Mercedes-Benz has updated the CLS-Class, the love child of a C-Class and S-Class, with minor styling tweaks and upgraded onboard technology. There’ll also be a limited edition model of the AMG CLS 53 4Matic+, limited to 300 units.
The styling updates on the facelift are rather subtle compared to the original 3rd gen model that debuted back in 2017. However, the entry-level model comes with ‘Avantgarde Exterior’ as standard with a sporty front bumper, silver chrome accents on the front and rear bumpers, and 19-inch light-alloy wheels. The optional AMG Line gets an AMG-specific front bumper, gloss black accents, boot lid spoiler lip, and 20-inch multi-spoke light-alloy wheels in bi-color finishes.
Those who seek an actual AMG can go for the CLS 53 4Matic+, which also sports subtle styling tweaks over the CLS 53 4Matic+ we saw in 2018. However, there’s the AMG signature grille with vertical bars, and a sporty front bumper with black intake surrounds. The wheel design remains the same. Buyers can go for AMG Night Package or AMG Exterior II Carbon Package, which gets high-gloss black elements and carbon fibre elements, respectively.
We don’t have the picture of the limited edition model, but it gets racing stripes on the side, 20-inch AMG 5-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels in black, and AMG Night Package. For the paintwork, buyers can go for cashmere white magno or selenite grey magno. The optional AMG Dynamic Plus Package also comes standard here, which gets LED AMG 3D logo projection onto the ground when the front doors are opened.
In the cabin, there’s a new steering wheel covered in Nappa leather and an upgraded MBUX system with two 10.25-inch screens (12.3-inch screens optional). Active Brake Assist comes standard. The optional Driving Assistance Package Plus gets Active Stop-and-Go Assist that can take over the task of keeping in lane and maintaining the distance up to approx. 60 km/h (37 mph). Buyers can also go for the Active Parking Assist with Parktronic and 360° camera that makes it possible to enter and leave parking spaces autonomously.
The cabin in the CLS 53 4Matic+ has been spiced up with an AMG Performance steering wheel wrapped in Nappa leather, and seats upholstered in a combination of Nappa leather and Dinamica microfibre. The limited edition model gets carbon fibre accents, red contrast stitching, and AMG steering wheel buttons.
The CLS 53 4Matic+ also gets the AMG Ride Control+ air suspension. The driver gets to play with an additional ‘Race’ driving mode with the Drift function.
Moving on to the juicy bits of the story, the diesel models at launch will be CLS 220d, CLS 300d 4Matic and CLS 400d 4Matic. The 300d is combined with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that offers an additional 15 kW (20.4 metric hp) and 200 Nm (147.5 lb-ft) of electric boost. The powerful diesel variant offers 330 metric hp and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque; it appears that 400d now has 10 hp less.
When it comes to petrol engines, the most powerful and the quickest one is, of course, the AMG 53 4Matic+, which is powered by a 3.0-litre in-line 6-cylinder turbo, developing 320 kW (435 metric hp) and 520 Nm (383.5 lb-ft) of torque. This one too gets the aforementioned mild-hybrid system with 16 kW (22 metric hp) and 250 Nm (184.4 lb-ft) of electric boost. All engines are paired with a 9-speed automatic gearbox. The 250 km/h (155 mph) top speed in the AMG variant can be increased to 270 km/h (168 mph) with the optional AMG Driver’s Package.
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