Mercedes-Benz will use the 2005 Melbourne motor show to unveil a new and totally distinctive model series – the new CLS-Class four-door Coupé.

The car is based on a unique vehicle concept which for the first time combines the elegance and dynamism of a coupé with the comfort and practicality of a saloon. Spaciousness, luggage capacity and day-to-day practicality are at the level of a saloon, while the design lines possess the emotionally charged character of a coupé. With this currently unique combination, the new CLS-Class is one coupé generation ahead.

The technical specification also points the way to the future: in addition to adaptive front airbags, sidebags and windowbags, the preventive occupant protection system PRE-SAFE is to become available for the new Mercedes Coupé in the near future. The engine range includes two powerful petrol units: in the CLS 500 a muscular eight cylinder unit with 225 kW and in the CLS 55 AMG a powerful and refined AMG V8 supercharged engine, which generates an output of 350 kW. The engine in the CLS 500 is partnered by the new seven-speed automatic transmission, 7G-TRONIC, whilst in the CLS 55 AMG the power is transferred to the wheels via the AMG SPEEDSHIFT five-speed automatic transmission.. Features such as AIRMATIC DC air suspension and THERMOTRONIC four-zone climate control provide supreme levels of comfort.

The precursor to the new CLS-Class was a coupé study which Mercedes-Benz presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show in autumn 2003. The enthusiastic public response to this four-door coupé encouraged the management in Stuttgart to give the green light for series production.

As a unique synthesis of a coupé and a saloon, the new CLS-Class offers a great deal more added value than other coupés. In this way Mercedes-Benz is once again emphasising its role as a trendsetter for new ideas in the automotive world. The sophisticated aesthetics of this coupé design, the exclusive appointments and the trailblazing technology are particularly aimed at people who have a passion for motor cars and motoring.

Comfort and spaciousness to saloon standards

The four-door coupé concept even allows passengers in the rear convenient access and egress. They have the benefit of two comfortable single seats and enjoy generous freedom of movement. There is a distance of 829 mm between the front and rear seats, which together with the shoulder and elbow-level width (1422 and 1464 millimetres respectively in the rear) puts the CLS-Class firmly in saloon territory. Newly developed seats with electric adjustment as standard are available for the driver and front passenger; on request these can be equipped with active ventilation or as a dynamic multicontour seat. Furthermore, the boot of the new CLS-Class holds up to 505 litres (VDA measuring method) – much more than any other coupé and even many a saloon.

Choice of powerful eight-cylinder engines

With the 5.0-litre V8 engine the new CLS 500 need fear no performance comparison with thoroughbred sports cars, while offering the eight-cylinder comfort typical of a luxury-class saloon. This power unit has an output of 225 kW and an impressive 460 Newton metres of torque. Once again the standard seven-speed automatic transmission plays its part here. The CLS-Class V8 Coupé accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds. The fuel consumption is 11.3 litres per 100 kilometres (NEDC combined consumption).

Standard appointments include the control and display system COMAND APS with Australia-wide DVD navigation, television tuner, CD-changer, PARKTRONIC, leather interior, electric glass sunroof, steering wheel gear shift buttons, THERMOTRONIC luxury climate control, AIRMATIC DC air suspension, 18-inch light-alloy wheels with 245/40 R 18 wide-base tyres, and speed sensitive power steering.

Imposing performance figures and exclusive specification are key highlights of the CLS 55 AMG. The car is driven by the powerful and refined AMG V8 supercharged engine, which generates an output of 350 kW and 700 Newton metres of torque from a displacement of 5.5 litres. This gives the car truly top-notch performance: the CLS 55 AMG accelerates from nought to 100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds and has an electronically limited maximum speed of 250 km/h. The CLS 55 AMG boasts AMG sports suspension, a high-performance AMG braking system plus AMG bodystyling. As with the other AMG high-performance cars, the engine power is transferred to the wheels via the AMG SPEEDSHIFT five-speed automatic transmission. This allows the driver to choose between fully automatic or manual gear changes, the latter being possible by using either the selector lever or the gearshift buttons on the ergonomic AMG sports steering wheel. The powerplant is superbly complemented by the AMG sports suspension and by the AMG high-performance braking system. The CLS 55 AMG features AIRMATIC DC semi-active air suspension with an adaptive damping system; this suspension set-up has been specially modified for AMG by giving it tauter tuning. Large, internally ventilated and perforated brake discs make for impressive deceleration and high fading resistance.

The car’s dynamic ride characteristics are due in part to the wheel/tyre combination fitted – 8.5 and 9.5-inch wide 18-inch AMG twin-spoke light-alloy wheels shod with 255/40 and 285/35 wide-base tyres.

Occupant protection with adaptive airbags and PRE-SAFE

The new CLS-Class is equipped with the latest safety systems such as adaptive front airbags, windowbags and sidebags, as well as belt tensioners and belt force limiters on all seats, offering an extremely high level of occupant protection. In future the prize-winning Mercedes safety system PRE-SAFE will be available. In critical driving situations this system activates precautionary measures for the vehicle occupants. These measures include split-second tensioning of the seat belts, which brings the driver and front passenger into a more favourable seating position even before a potential collision. This enables the airbags to protect the occupants more effectively if an impact occurs.

Leading-edge Mercedes technology for handling safety and superb comfort

In the field of handling safety Mercedes-Benz emphasises its technological leadership among car brands in the new CLS-Class with Sensotronic Brake Control SBC™, the latest-generation Electronic Stability Programme (ESP®) and powerful bi-xenon headlamps with Headlamp Assist, which Mercedes-Benz now combines with cornering lights as standard.

DISTRONIC proximity cruise control, LINGUATRONIC voice control and the access and drive authorisation system KEYLESS-GO are optional Mercedes innovations which guarantee even greater comfort and even more driving pleasure.

The first customer deliveries of the new Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class will arrive in June 2005. Final Australian pricing and specifications will be confirmed closer to the sales release of the new Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class.