Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class 2005 Review

The CLS is the niche model for the enthusiast reluctantly forced to quit two-door motoring to meet the demands of the family.

It meets head-on the 6-Series coupe of arch rival BMW and drives yet another stake into the ailing body of Jaguar, inviting S-Type buyers to look to Germany.

"This four-door coupe is a vehicle with tremendous emotional appeal," DaimlerChrysler design senior vice-president Peter Pfeiffer says.

"Never before have we heard people react so emotionally to an automobile. The best way to prepare for the future is to actively help to shape it," he says.

In blurring the edges between sedan and coupe, Mercedes hopes to attract newcomers to buy something not available from other brands.

It is looking to sell a modest 5000 examples of the CLS in its first year, growing to 30,000 a year.

The CLS-Class sits on a variation of the E-Class structure and floorpan and shares its engines and gearboxes. It will come to Australia next year with three engine options, all mated to Merc's seven-speed adaptive sequential automatic.

The CLS 350 has a newly developed 200kW 24-valve, 3.5-litre V6 and cost about $130,000.

The CLS 500 will be powered by a three-valve-a-cylinder 5.0-litre V8 that puts out 225kW and will cost about $168,000.

The CLS 55 AMG will get awesome power from a 5.4-litre supercharged V8 that generated 350kW of power at $240,000.

The four-door Coupe will come with varying degrees of equipment that steps up along with the engine size. And it has all the latest stability-control equipment.

In its best-dressed guise, the CLS rides on air suspension that can be set for comfort or sports handling.

ON THE ROAD

EVERYTHING about the CLS impresses. But nothing more so than the styling on the outside and the upper-class ambience within.

Passengers in the rear get individual seats and a centre console.

Yet, even though the roof line sweeps down towards the rear and the back window is heavily raked, headroom is astonishingly good.

But good looks alone will never sell a car of this quality unless dynamics match the promise of the shape.

Be assured, the CLS rides, handles and steers, accelerates and stops right on the button.

It is nimble for a large car and always gives the impression it is operating well within its limits even when pressed along winding roads.

It is swift, smooth and highly sophisticated. Mercedes-Benz Australia need have no fear about selling the 350 examples of the car it will be allocated next year and the 400 to 450 in years to follow.

In a stable of remarkable cars, this one is ultra special.

Everyone expects a Merc to motor along with powerful panache.

The big difference is this one looks simply stunning as well.