 V222, X222
Pullman VF126 VF140 VF220 VV221 VV222
CLA 4-door coupé C117 C118
Shooting brake X117 X118
CLS 4-door coupé C219 C218 C257
Shooting brake X218
CLC/C Hatchback coupé CL203
Coupé C204 C205
Cabriolet A205
CLK/E Coupé C124 C208 C209 C207 C238
Cabriolet A124 A208 A209 A207 A238
Straßenversion GTR
LM
CL/S Coupé C126 C140 C215 C216 C217
Cabriolet A217
SLK/SLC Roadster R170 R171 R172
SL R129 R230 R231
SLS/GT Coupé C197 C190
Roadster R197 R190
4-door coupé X290
SLR Coupé C199
Roadster R199
Speedster Z199
Vaneo MPV W414
R W251
V W447
GLA Crossover X156
GLB Crossover X247
Musso/GLK/GLC SUV Musso FJ X204 X253
SUV coupé C253
EQC SUV N293
M/GLE SUV W163 W164 W166 W167
SUV coupé C292
GL/GLS SUV X164 X166 X167
G Off-road vehicle W460/461
W463
Musso Sports/X Pickup truck Musso Sports P100 W470
Citan LCV W415
Vito & Viano MB100 W638 W639 W447
Sprinter T1 W901–W905 NCV3 VS30
Vario T2 W670
Model Body 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
1990s 2000s 2010s
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