Mercedes-Benz has long been synonymous with luxury, innovation, and groundbreaking design. In 2003, they redefined automotive aesthetics with the introduction of the CLS, a vehicle that daringly merged the sleek lines of a coupe with the practicality of a sedan. For 2019, the Mercedes-Benz CLS enters its third generation, building upon this iconic legacy while pushing the boundaries of technology, comfort, and style even further. This new iteration of the CLS is not just an evolution; it’s a revolution, setting new standards in the four-door coupe segment.
This in-depth exploration will delve into every facet of the 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS, from its captivating exterior and luxurious interior to its cutting-edge technology and powerful performance. We will uncover what makes this vehicle a standout choice for discerning drivers who demand both elegance and dynamism.
Evolution of an Icon: Design and Exterior Highlights of the 2019 CLS
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS embodies the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz’s “Sensual Purity” design philosophy. It’s a visual masterpiece that captures attention with its confident sportiness and refined elegance, staying true to the original CLS DNA while embracing modern design cues.
Alt: Front view of the 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS showcasing its diamond grille and sharp LED headlights.
Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer Daimler AG, aptly describes the new CLS as a “design icon” and the “archetype of the four-door coupe.” The design ethos focuses on puristic forms, reducing lines to their essence while amplifying emotional appeal.
Key Exterior Design Features:
- Forward-Slanting Front End: The “shark nose” front fascia, with its grille contour widening towards the base, lends the 2019 CLS an assertive and dynamic stance. This design element not only enhances its sporty appearance but also subtly improves aerodynamics.
- Diamond Grille: A signature element of Mercedes-Benz coupes, the diamond grille with a single louver is prominently featured. Its silhouette mirrors the powerful Mercedes-AMG GT grille, reinforcing the performance lineage of the CLS.
- Flat, Wide LED Headlights: The headlights are not just visually striking but also technologically advanced. Their flat and wide design, with inward-slanting flanks, seamlessly integrates with the grille contour and provides exceptional illumination. The optional LED Intelligent Light System with Ultra Wide Beam high beams further enhances visibility, maximizing road and surrounding area illumination.
- Frameless Side Windows and Low Greenhouse: Maintaining the coupe aesthetic, the 2019 CLS features frameless side windows and a low greenhouse, creating a sleek and elongated profile. The high, arching waistline further emphasizes its muscular and sporty character.
- Two-Section LED Taillamps: The rear design is equally captivating, characterized by two-section LED taillamps with a crystalline appearance that creates a three-dimensional effect. Their low positioning accentuates the vehicle’s width, contributing to a powerful rear stance.
- Muscular Rear Shoulder Line: The rear shoulder line flows smoothly into the flat rear end, highlighting the coupe’s elegant proportions. Details like reflectors integrated into the rear bumper and the license plate positioned in the bumper contribute to the clean and sophisticated rear design.
Interior Luxury and Technology: Stepping Inside the 2019 CLS
The interior of the 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS is a sanctuary of modern luxury, blending high-grade materials with cutting-edge technology to create an immersive and comfortable environment for both driver and passengers.
Alt: Interior view of the 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS showcasing the widescreen digital instrument cluster and ambient lighting.
Key Interior Features:
- Widescreen Digital Instrument Cluster: The centerpiece of the dashboard is the optional widescreen cockpit, formed by two 12.3-inch displays merging seamlessly beneath a single glass cover. This digital marvel allows drivers to customize information displays with three selectable styles: Classic, Sport, and Progressive.
- Ambient Lighting with Illuminated Air Vents: Creating a unique and customizable atmosphere, the 2019 CLS offers 64-color ambient lighting, including illuminated air vents reminiscent of jet aircraft turbines. The ambient lighting dynamically changes color to indicate temperature adjustments in the climate control system.
- Sporty, Width-Accentuated Cockpit: The cockpit design emphasizes spaciousness and sportiness, with a flowing design that extends from the front to the rear doors. The color combination and layout contribute to a sense of generous space and sophisticated elegance.
- Newly Designed Seats: Exclusively designed for the 2019 CLS, the seats feature high-quality piping and offer exceptional comfort and support. The rear seats mirror the design of the front seats, creating a sporty, individual-seat impression, even though the 2019 CLS is now a five-seater for the first time. The 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats enhance practicality and cargo versatility.
- High-Grade Materials and Finish: Throughout the cabin, premium materials and meticulous craftsmanship are evident. Open-pore or high-gloss wood trim on the center console adds a touch of natural elegance, while hand-finished seat upholstery further elevates the sense of luxury.
Performance and Innovation: Under the Hood of the 2019 CLS
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS isn’t just about looks and luxury; it’s also a powerhouse of performance and technological innovation. The introduction of a new in-line six-cylinder engine with 48-volt technology marks a significant step forward in efficiency and driving dynamics.
Powertrain and Performance:
- New In-line Six-Cylinder Engine with EQ Boost: The CLS 450 and CLS 450 4MATIC models are powered by a completely new 3.0-liter in-line six-cylinder engine. This engine boasts 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, supplemented by an additional 21 horsepower boost and significant torque from the EQ Boost integrated starter-generator.
- 48-Volt Technology with Integrated Starter-Generator (ISG): The 48-volt onboard electrical system with ISG is a key innovation in the 2019 CLS. This system enhances efficiency through features like “sailing” (driving without the combustion engine) and high-efficiency recuperation, enabling fuel savings previously associated with high-voltage hybrid technology. The EQ Boost system also provides seamless start-stop operation and assists the combustion engine during acceleration, resulting in responsive and refined performance.
- Performance Figures: The CLS 450 accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.1 seconds, while the CLS 450 4MATIC achieves this in an even quicker 4.8 seconds. This performance underscores the sporty character of the 2019 CLS, delivering the power of an eight-cylinder engine with improved fuel economy.
Suspension and Driving Dynamics:
- AIR BODY CONTROL Suspension: The optional AIR BODY CONTROL air suspension elevates ride comfort and handling dynamics. This system features adjustable and adaptive damping, allowing drivers to tailor the vehicle’s characteristics from comfortable to sporty using the driving mode selector.
- Four-Link Front and Five-Link Rear Suspension: The 2019 CLS utilizes a sophisticated suspension setup with a four-link front suspension and a five-link rear suspension, ensuring precise handling and a comfortable ride. A dynamically tuned steel comfort suspension is standard.
Intelligent Drive: Advanced Assistance Systems in the 2019 CLS
Drawing inspiration from the flagship S-Class, the 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS incorporates the latest generation of driving assistance systems, enhancing safety, convenience, and overall driving experience.
Key Driver Assistance Features:
- Driver Assistance Package (Optional): This comprehensive package includes a suite of advanced systems:
- Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC: Automatically maintains a safe distance from vehicles ahead and now adjusts speed proactively for bends and junctions.
- Active Steering Assist: Provides steering support to help keep the vehicle in its lane.
- Active Speed Limit Assist: Automatically adjusts the vehicle’s speed to detected speed limits.
- Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function: Helps prevent or mitigate collisions with vehicles and pedestrians, including cross-traffic situations.
- Evasive Steering Assist: Provides steering support to help the driver evade obstacles in emergency situations.
- Active Blind Spot Assist: Monitors blind spots and provides warnings and corrective steering input to prevent lane changes into occupied lanes.
- Active Lane Keeping Assist: Helps prevent unintentional lane departures by providing warnings and steering intervention.
- PRE-SAFE® PLUS and PRE-SAFE® Impulse Side: Enhance occupant protection in rear-end and side collisions.
- Standard Safety Features: Even without the optional package, the 2019 CLS comes standard with a range of safety systems:
- Active Brake Assist: Helps prevent or mitigate collisions.
- ATTENTION ASSIST: Monitors driver drowsiness and provides warnings.
- PRE-SAFE®: Prepares the vehicle and occupants for an impending collision.
- PRE-SAFE® Sound: Emits a brief interference signal to prepare occupants’ hearing for the loud noises of a collision.
- Improved Camera and Radar Systems: Enhanced sensors provide a better view of surrounding traffic, enabling more effective operation of assistance systems.
- Map and Navigation Data Integration: For the first time, the 2019 CLS utilizes map and navigation data to anticipate driving conditions and optimize assistance system performance.
- Assistance Graphics Display: The instrument cluster provides clear visual feedback on the status and operation of assistance systems.
ENERGIZING Comfort: Wellness on the Go in the 2019 CLS
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS goes beyond traditional comfort features by offering ENERGIZING Comfort, a system that links various vehicle comfort systems to create wellness programs tailored to the driver’s mood and needs.
ENERGIZING Comfort Programs:
- System Integration: ENERGIZING Comfort utilizes functions of the climate control system (including fragrance), seats (heating, ventilation, massage), surface and steering wheel heating, ambient lighting, and musical atmospheres.
- Program Variety: Six pre-configured programs are available:
- Refresh/Freshness: Invigorates and revitalizes the driver.
- Warmth: Provides soothing warmth and relaxation.
- Vitality: Energizes and activates the driver.
- Joy: Uplifts mood and creates a positive atmosphere.
- Comfort/Well-Being: Promotes relaxation and overall well-being.
- Training: Offers three training modes (muscle relaxation, muscle activation, and balance) with in-seat exercises.
- Enhanced Well-being: By harmonizing these comfort systems, ENERGIZING Comfort aims to enhance the driver’s well-being and performance levels, particularly on long journeys.
Edition 1: An Exclusive Launch Model of the 2019 CLS
To mark the launch of the new generation, Mercedes-Benz offered the 2019 CLS Edition 1, an even more exclusive and richly appointed version of the four-door coupe.
Edition 1 Highlights:
- COPPER ART Interior Concept: Features black pearl nappa leather seats with diamond-design center sections and copper-colored accents, copper-colored contrasting topstitching throughout the interior, and a unique diamond grille with copper-colored shimmer.
- AMG Line Exterior: Based on the AMG Line, the Edition 1 boasts sporty exterior styling cues.
- Exclusive Exterior Details: Includes LED Intelligent Light headlamps, 19-inch multi-spoke AMG light-alloy wheels in black with a high-sheen rim flange, and “Edition 1” lettering on the front fenders.
- Luxurious Interior Appointments: Features dashboard support lined in black nappa leather, natural grain black ash wood trim, an IWC analogue clock with an exclusive dial face, a high-gloss black vehicle key, “Edition 1” floor mats, and “Edition 1” badging and displays.
Conclusion: The 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS – A New Benchmark in Four-Door Coupes
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS stands as a testament to Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to innovation, luxury, and design leadership. It successfully merges the elegance of a coupe with the practicality of a sedan, offering a compelling blend of style, performance, and technology. From its captivating exterior and opulent interior to its advanced driving assistance systems and efficient powertrains, the 2019 CLS redefines the four-door coupe segment and sets a new benchmark for automotive excellence. For those seeking a vehicle that embodies both sophistication and driving pleasure, the 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS is an exceptional choice.
