Mercedes-Benz adds diesel to its sleek CLS

MERCEDES-BENZ has unveiled the facelifted version of its swooping CLS four-door coupe, the first examples of which are due to arrive Down Under in the fourth quarter of this year.

 

Besides the usual styling and interior tweaks (new grille, two new trim finishes and a new steering wheel) commonly headlining mid-lifecycle updates, the CLS’ facelift also ushers in a new range of diesel engines, doubling the variant count.

 

While the local pricing and specification details are yet to be confirmed, the brand has revealed the key figures for the new diesel mills which cover the both four- and six-cylinder configurations.

 

At the bottom of the range is the 220d; a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit developing 143kW of power at 3800rpm and 400Nm of torque between 1600-2800rpm.

 

Sipping between 5.5-6.4 litres of fuel per 100km, the entry-level diesel features no electric assistance, emitting between 143-167g of CO2 per kilometre.

 

While far from being a performance engine, Mercedes says the 220d will go from 0-100km/h in 7.5 seconds before pushing on to 237km/h.

 

Drive is sent to the rear wheels via the same nine-speed automatic transmission as the rest of the range.

 

In the middle of the diesel range is the 300d which is paired exclusively to Mercedes’ 4Matic all-wheel-drive system.

 

Also turbocharged and displacing 2.0 litres, the 300d develops a much healthier 195kW/550Nm and is further aided by now-familiar integrated starter generator (ISG) which can contribute an extra 15kW/200Nm during hard acceleration.

 

Predictably with higher outputs and the adjoining all-wheel-drive system, the 300d uses more fuel than the 220d with the official figure pegged at between 5.8-6.6L/100km on the WLTP cycle, however the 0-100km/h time is vastly improved at 6.4 seconds.

 

CO2 emissions are rated at between 153-172g/km while the top speed is limited to 250km/h.

 

The top-spec oil-burner is the 400d 4Matic which as the name suggests, also ships exclusively with the brand’s all-paw system.

 

Adding on an extra two cylinders, the 400d is a turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six mill developing a chunky 243kW/700Nm with the torque available over a wide 2000rpm band (1200-3200rpm).

 

When all is said and done, 0-100km/h takes a scant 5.2 seconds while the top speed is limited to 250km/h.

 

Not unexpectedly, the 400d also proves to be the thirstiest of the trio, consuming between 6.7-7.4 litres of fuel per 100km and emitting between 175-194g of CO2 per kilometre.

 

The petrol range meanwhile has been carried over untouched and still consists of the familiar 350, 450 4Matic and AMG 53 4Matic+ variants.

 

While the flagship AMG six-banger will continue on as a full-time member of the line-up, a new limited-edition version will be offered globally with just 300 examples set to roll off the production line.

 

Dubbed the ‘Edition’, the limited run of CLS53s are finished in either ‘cashmere white magno’ or ‘selenite grey magno’ paint and come as standard with black 20-inch AMG light-alloy wheels, AMG Night Package and AMG Night Package II (blacked out exterior trim), AMG Dynamic Plus Package, two-tone AMG nappa leather upholstery and carbon trim elements.

 

No changes have been made under the bonnet where the turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six continues to churn out 320kW/520Nm, aided by an uprated ISG which can contribute an extra 16kW/250Nm intermittently.

 

The current CLS has had a conservative start to 2021 with 11 units shifted across January and February, accounting for 2.6 per cent of the $70,000-plus large car segment, a segment it shares with the E-Class – the current segment leader with 157 sales (36.9%).

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