Mercedes-Benz has long been synonymous with luxury, innovation, and groundbreaking design. The Mercedes-Benz 2019 CLS continues this legacy, embodying a new era of automotive excellence. As a pioneer of the four-door coupe segment since its initial introduction in 2003, the CLS has consistently blended the elegance of a coupe with the practicality of a sedan. The third generation, the 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS, amplifies this unique character, showcasing purer CLS genes while embracing the evolution of the Sensual Purity design philosophy. Unveiled at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show and hitting the US market in late 2018 as a 2019 model, this vehicle marks a significant step forward for Mercedes-Benz and the luxury automotive landscape.
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS immediately captivates with its striking exterior. Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer Daimler AG, aptly describes it as a design icon, an archetype of the four-door coupe. The design philosophy, “hot & cool,” is evident in the reduced DNA, resulting in a puristic yet emotionally charged beauty. The front end is dominated by the diamond grille, a signature of Mercedes-Benz coupes, featuring a single louver and a contour that broadens towards the base, reminiscent of the Mercedes-AMG GT. The hood seamlessly integrates into the body surfaces, while the very flat and wide headlamps, angled inwards, dynamically follow the grille’s contour.
The side profile of the 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS is defined by a high, arching waistline and a sporty, low greenhouse, complemented by frameless side windows. The forward-slanting front, likened to a shark’s nose, and the fully inset hood create an elongated and dynamic appearance. Surfaces are generously arched, lines and edges are minimized, all adhering to the sensual purity design ethos. The muscular rear shoulder line smoothly transitions into the flat rear end, a hallmark of the CLS. Coupe characteristics are further emphasized by the two-section taillamps, reflectors integrated into the rear bumper, the license plate positioned in the bumper, and the iconic Mercedes star at the center of the trunk lid. The LED taillamps, mirroring the headlamps, possess a crystalline appearance and generate a three-dimensional effect. Their low placement visually widens the vehicle’s stance.
Stepping inside the 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS reveals a luxurious interior that mirrors the exterior’s sensual and flowing contours. The cabin design prioritizes clear lines and utilizes high-grade materials with exceptional finishing. The width-accentuated cockpit and carefully selected color combinations contribute to a sense of expansive spaciousness. The interior design flows seamlessly from the front to the rear doors, creating a wave-like effect that opens up at the B-pillars. A novel highlight is the illuminated air vents, subtly reminiscent of jet aircraft turbines, adding a touch of modern sophistication to the ambient lighting. The sporty character is further enhanced by the hand-finished appearance of the seats.
The Mercedes-Benz 2019 CLS 450 comes standard with a high-resolution 12.3-inch central display, with an option to upgrade to dual 12.3-inch displays that merge under a continuous glass cover to form a widescreen cockpit. This fully digital cockpit allows drivers to personalize information content based on their preferences and driving conditions. Three distinct display styles – Classic, Sport, and Progressive – cater to individual tastes and interior appointments. The ambient lighting system, customizable in 64 colors and extending to the air vents, adds another layer of personalization. Intelligently, the ambient lighting in the air vents changes color briefly (red for warmer, blue for cooler) when adjusting the climate control temperature. The newly designed seats, featuring high-quality piping, further enhance the interior’s premium feel. While maintaining a sporty single-seat appearance for the outer rear seats, the 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS becomes a five-seater for the first time, adding practicality. The rear seat backrests offer 40/20/40 split-folding capability for enhanced versatility.
Under the hood, the 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS introduces a completely new in-line six-cylinder engine in the CLS 450 and CLS 450 4MATIC models. This engine boasts 362 horsepower, supplemented by a 21 horsepower boost from the integrated starter-generator (EQ Boost) and 48-volt technology. This innovative system enhances efficiency and comfort, offering performance comparable to an eight-cylinder engine but with significantly reduced fuel consumption. The EQ Boost system assists the combustion engine during acceleration, enables “sailing” without engine power, and recuperates energy for battery charging. The CLS 450 engine delivers 369 lb-ft of torque and achieves 0-60 mph acceleration in just 5.1 seconds (4.8 seconds for the 4MATIC version). The 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS also offers a comfortable ride thanks to features like optional AIR BODY CONTROL suspension, ENERGIZING Comfort, and the latest infotainment generation with inductive wireless phone charging and NFC pairing. Standard appointments are extensive, including AMG body styling, newly designed LED headlamps and taillamps, 19-inch light-alloy wheels, a 12.3-inch high-resolution COMAND® display, ambient lighting with illuminated air vents, Car-to-X Communication, and Smartphone Integration.
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS incorporates Intelligent Drive technologies derived from the S-Class flagship. It features the latest generation of driving assistance systems, including route-based speed adaptation and driver support via the Driver Assistance Package. Standard safety features include Active Brake Assist, ATTENTION ASSIST, and PRE-SAFE® occupant protection system. New as standard is PRE-SAFE® Sound, which prepares occupants’ hearing for potential accident noise. The optional Driver Assistance Package further enhances safety and convenience with Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, Active Steering Assist, Active Speed Limit Assist, Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function, Evasive Steering Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, PRE-SAFE® PLUS, and PRE-SAFE® Impulse Side. These systems utilize improved camera and radar technology and, for the first time, incorporate map and navigation data for enhanced driving behavior calculation. The “Assistance Graphics” menu in the instrument cluster provides drivers with a clear overview of activated assistance functions. In stop & go traffic, the system allows for stops of up to 3 seconds before automatically resuming movement. The optional LED Intelligent Light System includes advanced LED headlamps and Ultra Wide Beam high beams for maximum road illumination and Adaptive Highbeam Assist for optimized visibility without dazzling other drivers.
For an even more exclusive offering, the 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS Edition 1 elevates luxury with unique features like the COPPER ART interior concept, black pearl nappa leather seats with copper-colored accents, copper-colored contrasting stitching, a unique diamond grille, and AMG Line exterior styling. Special interior highlights include a black nappa leather dashboard support, natural grain black ash wood trim, an IWC analogue clock, and “Edition 1” badging.
In conclusion, the Mercedes-Benz 2019 CLS stands as a testament to Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to design innovation, technological advancement, and luxurious driving experiences. It successfully refines the four-door coupe segment it pioneered, offering a compelling blend of sporty elegance, advanced technology, and enhanced practicality, making it a standout model in the Mercedes-Benz 2019 lineup and the broader luxury automotive market.
