Mercedes has announced a series of updates
for the 2021 CLS. While it eschews a facelift, the CLS features a revised color
palette that now includes Cirrus Silver and Mojave Silver. Moving into the
cabin, there are two 10.25- or 12.3-inch displays. The latter are standard in
the United States but, globally, the CLS features a touchscreen infotainment
system with the latest version of the MBUX operating system.
Mercedes noted the system has artificial
intelligence and this allows for predictive functions such as suggesting to
call a certain people your regularly talk to on a specific day of the week. The
system can also be equipped with high-tech options such as augmented reality
navigation which shows a live video feed and then superimposes directional
information on top of it.
Speaking of technology, the CLS has been
outfitted with the latest driver assistance systems. Among the highlights are
Active Brake Assist and an Active Speed Limit Assist system which slows down
the vehicle as it approaches bends, roundabouts, toll stations and T-junctions.
The model also has a smarter Active Distance Assist system and a Cross-Traffic
system which now works when turning across an oncoming lane. In the United
States, the CLS with be offered with two carryover powertrains. The CLS 450 has
a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six which produces 362 hp and 500 Nm of torque. The model also has an EQ Boost function which can
deliver an additional 21 hp.
In terms of performance, the car can
accelerate from 0-96 km/h in 5.1 seconds before hitting an electronically
limited top speed of 209 km/h. With all-wheel drive, the dash to 96 km/h drops to 4.8 seconds. Customers looking for more power can
upgrade to the AMG CLS 53. It has 429 hp and 520
Nm of torque, which drops the 0-96 km/h time to approximately 4.4
seconds. The model can also hit 250 km/h, when equipped with optional summer tires.
In Europe, the lineup also includes two
diesel engines. The CLS 220d has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 191 hp and 400 Nm of torque. It allows for a 0-100 km/h)time of 7.5 seconds and a top speed of 237 km/h. Likewise,
the CLS 400d 4MATIC has a 2.9-liter engine developing 325 hp and 700 Nm of torque. 100 km/h comes in five seconds flat,
while the top speed is 250 km/h.
The updated CLS is currently available to
order in Germany where pricing starts at € 59,386.95. A U.S. launch is scheduled
for late this year, but pricing hasn’t been announced.
