The second generation of the CLS was unveiled as a concept car in the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. In 2011, the first production models went on sale to the public. The first generation of this car was released in 2004. This car sits between the E-Class and the S-Class.
There are two diesel engines available to the Irish market. The first is the CLS 220D. This 2.2 litre engine offers 177bhp and when you put the foot down, it will bring you from 0-100km/h in just 8.3 seconds. Top speed is 226km/h. The next option is the 3.0 litre 350D. This 6-cylinder vehicle offer 258bhp and takes you from 0-100km/h in just 6.5 seconds and has a top speed of 250 km/h. The car comes with the option of their excellent 9-speed automatic transmission.
This rear wheel drive package comes with a choice of suspension set-ups and the comfort set-up is appealing to us - however, if you have the money, then the air option is a great choice. The sport suspension is a bit on the firm side. Steering is excellent and offers very good feedback.
In typical Mercedes form, this is a refined luxury car. However, it does pick up both road and wind noises - especially when cruising on the motorway. The 220D, 4-cylinder engine also sounds a little unsettled, while the V6 option is all good.
Quality is a term that Mercedes-Benz certainly understands. The seats are very comfortable and the interior layout is good. The car is low, and getting into the back seats can be a bit of a challenge. The infotainment system can also be on the complicated side.
This vehicle has not undergone the Euro NCAP testing. However, it’s based on the E-Class which has received 5-stars in the same test. This car comes jam-packed with safety equipment. If you pay the money, you can opt for a 360 degree camera. The car comes with an adaptive brake with hold function, hill start assist, anti-lock braking system, acceleration skid control, electronic stability control, and much more. If you want to add to the safety of the vehicle you can also opt for blind spot assist, traffic sign assist, reversing camera, and much more.
While this is a four-door coupé – or even an estate, if you’re looking at the Shooting Brake version, the back seat is good for two adults and head height is not really a problem – some might expect it to be because of the coupe slant to the rear. The boot is good too, with the Shooting Brake offering 590 litres and the coupe version offering 475 litres.