In an attempt to make the CLS as
affordable as it can, Mercedes-Benz China has launched a new entry-level model
that’s powered by a tiny gasoline engine. Dubbed the CLS 260, it slots under
the 300 and 350 in the People’s Republic, and features a 1.5-liter turbocharged
four-pot. Shared with the smaller C-Class, the lump develops an identical 181
HP at 6,100 rpm and 280 Nm of torque from 3,000
to 4,000 rpm.
The power is channeled to the rear wheels
through a nine-speed automatic transmission and, in this form, the CLS 260 can
accelerate to 100 km/h in 8.7 seconds and reach a 250 km/h top speed. The average fuel consumption, according to the local standard, is
32.7 mpg US (7.2 l/100 km).
Pricing starts at 576,800 yuan, which
equals to US$ 81,332 at the current exchange rates and looks like a lot of money
to pay on a four-cylinder CLS, especially considering what happens in other
markets. In the United States, for example, Mercedes is asking a minimum of US$ 69,950 for the entry-level CLS 450. However, this model packs a 3.0-liter
turbocharged six-cylinder engine delivering 362 HP and 500 Nm. The
CLS 450 sprints to 96 km/h in 5.1 seconds with rear-wheel drive and 4.8
seconds with four-wheel drive. The latter variant has an MSRP of US$ 72,450.
For the equivalent of US$ 62,440 (€ 57,792),
German customers can choose the CLS 220d diesel powered by a 192 HP 2.0-liter turbo-four engine enabling a 0-100 km/h sprint of
7.5 seconds and 237 km/h top speed. The CLS 350 petrol variant starts
at € 63,468 (US$ 68,573) and has 295 HP, covering 0-62 mph in 5.9
seconds and reaching a top speed limited to 250 km/h.
