Tuscan roads vs. the CLS
Climbing through the hills of Tuscany and actually careening on some stages used by the historical and legendary Mille Miglia, the CLS displays no apparent flaws other than its size; some of these roads were barely wide enough to accommodate a C-Class...
Tight radius, blind, camber changing corners were managed quite well by the suspension's selective damping system. The wide Pirelli tires complained little as the car remained fairly flat and never did the 4-door coupe feel out of sorts. One important element that played an instrumental role in the dynamic drive is Mercedes' Electric Power Steering (EPS). Allowing for a wide range of assistance levels, the EPS does away with vague on-center feel and dodgy steering inputs. What it also does is rob the driver of real sensations but that's exactly what the typical purchaser of a CLS-Class would request.
BlueEFFICIENCY
For the first time ever, a production car is available with full LED headlamps. This optional lighting system is fully automatic and can detect oncoming traffic by distance and raise or lower its beams. It also requires less energy to operate and their brightness is comparable to natural light. This is but one element of Mercedes BlueEFFICIENCY measures. Another is that the CLS can now be equipped with Start-Stop technology. By combining the 7-speed box', start-stop, LED and optimized engines, the CLS puts out 20% fewer CO2 emissions.
Easy sell
The CLS-Class is undoubtedly an exclusive car given its low sales volumes in Canada and I'm willing to bet that Mercedes-Benz Canada wants to keep it this way. Otherwise, the V6s would have made their way into the car's product planning. Potential Benz owners also want it this way.
The CLS-Class has grown up and out. It is now more mainstream but hasn’t left its roots behind. The biggest change is the loss of fluidity in its design which was the previous CLS’ calling card. It works.
As my time with the car came to an end, I felt anxiety no more. Hubert Lee, Head of Mercedes-Benz’ Design Studio in California, managed a very difficult task: He created the next CLS. I’m certain that this one will sell at least 170,000 more times.
The 2012 CLS-Class is expected to arrive in Canadian showrooms by late spring 2011.
Climbing through the hills of Tuscany and actually careening on some stages used by the historical and legendary Mille Miglia, the CLS displays no apparent flaws other than its size; some of these roads were barely wide enough to accommodate a C-Class...
Tight radius, blind, camber changing corners were managed quite well by the suspension's selective damping system. The wide Pirelli tires complained little as the car remained fairly flat and never did the 4-door coupe feel out of sorts. One important element that played an instrumental role in the dynamic drive is Mercedes' Electric Power Steering (EPS). Allowing for a wide range of assistance levels, the EPS does away with vague on-center feel and dodgy steering inputs. What it also does is rob the driver of real sensations but that's exactly what the typical purchaser of a CLS-Class would request.
 |
| This optional lighting system is fully automatic and can detect oncoming traffic by distance and raise or lower its beams. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com) |
BlueEFFICIENCY
For the first time ever, a production car is available with full LED headlamps. This optional lighting system is fully automatic and can detect oncoming traffic by distance and raise or lower its beams. It also requires less energy to operate and their brightness is comparable to natural light. This is but one element of Mercedes BlueEFFICIENCY measures. Another is that the CLS can now be equipped with Start-Stop technology. By combining the 7-speed box', start-stop, LED and optimized engines, the CLS puts out 20% fewer CO2 emissions.
Easy sell
The CLS-Class is undoubtedly an exclusive car given its low sales volumes in Canada and I'm willing to bet that Mercedes-Benz Canada wants to keep it this way. Otherwise, the V6s would have made their way into the car's product planning. Potential Benz owners also want it this way.
The CLS-Class has grown up and out. It is now more mainstream but hasn’t left its roots behind. The biggest change is the loss of fluidity in its design which was the previous CLS’ calling card. It works.
As my time with the car came to an end, I felt anxiety no more. Hubert Lee, Head of Mercedes-Benz’ Design Studio in California, managed a very difficult task: He created the next CLS. I’m certain that this one will sell at least 170,000 more times.
The 2012 CLS-Class is expected to arrive in Canadian showrooms by late spring 2011.
 |
| The biggest change is the loss of fluidity in its design which was the previous CLS’ calling card. It works. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com) |
2012 Mercedes CLS-Class CLS 550 4MATIC
2012 Mercedes CLS-Class CLS 550 4MATIC
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