The Mercedes-Benz CLS is a four-door coupé produced by Mercedes-Benz since 2004. It was first introduced as a Concept Car at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show and went into production in 2005. The CLS is built on the E-Class platform, but features a more sloping roofline and a more aggressive design language.
The first generation of the CLS (W218) featured a 2.7-liter V6 diesel engine, producing 190 horsepower, as well as a range of petrol engines including a 3.5-liter V6 that produced 292 horsepower. In 2008, Mercedes-Benz introduced a facelifted version of the CLS with revised front and rear bumpers, LED daytime running lights, and an updated interior.
In 2010, the second generation of the CLS (C218) was launched, featuring a more aggressive design language and a range of new engines. The C218 CLS was offered with a range of petrol and diesel engines, including a 3.5-liter V6 that produced 306 horsepower, as well as a 4.7-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that produced 429 horsepower.
In 2018, the third generation of the CLS (C257) was launched, featuring a more streamlined design language and a range of new engines. The C257 CLS is offered with a range of petrol engines, including a 3.0-liter inline-6 that produces 362 horsepower, as well as a 4.7-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that produces 469 horsepower.
Throughout its production run, the Mercedes-Benz CLS has been praised for its design and handling, with many critics considering it to be one of the most stylish and capable four-door coupés on the market. However, it has also been criticized for being less practical than other members of the E-Class family, due to its sloping roofline which limits rear headroom.
In 2019, Mercedes-Benz announced that the CLS would be discontinued in favor of the new EQS electric car.
