Road Test
Mercedes-Benz CLS 500
Test date Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Price as tested £54,685
For Styling, smooth V8, cabin ambience, build quality
AgainstRear headroom, ride on 19inch wheels, poor brake feel
The CLS is the union of two strands of famous Mercedes models: saloons and large two-door coupés. Although post-war saloons started with the 170 in 1947, Merc’s first three-box design was the 180 of 1953. But it wasn’t until 1959 and the ‘Heckflosse’ (tail fin) that Mercedes saloons got the sleek look recognisable today. 1959 was also the start of Mercedes’ tradition of using one car to generate several models – the medium and large saloons were also available as coupés and roadsters.
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