Mercedes CLS shines with looks, practicality
Mercedes-Benz CLS 250 CDI
By Kim Tae-jong
Mercedes-Benz has launched interesting car models here to change its old-fashioned image as a carmaker that produces only luxury and conservative sedans.
One of the most attractive among the new models is the CLS Class, which has a beautiful design and powerful driving performance.
According to the automaker, the CLS Class is credited with inventing the luxury four-door coupe body style, which combines elegance with sportiness.
The company allowed The Korea Times to test-drive the entry-level CLS 250 CDI, which was launched here in December.
The car is amazing. Mercedes-Benz created the CLS Class based on its popular E-class sedan, giving it a sleek overall profile.
The CLS has slightly less headroom and a slightly smaller boot with a shallower opening than the E Class. It also has one less seat in the rear with an ornate wooden roll-top lid.
It may not be an ideal family sedan, but it is still significantly more practical than any two-door coupe, thanks to the additional rear doors.
The CLS comes with a 2.1-liter four-cylinder turbo diesel engine, which can generate 204 horsepower with a maximum torque of 51.0 kilogram-meters.
It takes only 7.5 seconds to reach a speed of 100 kilometers per hour. Despite its impressive power and speed, it manages to have good fuel efficiency at 15.6 kilometers per liter.
Out on the road, the car is as quiet and comfortable as you’d expect from a high-end sedan from the German brand, and its steering, braking and handling do not disappoint. The suspension is a bit hard, though.
Its sleek design also improves aerodynamics at high speed. The beautiful machine always runs even at corners.
Drivers can hear and feel the diesel grumble under acceleration, but that is not a problem given the car’s torque surge and efficiency.
The CLS 250 CDI is priced at 90.2 million won with the CLS 350, CLS 63 AMG 4MATIC and CLS 63 AMG S 4MATIC at 103 million won, 156 and 171 million won.