ROAD TEST
Mercedes-Benz CLS 350 BlueTec
Johannesburg - I was impressed with the way my robotised co-pilot was handling the situation.
The driving antics of Johannesburg’s kamikaze-minded minibus-taxi drivers sometimes defy all reason, but this Merc’s electronic brain seemed to cope with the madness and guided itself through the meleé without frying a single silicone chip.
I was driving the new CLS 350 BlueTec in its semi auto-pilot mode, which in Mercedes lingo is called Distronic Plus with Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot. It’s an extra-cost option in the newly-revamped CLS range, and works by automatically keeping a safe following distance in traffic while the electric steering makes small adjustments to ensure the Merc stays in its lane.
Quite an eerie feeling, and it’s the closest a car gets to actually driving itself, although for safety reasons it shuts down the auto-steering mode if you take your hands off the wheel - just in case you’re tempted to start texting on your phone or take a snooze in the midst of rush-hour traffic.
This semi auto-pilot is one of several new gizmos available as part of a mid-life technology tweak and facelift to Merc’s four-door coupé.
The CLS, as a reminder, is based on the E-Class sedan but wrapped in more sultry outfit, kind of like putting Anne Hathaway in a Catwoman suit. To go with those swept-back aerodynamic curves, the CLS gets a range-wide styling tweak consisting of a new “diamond” radiator grille, a pronounced front bumper with large air intakes, multi-beam LED headlamps and new rear tail-lights that shine progressively brighter the harder you brake.
Along with the facelift, two new derivatives were added to the range: the petrol-engined CLS 400 and the turbodiesel CLS 350 BlueTec.
VELVETY V6
On test here is the 350 BlueTec version selling for R895 257, which is ushered along by a velvety V6 three-litre turbodiesel paired with a new nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic gearbox with a wider spread of economy-improving ratios. All other derivatives, except for the CLS 500, continue with the trusted seven-speed 7G-Tronic Plus.
Nine speeds may sound like overkill but there’s no frantic gearswopping - it occurs in the background without any uncomfortable jarring.
The power delivery’s smooth and fuss-free, and not short of muscle either. High-speed cruising and oodles of overtaking torque are the real highlights, but the big car sprints off the line in a fairly brisk fashion too, taking 7.4 seconds to reach 100km/h in our Gauteng altitude test. Combining a turbodiesel engine with an automatic gearbox can result in some lag, however, and there’s sometimes a hesitation in this Merc’s power delivery when you’re looking for that instant acceleration to nip through city traffic.
This turbodiesel version delivers on the economy promise, with our test car averaging 8.9 litres per 100km - a decent figure for such a large car. The silky power delivery comes with a matchingly serene ride. Ride quality is something you almost take for granted in a large luxury car but this Benz really does waft over road imperfections in a classy way. No doubt playing a role in this was the test car’s air suspension, an R20 000 optional feature which has comfort and sport modes to suit driving conditions. In the sport setting, which firms the suspension to limit body roll, this large barge could be ushered through fast corners at a fairly hurried pace too.
TYPICALLY OPULENT MERCEDES STYLE
Beneath that swish styling the Mercedes CLS is a pretty roomy family car with adult-sized rear leg and headroom. There’s a decently spacious boot too, and with the seats flipped you can fit a mountain bike in there.
The cabin’s finished in typically opulent Mercedes style. Lavish leather covers not just the seats but the dashboard and door panels as well, while all the shiny bits - including the air vents - are made of real metal instead of plated plastic.
This Merc’s seats deserve a special mention for their couch-like comfort, and the front ones have active bolsters that squeeze you tighter during cornering to provide extra side support. The front seats also offer heating, cooling, and four massage programmes – this Merc really pampers you like a Thai massage parlour.
The revamped CLS has also introduced some very high-tech headlamps. All versions come standard with LED lights, but certain models (including this 350 BlueTec) are optionally available with new multi-beam lights that provide maximum illumination without blinding other road users.
Each headlamp has 24 individually controlled LEDs so that various areas of the road surface can be masked out, allowing the light to “curve” around a vehicle ahead.
The cornering lights also anticipate bends before the driver starts to turn, and swivel back to the straight-ahead position before the corner ends, allowing the driver to see further.
The cornering lights also turn outwards to illuminate both sides on entry to a traffic circle, using the satellite navigation to anticipate the circle.
A choice of infotainment systems is available in conjunction with a new free-standing 20.3cm screen atop the dash, which allows web surfing while the vehicle’s stationary.
VERDICT
The CLS delivers the characteristic plush ride and opulence of larger-sized Mercedes’ with a generous helping of style.
If money’s no object the model of choice is the flagship CLS 63 AMG S version - all 430kW and 800Nm of it - but if your budget doesn’t stretch to its R1.6-million pricetag this diesel-engined CLS 350 BlueTec delivers a fine mix of muscle and fuel economy at little more than half the price.
And get it with the classy matte grey paint job you see in the picture, if you can afford the extra R44 500. - Star Motoring
FACTS
Mercedes-Benz CLS 350 BlueTec
Engine: 2987cc, V6 turbodiesel
Gearbox: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 190kW @ 3600rpm
Torque: 620Nm @ 1600-2400rpm
0-100km/h (claimed): 6.5 seconds
Top speed (claimed): 250km/h
Consumption (claimed): 5.4 litres per 100km
Price: R895 297
Maintenance plan: Six-year/100 000km
ALTERNATIVES
Audi A7 Sportback 3.0TDI quattro (180kW/500Nm) – R885 000
Audi A7 Sportback 3.0TDI BiT quattro (230kW/650Nm) – R972 000
BMW 640d Gran Coupé (230kW/630Nm) – R1 167 668
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