Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class (C219)

The C219 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class is the first generation of the CLS-Class range of four-door coupe which features a fastback body style by Mercedes-Benz, and was produced between 2003 and 2010. The CLS-Class has only four seats and is marketed by Mercedes as a four-door coupé. It was the first model globally to introduce this four-door coupe style and VW followed with the Volkswagen CC model in 2008 and the Porsche Panamera and Audi A7 in 2009.

The car is less practical than the W211 E-Class that it is based on, with less legroom, headroom, and boot space. The CLS-Class is priced above the E-Class, but below the S-Class in the Mercedes model range. The production of the C219 series totalled only 170,000 units globally throughout its six year production run. It was replaced by the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class (C218) in 2011.

Development and launch
The C219 CLS-Class is based on the Vision CLS concept that was unveiled at the 2003 Frankfurt International Motor Show. The design combined the roof-line of a coupé onto the body of a four-door chassis leading to a fastback vehicle. It featured new technologies such as cornering lights, an electrohydraulic braking system (Sensotronic Brake Control), a seven-speed (7G-Tronic) automatic transmission, and a turbo-diesel engine rated at 197 kW and 560 Nm.

The production version of the C219 CLS-Class was based on the W211 E-Class platform, and shares major components including the engines, transmissions and an identical wheelbase of 2854 mm. The car is 95 mm longer, 51 mm wider, and 27 mm lower in comparison, and features, according to Mercedes, a 30% stiffer suspension setup and faster steering.

Design patents were filed on July 24, 2002. The production version CLS500 debuted at the 2004 New York International Auto Show.

Equipment
Standard equipment includes heated automatically dimming mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, and an automatic climate control system. The CLS-Class comes with front and side airbags, and a smart sensor system connected to the seatbelts and airbags that can detect and react to an accident. Available options include: self-cleaning bi-xenon HID headlamps, radar-guided cruise control, keyless go, GPS navigation, Sensotronic Brake Control and AirMATIC air suspension that can be controlled from the driver and can be raised or lowered by 76 mm.

CLS 55 AMG
The CLS 55 AMG is a high-performance variant of the CLS-Class featuring a 5.4-litre supercharged V8 producing 350 kW and 700 Nm, and was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in 2004. Compared to the standard model, the CLS 55 AMG has larger 360 mm brake discs with eight-piston callipers from the SL55 AMG, wider 18-inch alloy wheels, revised stiffer AirMATIC air suspension with multiple driving modes, AMG bodywork, and a five-speed automatic transmission.

CLS 63 AMG
The CLS 63 AMG was introduced in 2006, as the successor to the CLS 55 AMG. The car is powered by the then new Mercedes M156 engine that produces 383 kW and 630 Nm; with less torque than before in order to accommodate the new AMG Speedshift Plus 7G-Tronic seven-speed transmission, instead of the previous five-speed automatic. The new transmission includes a comfort, sport, and manual mode that allows for the manual changing of gears. Sport mode have shift speeds that are almost 30% faster than comfort and 50% faster than manual. The car also features an updated instrument cluster and alloy-wheel design.

The CLS 63 AMG had a 6208 cc V8 petrol engine, with 514 hp and 630 Nm of torque, and an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h. The CLS 63 AMG was able to reach 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds. Its curb weight was 1870 kg.

CLS Grand Edition (2009)
The CLS Grand Edition was a special edition model of the CLS-Class, with only 560 units produced and sold in 2009. The CLS Grand Edition was available with all non-AMG models at the time, and the CLS 350 CDI model received performance improvements of 38 kW and 50 Nm. Standard equipment included: bi-xenon headlights, titanium grey 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, laurel wood interior trim, and 'Grand Edition' insignia. Models were also offered with a choice of designo leather upholstery and four exclusive metallic exterior paint colours.

2006

 * CLS 350 replaced by CLS 350 CGI
 * CLS 55 AMG replaced by CLS 63 AMG
 * CLS 500 upgraded to 5.5-litre engine
 * SBC was discontinued.

2008 facelift
In 2008, a facelift was introduced for the CLS-Class:


 * Exterior changes include: restyled bumpers and mirrors, LED taillights, redesigned grille now with two louvres, new alloy-wheel designs, squarer shaped tailpipes
 * Interior changes include: introduction of new COMAND APS NTG 2.5 system, non-COMAND systems now have 5.0-inch colour screen, new restyled three-spoke steering wheel
 * CLS63 AMG model now comes with: black grille, 19-inch alloy wheels, AMG sports exhaust system, and new AMG steering wheel
 * Introduction of CLS280 model

Pre-facelift styling

2009

 * Limited production Grand Edition models introduced.

Sales figures
The CLS-Class was produced in Sindelfingen, Germany.

The following are the sales figures in European markets and in the United States only: