What is it?
The CLS 350 CDI is driven here with its recently upgraded 3.0-litre V6 common rail diesel packing 265bhp – an increase of 41bhp on the model it replaces.
Mercedes hopes the CLS range will be sold with five engines. Available from the outset of CLS sales in March 2011 will be this and the naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6 direct injection petrol unit with 306bhp.
All come mated to a standard seven-speed automatic gearbox. Operated by Mercedes-Benz’s fiddly column shift mechanism rather than a traditional centre column lever, the so-called 7-GTronic Plus unit boasts a number of upgrades over that used in the old CLS, including a revised torque converter and an integral stop/start function, both of which help to make the new model significantly more fuel efficient.
The more athletic exterior of the new CLS has not had an impact on the weight of the CLS 350 CDI; it tips the scales at the same 1740kg as before.
What’s it like?
Climb aboard and you’re met by an interior big on style, clarity and quality. They may share materials and controls with the latest E-class, but the dashboard and trims boast a unique eye catching design, something which helps imbue the new four-door with its own individual character before you’ve even turned the key.
Close the door and this impression is further enhanced; a comparatively high belt line, shallow side glass and a driving position a full 18mm lower than the E-class contribute to give the CLS with a traditional coupe like feel despite the inclusion of rear doors.
These now provide improved access to the rear thanks to their added length and a larger door aperture. Accommodation wise, it’s not quite at E-class levels, but Mercedes-Benz claims increases in head, shoulder and legroom all round. Boot capacity is also up by 15-litres at 520-litres.
The upgraded 3.0-litre V6 common rail diesel provides the best balance between performance, economy and refinement within the new engine range.
With a gutsy 479lb ft of torque on offer between 1600 and 2400rpm – some 52lb ft more than the old CLS 350 CDI no less – the advanced oilburner is extraordinarily flexible and delivers considerable mid-range punch while displaying enthusiastic properties at the upper end of the rev range and exceptional levels of refinement.
The sharpened action of the gearbox also provides a smoother delivery and added acceleration.
Mercedes-Benz claims 0-62mph in 6.2sec – an improvement of 0.8sec over the earlier CLS 350 CDI. It’s through the gears, though, that the gains are more noticeable.
Equally as impressive is the improvement in fuel economy and emissions: at 47.1 mpg and 159g/km, they improve by 11.3mpg and 26g/km.
The new CLS is engaging to drive with its overall dynamics now on an altogether higher plane.
Fitted with a new electro-mechanical steering system set to be become a feature across the Mercedes-Benz line-up in future years, it points beautifully.
At the same time, the reworked chassis displays a more fluid action with an added eagerness to change direction, while excellent damping ensure body movements remain terrifically controlled even during all out cornering.
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Re: Mercedes-Benz CLS350 CDI
Thanks for this info. Re the delay on step-off I do generally have the C mode so I'll try S but I recall that Autocar testers had the same problem, Re controls I've had an E class before and I never had the same problem. What seems t have happened is that MB have made the cruise control stalk much larger and thus more prominent. Unfortunately like many people, I have access to more than one car and the layout of the MB controls is the most extreme. Re Paddle, it may be that the AMG paddle is larger and I'm going to look at that. Agree; its a great car but I would like to sort these issues out.
Re: Mercedes-Benz CLS350 CDI
Hookey,
Having owned and driven all sorts of Mercedes over the years, maybe I can answer some questions.
1. There really should not be a noticable time delay on step-off from a standing start. In fact, MB are one of the few manufacturers that usually get this right (especially when the car is fitted with the 7G-Tronic). Either there is a glitch in the transmission/engine interphase software on your particular car (take the car back to the dealer so they can get a diagnosis) or maybe you usually leave the gearbox in 'C' mode, which I am led to believe, means the car starts off in 2nd gear.
2. Position of cruise control and indicator stalks have always been the same on all MB cars for a long time. It sounds to me that you are new to MB and at first you will probably hit the cruise stalk when trying to indicate. However, after no time at all, it should become 2nd nature to you.
3. Your paddle control problem is again a personal thing. Because the paddles are quite small (they are not Ferrari sized paddles), MB fit them on the back of the steering wheel spokes, which are always at quater-to-three position, like most manufacturers. Again, something you should get used to, especially if this is the first car you have owned with paddles.
I hope this helps. It's a beautiful car and I hope you are enjoying the novel features such as AirCap and AirScarf etc.
Re: Mercedes-Benz CLS350 CDI
We have recently taken possession of an E350cdi Cabriolet which we thoroughly enjoy However there are a couple of faults and I wonder whether these have been corrected in the CLS350cdi. Firstly have they corrected the time delay in pushing the throttle and take up from a standing start? This is very frustrating and potentially dangerous. Secondly, I think that the cruise control lever and the indicator stalk are the wrong way round as the cruise control lever is at the top and falls to hand more conveniently than the indicators stalk. Am I the only one who has this problem? Thirdly, the paddle controls really suite a driver who holds the wheel at "quarter to three" rather than "ten to two". Has this been changed?