Mercedes-Benz has revealed the third generation of CLS coupe at the 2017 Los Angeles auto show. The four door coupe sports a new design with the new aggressive looking AMG GT-resembling diamond grille, low set headlamps and newly designed two-set tail lights.
Based on the Modular Rear Architecture, being shared with the C-Class and E-Class, aesthetically CLS coupe retains the flowing silhouette of the outgoing model with new cosmetic elements that now adorn it. It gets new LED headlamps and taillamps, a new diamond grille with the logo in the middle on a thin flat chrome bar. The mish-mash of lines is ditched for an elegant looking coupe with minimal lines on the side. Also, the CLS has an impressive drag co-efficient of 0.26 for better aerodynamics.
Moving to the interiors, the coupe gets a whole new digital cockpit and the highlight is the flat bottomed steering wheel. There’s a widescreen split display housed beneath a continuous glass cover. You also get HUD, lane assist, redesigned illuminated air-vents and ambient lighting with 64 colour options. And for the first time, the CLS is a proper five-seater.
The CLS coupe will have three inline six-cylinder engine options at the launch in USA. The diesel include a 2925cc unit that has been tuned in two states – the first one producing 282bhp and 600Nmwhile the other makes 335bhp and 700Nm of torque. The top-of-the-line diesel engine comes with a variable valve lift control for the first time in the CLS. The 3.0-litre, in-line six cylinder petrol engine combines with an electric motor, called EQ Boost. The petrol motor churns out 362bhp while the electric motor generates 21bhp.
The CLS coupe comes with multi-link suspension at the front and rear with the option of air suspension. Add-ons include Driving Assistance Plus package that features speed and steering assist. There is also an Energising Comfort Control combines climate control with customised fragrance, music and ambience lighting opening up to six programmes called Freshness, Warmth, Vitality, Joy, Comfort and Training (includes 3 training modes)
The CLS coupe is expected to be launched by March next year in international markets and will go up against the likes of BMW 6-series Gran Coupe and Audi A7.