Engineering:Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class (W218)

Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class (W218)
Overview
Manufacturer	Daimler AG
Production	2010–2018
Assembly	Germany: Sindelfingen
Designer	Gorden Wagner
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size luxury car (E)
Body style	4-door coupé 5-door shooting brake
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive Front-engine, all-wheel-drive (4matic)
Related	Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W212)
Powertrain
Engine	2.1 L OM651 I4 turbo / twin-turbo (diesel) 3.0 L OM642 V6 turbo (diesel) 3.0 – 3.5 L M276 V6 (petrol) 4.7 L M278 V8 twin-turbo (petrol) 5.5 L M157 V8 twin-turbo (petrol)
Transmission	7-speed 7G-Tronic automatic 9-speed 9G-Tronic automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,874 mm (113.1 in)
Length	4,937 mm (194.4 in) (C218) 4,953 mm (195.0 in) (X218)
Width	1,881 mm (74.1 in)
Height	1,418 mm (55.8 in) (C218) 1,419 mm (55.9 in) (X218)
uk|uk|Kerb|Curb}} weight	1,660–1,950 kg (3,660–4,299 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class (W219)
Successor	Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class (C257) Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupé (CLS63)

The W218 Mercedes-Benz CLS is the second generation of the Mercedes CLS-Class range of four-door coupés. The model shares the chassis and most of the technology with the W212 Mercedes E-class and was produced from 2010 to 2018. The body styles of the range are:

• 4-door coupé (C218)
• 5-door estate/wagon (X218, marketed as the CLS Shooting Brake)

Unlike its predecessor, the C218/ X218 CLS can be optioned with all-wheel drive 4MATIC on all models including CLS63 AMG variants. Mercedes also introduced a new five-door estate version to the CLS lineup, called the CLS Shooting Brake.

The W218 CLS-Class was succeeded by the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class (C257) in 2018.

Development and launch

The design of the W218 CLS is based on the F800 Style concept car unveiled by Mercedes-Benz at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. It is a four-door coupé featuring a new COMAND interface utilizing a touchpad, design cues inspired by the Mercedes SLS AMG, and sliding rear doors. The production version W218 CLS was publicly unveiled at the 2010 Paris Motor Show and as with the previous generation, is based on the E-Class platform, utilising the same rear multi-link suspension setup.

Body styles

• 

  C218 coupé

• 

  X218 Shooting Brake

Coupé (C218)

Production started on January 2011, with 4MATIC model sales starting later in September.

Shooting Brake (X218)

The CLS Shooting Brake was announced on June 2012, and is an estate version of the CLS sedan. It is based on the Concept Shooting Brake unveiled at Auto China 2010. Shooting Brake models went on sale from October 2012, and are available alongside sedan models in all-wheel drive and AMG variants. It is currently not sold in the United States. It is the most expensive serial production station wagon in the world since year 1992.

Equipment

Standard equipment includes bi-xenon headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, dual zone automatic climate control, power sunroof, and satellite navigation with a 10TB hard-drive. Standard safety equipment consists of anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, active head restraints, and 10 total front, side, and knee airbags. CLS models also come with driver fatigue detection and lane departure warning system functions as standard. Available options include Mercedes' AirMATIC air suspension, traffic sign recognition, and a reversing camera in conjunction with the COMAND APS system.

Models

Petrol engines

Model	Years	Engine	Power	Torque	0-100 km/h (0-62 mph)
CLS350 BlueEFFICIENCY	2011–2014	M276 DE35 3.5 L V6	225 kW (302 hp) @ 6,500 rpm	370 N⋅m (273 lb⋅ft) @ 3,500–5,250 rpm	6.1 s
CLS400	2014–2017	M276 E30 3.0 L V6	245 kW (329 hp) @ 5,250–6,000 rpm	480 N⋅m (354 lb⋅ft) @ 1,200–4,000 rpm	5.3 s
CLS500 BlueEFFICIENCY	2011–2014	M278 DE46 4.7 L V8 twin-turbo	300 kW (402 hp) @ 5,000–5,750 rpm	600 N⋅m (443 lb⋅ft) @ 1,600–4,750 rpm	5.2 s
	2014–2017				4.8 s
CLS63 AMG	2011–2013	M157 DE55 5.5 L V8 twin-turbo	386 kW (518 hp) @ 5,250–5,750 rpm	700 N⋅m (516 lb⋅ft) @ 1,700–5,000 rpm	4.4 s
	2013–2017		410 kW (550 hp) @ 5,250–5,750 rpm	720 N⋅m (531 lb⋅ft) @ 1,750–5,000 rpm	4.2 s
CLS63 AMG Performance Package	2011–2013		410 kW (550 hp) @ 5,750 rpm	800 N⋅m (590 lb⋅ft) @ 2,000–4,500 rpm	4.3 s
CLS63 AMG S	2013–2017		430 kW (577 hp) @ 5,500 rpm		3.6 s

Diesel engines

Model	Years	Engine	Power	Torque	0-100 km/h (0-62 mph)
CLS220 BlueTEC	2014–2017	OM651 DE22 2.1 L I4 turbo	125 kW (168 hp) @ 3,000–4,200 rpm	400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft) @ 1,400–2,800 rpm	8.3 s
CLS250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY	2011–2014	OM651 DE22 2.1 L I4 twin-turbo	150 kW (201 hp) @ 4,200 rpm	500 N⋅m (369 lb⋅ft) @ 1,600–1,800 rpm	7.5 s
CLS250 BlueTEC	2014–2017
CLS350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY	2011–2014	OM642 DE30 3.0 L V6 turbo	195 kW (261 hp) @ 3,800 rpm	620 N⋅m (457 lb⋅ft) @ 1,600–2,400 rpm	6.2 s
CLS350 BlueTEC	2014–2017	OM642 LS DE30 3.0 L V6 turbo	190 kW (255 hp) @ 3,400 rpm	620 N⋅m (457 lb⋅ft) @ 1,600–2,400 rpm	6.5 s

CLS63 AMG

CLS63 AMG sedan

CLS63 AMG sedan

The CLS63 AMG is a high performance variant of the CLS and went on sale on March 2011. It features a 5.5 L twin-turbo V8 rated at 386 kW (518 hp) and 700 N⋅m (516 lb⋅ft). Standard equipment includes an AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed transmission, a 24 mm (1 in) wider front track, larger 360 mm ventilated and perforated brake discs, an AMG sports exhaust system, and a three-spoke AMG Performance steering wheel with shift paddles. The CLS63 AMG is available in both sedan and Shooting Brake variants, as well as in rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive 4MATIC configurations.

Edition 1 models were available exclusively in the first year of its market launch, and featured minor power increases of 29 kW (39 hp) and 100 N⋅m (74 lb⋅ft). Other additions include Edition 1 insignia, matte exterior paintwork, designo leather, and a choice of three AMG exclusive interior trim. An AMG Performance Package was also offered separately, and featured a carbon-fibre spoiler lip, red brake calipers, and increased performance gains of 24 kW (32 hp) and 100 N⋅m (74 lb⋅ft), resulting in a 0-60 mph time of 4.1 s.

From April 2013, the CLS63 AMG range was updated to now produce 410 kW (550 hp) and 720 N⋅m (531 lb⋅ft). The Performance Package was also replaced by the new CLS63 AMG S model, featuring further performance and efficiency enhancements, all-wheel drive 4MATIC as standard, and a rear locking differential. It is also available as a Shooting Brake variant and launched in June 2013.

Model year changes

Facelift W218 CLS sedan

2014 facelift

A facelift was introduced for the CLS model range in 2014.

The major changes are:

• A redesigned front fascia with a diamond-patterned radiator grille and new anti-dazzle MULTIBEAM LED headlights
• Interior changes including a new steering wheel design and a larger free standing 8-inch COMAND APS display
• New model naming scheme for diesel engines (CLS350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY now called CLS350d)
• Introduction of CLS400 and CLS220d models, and updated CLS350d engine
• Introduction of 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic transmission on all models (excluding the CLS400)

2016

• CLS400 receives 9-speed automatic transmission

Sales figures

As with the previous generation, the CLS sedan and Shooting Brake models are produced in Sindelfingen, Germany .

The following are the sales figures for the W218 CLS in Europe only:

Year	Total
2011	17,414
2012	12,797
2013	15,139
2014	10,289
2015	12,600
2016	7,803
2017	5,116
Total:	81,158

Awards

• 2010 Auto Bild 'Golden Steering Wheel Award'
• 2010 Auto Zeitung 'Best Car of the Year' (luxury segment)
• 2011 auto motor und sport 'Autonis Awards'
• 2011 Automotive Brand Contest 'Best of Best' (exterior category)
• 2013 Auto Zeitung Design Award for the CLS Shooting Brake
• 2016 cars.com 'Luxury Car of the Year'