Class act

[mr funny]

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/sub/...07666,00.html?

Published October 9, 2010

Class act

The Mercedes-Benz CLS 350 can be manoeuvred as nimbly as a compact C-Class. By Samuel Ee


FOR what is arguably an automotive oxymoron, the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class 'four-door coupe' has been a pretty successful model. Now, there is a new version and it looks even better. When the first CLS was unveiled in 2004, it virtually created a new segment. This big sedan with its swoopy coupe-like styling and four seats went on to sell 170,000 units worldwide. As further testimony to its success, competitors have replicated various versions of it.


ON THE PROWL
The CLS has a new interpretation of the 'dropping line'. This styling feature makes the car look like it is crouched down and ready to leap

Now the brand with the three-pointed star has introduced the second-generation CLS-Class. Based on the new E-Class platform, the new car also has some design cues taken from that popular Merc saloon, such as the muscular rear haunches.

More interestingly, the CLS has a new interpretation of the 'dropping line' - a body crease line which starts from the front wheel arch and tapers downwards toward the rear wheel arch. This styling feature makes the car look like it is crouched down and ready to leap. At the same time, it follows the sloping roofline to 'enlarge' the rear door window.

Whatever the case, this and the various bulges on the bodywork serve to make the new CLS a visually interesting car with aggressive and athletic overtones.

Underneath the sheet metal, the CLS has modified the E-Class' front axle for improved steering response. The CLS also has a new electromechanical EPS steering that promises to be more precise but still retaining that traditional Mercedes feeling of comfort and stability.

The Direct-Steer system has a variable rack, so once the steering wheel is turned more than 90 degrees, the steering becomes 30 per cent faster to enable sportier behaviour.

The fully electric steering also varies the level of assistance in certain driving situations to enhance safety. If the car is understeering, for example, the steering wheel will feel lighter to encourage the driver to turn in more. If it is a case of oversteering, the assistance is reduced to discourage more steering effort.

Mercedes-Benz has given the CLS-Class three new engines - a 3.0-litre turbodiesel, and two petrol units - a 3.5-litre V6 and a 5.0-litre V8 biturbo.

The CLS 350 BlueEfficiency has 306hp - up 34 horses from the old CLS 350 and the same as the previous CLS 500. The new CLS 500 with its twin turbos now generates 408 horses and a whopping 600 Newton-metres of torque from just 1,600 rpm.

But more than sheer power, it is the overall refinement of the new CLS-Class that impresses most. The power of the CLS 350 BlueEfficiency is delivered through the 7G-Tronic Plus automatic transmission with the silken smoothness of tuna belly sashimi.

Despite its lightweight body construction with four aluminium doors, the large CLS 350 still weighs in at 1,735kg. But its performance always remains near effortless.

The steering is accurate and the CLS 350 can be manoeuvred as nimbly as a compact C-Class. Rarely has a big Benz handled so well. Yet, its interior is hushed and the cabin calm.

One reason is the stiffened bodyshell, with static rigidity up by 28 per cent and torsional stiffness 6 per cent higher. Another factor is the body design. Open one of the frameless doors and you will notice that the CLS has additional, wider door seals. And instead of one, the door opening on the body has two 'lips' for a tighter fit.

Combined with Merc's usual high standard of ride comfort, the backseat experience in the CLS is elevated to a new level. The second-generation car also has improved rear headroom, so any six-footer who complains about this probably has big hair.

In terms of design, the new and more muscular Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class is a visual treat. In terms of performance, it is a big Merc that is fun to drive. This CLS is certainly a class act.

[email protected]

SPECS

Mercedes-Benz CLS 350 BlueEfficiency

Engine 3,498cc V6
Transmission 7-speed automatic
Max power 306 hp @ 6,500 rpm
Max torque 370 Nm @ 3,500-5,250 rpm
0-100 kmh 6.2 secs
Top speed 250 kmh (limited)
Distributor Cycle & Carriage
Tel: 6298-1818

[mr funny]

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/sub/...07667,00.html?

Published October 9, 2010

Designer touch

Mercedes-Benz has focused much attention on the new CLS-Class' looks. By Samuel Ee


AFTER launching the first CLS-Class six years ago and creating a new vehicle category, Mercedes-Benz discovered that one-third of its buyers were conquests, that is, they used to drive another make. Another nugget of information was that two-thirds of the customers said design was the most important consideration in their decision to buy a CLS.


The handcrafted cabin is luxurious, with stitched leather on the dashboard of the wraparound cockpit, as well as genuine carbon fibre or piano lacquer.

So it is no coincidence that the German luxury carmaker has focused much attention on the new CLS-Class' looks.

Styled at its California design studio, the CLS has a new radiator grille and full LED headlamps - the first for a production model. With its athletic front and muscular rear, its designers says there is no risk of confusing the CLS with other Mercedes-Benz models.

The new CLS is based on the same platform as the new E-Class but it has the exact same exterior dimensions as the old CLS, although with more elbow room and shoulder movement. The handcrafted cabin is also luxurious, with stitched leather on the dashboard of the wraparound cockpit, as well as genuine carbon fibre or piano lacquer.

Also new is the use of colour symbols in the centre instrument display. As a result, assistance and warning signals are now sharper and more vividly rendered.

Nine airbags are standard, including two new front pelvis bags. There are also 12 driver assistance systems, including Night View Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, and Active Parking Assist. The LED headlamps also come with Adaptive Highbeam Assist.

To shed weight, the new CLS uses four all-aluminium doors - the first Merc model to do so - thus saving 24kg. Also using the lightweight metal are the bonnet, front wings, and boot lid. To increase rigidity, about 72 per cent of the body structure uses high-strength and ultra- high strength steel alloys. Overall, the body's static bending strength is up by 28 per cent.

Together with increased torsional stiffness of 6 per cent, the CLS not only offers better handling for the driver but also reduced noise, vibration, and harshness levels in the cabin.

This is because higher rigidity means less vibrations passing from the chassis into the bodywork, thus enhancing ride and acoustic comfort.

Europe is forecast to be the biggest market for the new CLS, or 46 per cent of overall sales. The car will be launched there in January. For Singapore, expect it to arrive some time in September.

[email protected]

[mr funny]

http://www.straitstimes.com/Life%252...ry_588333.html

Oct 9, 2010

Worthy successor

The new CLS does not disappoint with its sleek styling, great handling and eco-friendly features

By andre lam, in florence, italy


The problems of tight headroom and limited rear space have been fixed in the second-generation Mercedes-Benz CLS350. --PHOTOS: MERCEDES-BENZ

Back in 2005, the original CLS broke new ground with its four-door 'coupe' design. It has notched up sales of 170,000 units to date, which is great for a premium niche model.

The new second-generation CLS, five years in the making, has a lot to live up to then.

Whether it is due to the combination of complex lines with the familial Mercedes-Benz look or that aggressively bold snout, this model will take some getting used to.

It does stretch the styling envelope closer to the limit than most Mercs today, just as it did in 2005.

The new CLS is not just an elaborate re-styling exercise, although 80 per cent of its owners cite styling as its main attraction.

The new CLS has been engineered from the ground up to be 25 per cent more efficient in terms of carbon dioxide emission and fuel consumption.

More obviously, the new cabin has fixed the poor headroom and limited rear space that afflict the previous car.

Initially, the CLS350 will be offered in both petrol and diesel versions.

Later, these will be joined by the CLS500 with a 408bhp V8 motor. With its single-digit combined fuel consumption of 9 litres per 100km, the CLS500 is the most efficient V8-powered car currently.

The new CLS350 gets to 100kmh in 6.2 seconds and reaches a governed top speed of 250kmh.

The V6 engine is more refined than before and spins happily to the rev limit, accommodating those with a penchant for quick acceleration.

There is more than enough torque to cruise effortlessly in and around town.

There is, of course, a paddle-shift feature for the seven-speed automatic transmission but it works very well on its own without manual intervention.

The new CLS' exterior and interior designs are excellent but the on-road driving package is equally exceptional.

When fitted with the optional Airmatic suspension, the CLS has an impossibly good ride, considering its sporty handling.

The body control is certainly close to being the best in the car's class and the cornering performance is a big improvement over that of the old model.

In fact, the new CLS feels more capable around corners than the E-Class on which it is based.

Part of the credit for this goes to the electrically assisted power steering. This newly developed system will find its way into all Mercedes cars in due course, including the next S-Class.

The steering is not exactly full of feel but is very positive, very direct and perhaps better than what one has come to expect from a large Mercedes.

The updated CLS is genuinely entertaining to hustle over the small roads surrounding the ancient Italian city of Florence.

In conclusion, the new CLS is even more impressive than the old one. But with strong rivals such as the Audi A7 in the same market segment, the swoopy saloon has to employ both its style and substance to stay ahead of the competition.

[email protected]

MERCEDES-BENZ CLS350

Price with COE: To be advised

Engine: 3,498cc 24-valve V6

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 306bhp at 6,500rpm

Torque: 370Nm at 3,500-5,250rpm

0-100kmh: 6.2 seconds

Top speed: 250kmh (governed)

Fuel consumption: 6.8 litres/100km (city-highway)

Agent: Cycle & Carriage

[august]

swee lah ~~

[Geylang OKT]

This one can contra? What is the COV? High floor or low floor?