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Bruce Newton24 Oct 2014
REVIEW

Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class 2014 Review

The CLS 500 Avantgarde Edition 10 is not 10 out of 10 for us, but is nonetheless entirely likeable

Mercedes-Benz CLS 500 Avantgarde 10 Edition
Road Test

The CLS 500 is the Mercedes-Benz take on a luxury four-door 'coupe'. Now well into its second generation, the bi-turbo V8 version we are testing here offers substantial performance and comfort at a price recently discounted by about $50,000. It makes an appealing car all the better, although it's worth bearing in mind a substantial facelift waits in the wings. The CLS 500 Avantgarde Edition 10 is priced from $159,430 (plus on-road costs).

The original CLS is credited – by Mercedes-Benz at least – with 10 years ago creating the luxury four-door coupe segment that has since been aped so often. Think BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe, Porsche Panamera, Audi A7 et al. Let's not think about the BMW 5 Series GT. Please.

So what we have here is the 10 Edition, which commemorates the original, but is based on the second-generation that was launched in Australia in 2011 – and is due for a mid-life facelift pretty soon.

This is the CLS 500, boasting a 300kW and 600Nm bi-turbo 4.7-litre V8 under the bonnet, an air-sprung and rear-wheel drive chassis under your bum, and room for three more posteriors within a cabin that sacrifices headroom for a sleeker roof-line than the E-Class upon which it is based.

Early this year Benz chopped a lazy $50,400 from the price and upped the specification compared to the old standard version – damn there must be some margin in luxury cars! It also dropped the V6 models from the CLS-Class range, leaving only the sensible 250 CDI turbo-diesel 'coupe' and shooting brake below the 500 in the range and the orgiastic 430kW CLS 63 AMG above it.

The 10 Edition adds AMG body styling, 19-inch five-spoke alloy wheels and LED headlights with an intelligent light system, easy-pack quick fold rear seats and DAB+ digital radio.

There was plenty of stuff already standard of course, including a seven-speed automatic transmission with the selector up on the steering column, a sunroof, Comand multimedia system including hard disc sat-nav and 10GB worth of music storage, Harmon Kardon surround sound, heated and powered front seats and tri-zone climate control that can be adjusted for temperature and fan speed by rear-seat passengers.

Safety systems include a reversing camera and parking sensors, no less than 11 airbags, active blind spot and lane-keeping assist, active cruise control, the Pre-Safe crash anticipation system and tyre pressure loss warning. An emergency spare tyre is standard.

The next generation of Benz safety systems including a limited autonomous ability are expected to flow in from the facelift.

Covered in high quality leather interspersed with black ash wood trim, the CLS 500's cabin is a lovely place to be – with provisos. It's not that easy to see out of because of the dramatic angles of the A and C-pillar and thickness of the B-pillar. Also, some of the equipment is running a frag behind the times; the foot-actuated park brake is being replaced by electric switches in the latest Benzes and the media screen is plugged into the dash rather than sitting on top of it like a tablet. That latter point, at least, is addressed in the update coming either late 2014 or early 2015.

Full power adjustment of the steering wheel and seat allows the driver to find the most comfortable position from which to operate the CLS 500. For those new to Benz column shifters, it does take a little while to adjust from a gear lever located in the centre console. Manual changes are now only available by paddles mounted on the steering wheel. Some familiarisation is also required to sort out the clutter of stalks on the left side of the steering column.

The obvious advantage of the gearshifter location is the creation of more storage space in the centre console. And there is heaps, for both bottles and the mountain of crap we carry around with us in our modern lives.

There are also substantial door pockets all round, good storage between the seats in the rear and a decent sized boot. As we've already pointed out, headroom in the rear is somewhat limited, but space in every other direction is generous.

The highlight, once in motion is undoubtedly that big and broad engine. In the not too distant future the V8 will be a memory for virtually all of us and it's sad to contemplate the end of that beat and deep well of torque into which we can dip at the inclination of an ankle. It's not so much that the CLS 500's engine can fling you to silly speeds rather quickly – it can of course – it's that at any speed and any where it is on tap and at your service.

It is mated to Benz's ubiquitous seven-speed auto, which still does such a fine job, changing from unobtrusive servant to aggressive warrior depending on what mode you have tapped in to. Together, engine and transmission take a lot of pain out of progress on our modern road system – be it inching through city traffic, cruising on a country highway, or having a bit of fun on a winding road.

The downside is fuel economy, which is claimed to be 9.9L/100km but came out at 12.5 on test. It's probably not a bad result for a 4900mm-long and 1890kg (kerb) car belting out so much power, even if an idle stop-start function is part of the deal. But there's no doubt the new nine-speed auto (yes nine speeds!) that is expected to arrive with the CLS 500 facelift and should help both performance and economy.

The Airmatic suspension system and rear-wheel drive chassis proves a worthy accomplice to the engine. In comfort mode it absorbs all but the most violent intrusions, while retaining quite disciplined body control. Rotate the knob to Sport and the change is palpable. The car flattens out and tightens up, with road imperfections pattering back into the cabin.

But the light and distant electro-mechanical steering system is hesitant to join the party when corners beckon. It never quite provides the feedback and assertiveness that would make the CLS a truly memorable drive. The overly-intrusive stability control also spoils the fun.

In other circumstances, such as city and suburban driving and highway and freeway cruising, these are not issues. But the CLS is meant to be the sporty mid-size Benz and our experience suggests it could be sportier without spoiling an otherwise very decent package.

So the Edition 10 is not 10 out of 10 for us, more like seven out of 10 – likeable without being desperately lovable.

The update could be worth waiting for.


Price: $159,430 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 4.7-litre eight-cylinder twin-turbo petrol
Output: 300kW/600Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel: 9.9L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 231g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: N/A

What we liked: Not so much:
>> Styling character inside and outside >> Doesn't feel that sporty
>> Luxurious V8 response >> Heavy on the juice
>> Ride comfort >> Difficult to see out of

Aventgarde 10 and CLS 500 4MATIC images shown for illustrative purposes

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