Refreshed Mercedes-Benz CLS range breaks cover with sportier look

The Mercedes-Benz CLS has been given a sharper look both inside and out as part of a mid-lifecycle update. The intention for this is to accentuate the four-door coupe’s dynamism even more. Within the cabin, minor revisions have been made as well.

Since the launch of the first generation CLS in 2004, Mercedes-Benz has sold more than 450 000 units of this niche sedan. Having asked some of these customers why they purchased the CLS, most of which were from China, South Korea, USA and Germany respectively, the most common answer was for its sportiness.

The CLS has been shaped to add sportiness to the design.

Leaning into this, the CLS has been updated the entry-level Avantgarde trim with a new front apron boasting larger air intakes, two louvres at the sides and a front splitter in silver-chrome. The rear apron gets a black faux-diffuser insert and a silver-chrome trim strip. Two new designs of 19-inch alloy wheels have also been added to the catalogue.

This spectral blue metallic paint has been added to the palette.

AMG Line models have become more distinctively sporty thanks to the updated AMG styling components which include the AMG-specific front apron with a black A-wing, silver-chrome front splitter, air intakes with vertical bars and aerodynamically shaped flics in high-gloss black.

Additional features include an AMG sill trim on the side and spoiler lip attached to the boot. With the AMG Line, two new colours have been added for the 20-inch alloy wheels; tremolite grey and high-gloss black.

Both Avantgarde and AMG Line models are fitted with a new grille that boasts a three-dimensional star pattern with chrome-gloss surfaces, a high-gloss black louvre with chrome inlay and the integrated Mercedes star logo.

Within the cabin and centre console, two new trim finishes have been added; pen-pore brown walnut or high-gloss grey wood. This is joined by the new neva grey/magma grey and sienna brown/black leather combinations for the seat upholstery. The cockpit is also fitted with a redesigned multifunction steering wheel in Nappa leather with high-gloss black spokes and silver chrome edging and paddle shifters.

A new steering wheel, trim and leather upholstery options have been added to the catalogue.

The Mercedes-AMG CLS53 has been provided with its own unique set of updates. This consists of a redesigned front end with a sporty AMG bumper in A-wing form with black flics, visible air curtains and an AMG signature grille with vertical bars. The surrounds of the windscreen frames make use of polished aluminium but if you select the Night Package this is changed to high-gloss black.

Sportier elements have been added to the AMG variant as well.

Where power is concerned, the CLS53 retains its twin-scroll turbocharged 3,0-litre inline-six engine with 320 kW and a 48-volt EQ Boost which supplies an additional 16 kW.

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