Mercedes-Benz CLS and AMG CLS 53 facelifts debut, launch scheduled for late 2021-2022

The Mercedes CLS has been facelifted for 2021, with a new look outside and updated interior trims showing up for the brand’s Audi A7 Sportback rival. It’ll be accessible to order in the UK this summer, with prices expected to begin from around £60,000. German automaker Mercedes-Benz has revealed its new-generation CLS 450 4MATIC sedan. It will go on sale in the US early next year. The 2022 Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 has gotten its midlife facelift, with the first Australian deliveries scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2021 (October to December inclusive).

The German producer has taken the covers off its updated CLS four-door car, which brings updated performance, luxury features, style, and a feisty range-topper. Benz has supported the visual appeal of the CLS, adding sporty touches to all grades including modified bumpers and expanded aerodynamic features like spoilers and splitters.

Mercedes-Benz has divulged its updated CLS 450 4MATIC car that is required to go on sale from early next year. The updated version of the coupe-inspired luxury sedan from the German luxury car producer has gotten an amended new look and changed technologies.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz CLS will get an AMG Line styling package for the exterior as standard. With this package, the sedan gets distinctive-looking side sills and glossy black trim. Aside from that, different updates at the exterior incorporate a reexamined front bumper with a more fluid appearance for the deltas in the lower fascia, alongside a chrome decorated front splitter. The changed front grille enhances a three-dimensional Mercedes-Benz star styling with a chrome-glass surface.

The updated model will be accessible in an exterior color option of Starling Blue Metallic. The vehicle flaunts LED headlights situated at the external corner, rather than being amber on the current model. Moving to the back, the car gets an ample amount of chrome, trapezoidal exhaust closes, and a simulated diffuser too.

Reflecting its standard Mercedes-Benz sibling, updates to the CLS 53 – the sole Mercedes-AMG variation accessible with the third-generation CLS – centre around a modified exterior, with a reworked front-end containing a reshaped lower bumper and AMG’s signature Panamericana vertical slatted grille.

The window surrounds and mirror caps can be optioned in gloss black with the optional AMG Night Package, while a new Nappa leather-wrapped steering wheel features inside the cabin, with a couple of rotary selectors for changing key vehicle dynamics functions.

Two new optional packages are presently accessible: AMG Night Package II and AMG Dynamic Plus Package.

Mercedes has kept exterior design changes restricted to a new front bumper with bigger intakes and a chrome splitter, in addition to a recently discovered piece of chrome trim strip for the rear valance, over a black rear diffuser. There are additionally two new 19-inch alloy wheel designs to browse – a five-spoke wheel and a ten-spoke.

AMG Line models get a sportier makeover, which incorporates a bigger front splitter, deeper side skirts, a spoiler for the boot cover, and a new radiator grille. The standard alloy wheels are additionally traded for a set of AMG-branded 20-inch units, accessible in two colors.

Purchasers can select the AMG Line exterior pack, which adds more street appeal with giant 20-inch high-gloss alloy wheels.

The interior has gotten a makeover, with premium materials utilized all through, including wood completes and top-quality leather.

Inside, the greatest change is the adoption of a new Nappa leather-trimmed multifunction steering wheel, furnished with a similar capacitive technology found on the recently modified E-Class saloon and the all-new C-Class.

The updated sensor technology implies that the driver presently doesn’t necessities to place steering input through the wheel to tell the vehicle’s semi-autonomous systems they’re in control – basically having hands holding the wheel is sufficient.

Close by the updated steering wheel, the CLS is currently accessible with an updated range of interior trims. The combination of material and leather upholstery presently remembers a centre console in open-pore brown walnut or high-gloss grey wood. Leather upholstery options have been extended to incorporate a new two-tone grey option and a black and brown combination.

The previous adds a black grille and badging, while the latter adds red brake calipers with AMG lettering, an AMG Performance steering wheel enveloped by Nappa leather or Nappa leather/microfibre, and a Race driving mode including an extra Drift profile shared with the facelifted E53 range.

The AMG-badged CLS profits by a similar array of technologies presented on the regular model in recent months, including a new dual 12.3-inch MBUX infotainment setup, and active driver assistance features incorporating autonomous crisis slowing down with support for intersections, and semi-autonomous traffic-jam help.

European purchasers at launch can pick a special Limited Edition variant, restricted to only 300 units on the Continent, which adds red-accented, race-inspired side stripes, completed in metallic dark grey on Cashmere White Magno vehicles, or black on Selenite Gray Magno examples.

All models get the most recent version of Merc’s infotainment technology with artificial intelligence and a voice assistant like Apple’s Siri. Mercedes joins two 10.25-inch displays lengthways for the infotainment and driving data.

Mercedes says looks are the CLS’s greatest selling point and have added more customization alternatives for interior and exterior color combinations.

Sitting on the upgraded CLS range is the AMG 53. It is fueled by a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder petrol engine joined with a mild hybrid set-up to add short bursts of overboost and to power onboard electric functions.

These join for 320kW and 520Nm shipped off every one of the four wheels, permitting the car to sprint from 0-100km/h in 4.5 seconds while in transit to an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h.

As standard, the CLS accompanies two 10.25-inch screens; one for the instrument cluster and a midway situated touchscreen broadcasting the vehicle’s infotainment functions. These can be moved up to a dual 12.3-inch dual-screen system.

Special trim options from Merc’s Designo catalog have expanded in number, giving purchasers access to five new two-tone Nappa leather upholstery completes and new exterior paint finishes, including cashmere White Magno, Emerald Green, and Jupiter Red.

Lower spec models are powered by a range of petrol and diesel engines ranging from small turbo four cylinders to greater capacity six-cylinder units in a variety of tunes.

Mercedes-Benz hasn’t uncovered which variations will advance Down Under yet the current range does exclude any diesel versions and just comprises of three well-equipped petrol versions: the range-topping AMG 53, CLS 450, and CLS 350.

At the top finish of the CLS range, there’s the updated AMG 53, which includes an updated front bumper close by an AMG signature grille with vertical slats. Purchasers can opt for the AMG Night Package and the AMG Exterior Carbon II package as well – the previous presenting gloss black detailing, the latter adding carbon-fiber elements to the car’s exterior.

The AMG Night Package, AMG Night Package II, and AMG Dynamic Plus packages are all standard on the Limited Edition, as is insulated privacy glass, puddle light projection, 20-inch black wheels, two-tone black/silver Nappa leather upholstery, carbon-fiber trim, a Nappa leather/microfibre-trimmed steering wheel, and red contrast stitching.

Powering the updated CLS 53 4Matic+ is a similar 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six petrol engine as in the past, sending 320kW and 520Nm to each of the four wheels through a nine-speed torque-converter automatic transmission.

It’s helped by an electric compressor that spools up the turbocharger at low RPMs when conventional exhaust gases are inadequate, alongside a 48-volt mild-hybrid system equipped for both stopping the engine when coasting to a stop to improve efficiency or adding an extra 16kW/250Nm for short periods under hard acceleration.

The vehicle runs on 19-inch wheels that will be accessible in two different styling options – five-twin-spoke and multi-spoke designs. Likewise, there will be a 20-inch wheel option for the luxury sedan, painted in Tremolite Gray or High-Gloss Black color options. In general, the vehicle seems particular despite carrying a comparable silhouette.

The progressions are not restricted to the exterior only. Inside the cabin, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz CLS car gets an updated steering wheel with capacitive sensors for controlling different features. There will be options of Open Pore Brown Walnut and High-Gloss Gray Wood trims. The upholstery choices incorporate dual-tone Neva Gray and Magma Gray, Sienna Brown, and Black colors.

Talking about the powertrain, the updated CLS 450 will get a 3.0-liter inline-six turbocharged engine with an integrated starter-generator mild hybrid system. The engine is mated to a nine-speed automatic gearbox and produces 362 hp power and 500 Nm torque. The starter-generator can contribute up to 21 hp of power and 250 Nm of torque, claims the automaker. It gets an all-wheel-drive system.

Purchasers likewise get performance-focused upgrades, like standard adaptive air suspension, bucket seats, and bigger brakes.

The sporty flagship can be indicated with two further option packs. The AMG Night Package II trades the car’s standard radiator grille for a dark chrome piece and replaces its chrome badging with darkened options. The AMG Dynamic Plus package adds red-painted brake calipers and a Nappa leather/microfiber-trimmed AMG steering wheel.

Anticipate that prices should be marginally higher at about $155,000 drive-away for the CLS 350 and more than $200,000 for the AMG fettled model.

All models accompany an amazing array of driver helps including auto crisis braking and semi-autonomous features that will help keep the vehicle in its lane and accelerate and brake all alone.

The vehicle will likewise auto park and exit parking spaces with the assistance of an array of sensors and a 360-degree camera.

Matched to the nine-speed automatic is a fully variable AMG Performance 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system, while multi-mode AMG Ride Control+ adaptive dampers suspend the car’s 20-inch wheels.

Mercedes-AMG claims a 0-100km/h sprint time of 4.5 seconds. Maximum velocity is electronically restricted to 250km/h in standard guise, with the AMG Driver’s Package expanding it to 270km/h.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 4Matic+ will show up in Australian showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2021. Local pricing and specifications will be reported nearer to launch.