|
Introduction
Mercedes revealed the all new CLS not that long ago and so far the car managed to impress pretty much everyone. This is the 3rd generation of the car and just like before, it bridges the gap between the E and the S Class. However, this time around the CLS offers more power, better features and a nicer overall design. While the general purpose of the car didn’t change much, it definitely looks like Mercedes is trying their best in order to come up with a more premium product than before.
In detail
Just like with the older model, the new 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLS is using the same modular architecture as the E-Class. The two cars share the same wheelbase and have roughly the same running gear. However, the CLS is actually longer, wider and lower.
source:topspeed.com 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLS
This allows it to offer slightly more room inside the cabin and also give it a more menacing set of proportions. With the new platform Mercedes managed to drop quite a bit of weight from the car. On top of that, the center of gravity is also lower which would mean better handling too. In terms of NVH levels it seems like the car is not all that different from its predecessor.
A new body style?
For now Mercedes only revealed the sedan version of the CLS. However, it also looks like the 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLS will come as a shooting brake. This wagon-like car will likely still come with a sloping roof-line with the added benefit of boasting more trunk space than ever before.
The design
While the car is still most definitely a Mercedes, the new CLS does come with a far more aggressive set of proportions than before. On top of that, the overall design scheme is quite a bit more different than before. There is a larger and lower grille in the front, new headlights that are curved towards the top, much larger air intakes as well as a more aggressive roof-rake.
source:topspeed.com 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLS Design
The rear of the car on the other hand is mostly identical to that of the S-Class coupe which is definitely an interesting choice. As before, Mercedes wills till offer AMG models with more aggressive body kits as well as larger wheels. The biggest unknown factor, at least for now, is the way the rear of the shooting brake version will look like.
The interior
Sadly enough, the cabin of the new 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLS is not as impressive as the rest of the car. The dashboard, including the two 12 inch screens, the circular AC aluminum vents or even the touch-based controls on the center stack have all been taken straight out of the E-Class.
source:topspeed.com 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLS Interior
The big difference between the two cars has to be the steering wheel which offers a flat-bottom as standard. On top of that, the seats are a bit sportier and they do offer more support than before. Unlike before, this time around the CLS also offers 5 seats which makes it that much more versatile.
2020 Mercedes-Benz CLS Specs
Interestingly enough, while the rest of the car basically went through a mild refresh, under the hood the 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLS is all new. Instead of the usual V6 engines, the car now features two all new inline-six engines. There is the base model which offers 362 horsepower and 364 lb-ft of torque. The higher end version will boast right around 430 horsepower. The interesting part is that this comes from a 3.0 liter engine which also features a 48V electric-hybrid system. This adds an extra 21 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque when needed.
source:topspeed.com 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLS Engine
The end result is rather explosive with the new CLS being quite a bit faster than its predecessor. On top of these two engines, a new 3.0 liter inline-six diesel is also going to be available in most markets around the world. A 4.0 liter twin-turbocharged V8 on the other hand will power the AMG version of the car. The output for this is still unknown but most rumors seem to suggest around 600 horsepower and over 630 lb-ft of torque. This would make the CLS one of the fastest and more powerful four-door coupes on the market. A hybrid version, likely sporting the same powertrain from the E350e, is a real possibility but Mercedes didn’t say much about it.
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLS | |
| Engine And Transmission | |
| Engine type | inline 6 |
| Displacement | 3.0 liter |
| Power/torque | 362 hp/364 lb-ft |
| Transmission | N/A |
| Performance | |
| 0-60 mph | 5 sec. |
| Top speed | 155 mph |
| PRICE RANGE:$61,000 |
|
| Competitors:Audi A7,BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe | |
