Mercedes-Benz have announced the introduction of a special edition of the CLS to be called the CLS Grand Edition. The model will be in Mercedes-Benz showrooms in Australia from May this year.

The CLS Grand Edition receives subtle design tweaks over the existing CLS - notably with new paint - a unique "designo magno platinum" matt paint finish which Mercedes-Benz claim brings the lines and contours of the premium coupé fully to the fore.

As well as being an eye-catching feature, the matt paint finish is highly scratch- and dirt-resistant. In keeping with the avant-garde paintwork, the radiator grille louvres are also painted in "designo magno platinum".

The Grand Edition customers can select from a choice of metallic paint finishes: obsidian black, iridium silver, carneol red or flint grey.

The additional exterior equipment for the CLS Grand Edition includes:

The no-nonsense elegance continues inside the car. Here a perfectly matched
"designo" interior and a roof lining in anthracite Alcantara, together with the standard-fit tilting/sliding glass roof, define the sporty, elegant style.

Special touches are provided by the "designo" leather upholstery in "marron" – with the option of substituting this shade for sand, black, mystic red, porcelain or chablis.

The trim elements in high-quality laurel wood can be ordered with either a matt or a high-gloss finish. The same material is used for the selector lever and the wood/leather steering wheel.

Sport pedals in brushed stainless steel with rubber studs underline the sporting credentials of the CLS Grand Edition.

The extensive range of equipment includes the sophisticated COMAND APS Multimedia control and display system, comfort telephony, PARKTRONIC and “Grand Edition” velour floor mats.

Australian customers will be able to choose from two powerful and efficient petrol-powered versions: the CLS 350 and the CLS 500 Grand Edition.

The CLS 350 Grand Edition will offer a refined and strong 215kW and 365Nm of power and torque from its 3.5-litre engine, returning a fuel consumption rate of 11.0-litres per 100km (according to ADR 81/01). Transmitting this torque to the rear wheels is Mercedes-Benz’s own 7G-TRONIC 7-speed automatic transmission, helping achieve a swift 0-100km/h time of 6.7 seconds.

Customers seeking additional excitement will be able to opt for the CLS 500 Grand Edition, whose effortless performance comes from its 285kW/530Nm 5.5-litre V8 engine. Not only does this model get to 100km/h from a standstill in only 5.4 seconds, it also burns only 11.6-litres of premium fuel every 100km (according to ADR 81/01), aided in part by the smooth-shifting 7G-TRONIC gearbox.

Pricing for the Mercedes-Benz CLS Grand Edition will be announced prior to its Australian release.