Dr. Claus Weidner, Chief Operating Officer of Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Limited says “With its exciting design and refined sportiness, the new edition of the CLS also benefits from the fact that we are a whole generation ahead of the competition with our four-door Coupé.”

The new CLS 350 BlueEFFICIENCY has been approved by the Hong Kong Government as the Environment-friendly Petrol Private Car (EFC) which is the first Mercedes-Benz model being granted this certification. Customers can enjoy up to HK$50,000 tax incentive for this.

The new CLS continues with the pioneering role of its predecessor. What immediately strikes the eye is the innovative front design. Visually, the radiator grille is not integrated into the bonnet but is formed separately. This highlights the long, sporty bonnet even further. The grille is dominated by the large central star.

The typical CLS outline, with its elegantly long proportions, is the dominating attribute of the new model. The effect of the dynamic, athletic form has been enhanced with a new interplay of lines and areas. The front edge of the structure above the wings slopes off towards the rear. A distinctive and muscular sports car-like shoulder line above the rear axle highlights the athletic character of the new CLS.

The interior of the CLS is also distinguished by a timeless design. An eye-catching feature is the wrap-around effect of the cockpit: a high line sweeps from the driver's door over the instrument panel support and across to the front passenger door.

The CLS lives up to its role as a design icon through the innovative material finishes used. An example of this is the exciting interplay of satin-finish and shiny metallic surfaces. The CLS also exudes refined sportiness with its lavish and high-class trim elements which can be found on the instrument panel support, the centre console and parts of the door trim.

The CLS is the first passenger car in the world to offer LED High Performance headlamps, which combine the exciting colour elements of LED technology - similar to those of daytime running lamps - with the performance, functionality and energy efficiency of today's bi-xenon generation. This new light system provides, for the first time ever, the Intelligent Light System already proven in Mercedes models fitted with bi-xenon headlamps in combination with LED technology. The headlamps, with their 71 LED lamps in total, look exciting; and they serve to underline the unmistakable appearance of the CLS. The light specialists from Mercedes-Benz have for the first time been able to use LED technology in the admired and innovative Adaptive Highbeam Assist, resulting in an entirely new level of safety for night-time driving.

Efficiency at the highest level: that is what characterises the engines deployed in the Mercedes-Benz CLS. The output and torque of each engine is greater than in its predecessor; at the same time, fuel consumption has been drastically reduced, by up to 25 percent. The 6-cylinder model CLS 350 BlueEFFICIENCY has an output of 306 hp and the CLS 500, with a V8 engine, at 408 hp. Both models have the ECO start/stop function as standard.

Intelligent lightweight construction plays a decisive role in bridging the classic conflict of objectives between low weight and high strength in the new CLS. The CLS is thus the first vehicle from Mercedes-Benz to have frameless, all-aluminium doors. Apart from the doors, the bonnet, front wings, boot lid, parcel shelf, various support profiles and substantial parts of the suspension and engines are all made of aluminium.

Aerodynamics plays an important part in the outstanding efficiency of the Mercedes-Benz CLS. Although the new model is wider than its predecessor and thus presents more frontal area to the wind, it was possible to reduce wind resistance by up to ten percent. This is thanks to the Cd value of 0.26, which has been improved by 13 percent.

Marrying the ultimate in driving dynamics to the very best in long-distance ride comfort, the suspension system was completely re-tuned and enhanced with a key new component: the electromechanical power steering system makes its world debut in the new CLS. This pioneering innovation makes a new and radical contribution to the relationship between driver, car and road: engineers have, for the first time, been given the freedom to select and to program many of the parameters which influence the steering feel.

In addition, the steering system makes an important contribution to the CLS' overall efficiency: as the steering support system only uses energy when the vehicle is actually being steered, fuel consumption is cut by up to 0.3 litres/7 g of CO2 compared to the previous model.

The driving assistance systems on the new CLS help to prevent traffic accidents and reduce the severity of an accident, for example the ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection, Nigh View Assist PLUS, PRE-SAFE® anticipatory occupant protection and the sophisticated Intelligent Light System. When finding and reversing into a parking space, drivers can now be aided by the active parking assist feature. Using the side-mounted ultrasonic sensors, this system identifies suitable parking spaces on both sides of the road in passing, then informs the driver by means of a display. If he or she engages reverse gear, acknowledges the display message, active parking assist takes over the steering and automatically manoeuvres the car into the parking space. The driver only needs to control the gear change and car speed with the throttle and brake pedal; the utrasonic sensors of the PARKTRONIC system assist in this by keeping them informed about the distance to the vehicle in front of and behind the car.

The new CLS-Class is available in both Hong Kong and Macau now.

Model                                         Hong Kong Price

CLS 350 BlueEFFICIENCY   HK$899,000 
                                          (after EFC tax incentive of HK$50,000)
                                          (Hong Kong only)
CLS 500 BlueEFFICIENCY   HK$1,153,500
CLS 63 AMG                       HK$1,730,000