Not a sign of these recessionary times, you might well say, as this Mercedes-Benz CLS 350 CDI starts at €71,700 and so is outside the price range of most of us. But everyone can appreciate good looks.
Certainly, the group of young schoolboys making their way home from school thought so. I was stopped at lights in the town and mentally browsing shop windows when I was startled by an urgent tapping on the passenger window. Three grinning lads were giving the car the thumbs up!
And well they might. This new generation four-door coupe has been designed to seduce with its stunning good looks. Low and sleek and with that lightweight body honed to perfection. With a trendier and stronger look than its predecessor, and that great big three-pointed star very much to the fore.
The CLS 350 CDI comes with BlueEfficiency technology which gives improved fuel consumption and lowers emissions by up to 30 per cent. It means this latest CLS moves to tax band B. Fuel consumption has been cut to 6.0 litres for the combined return. This is the official figure, and is far better than the 7.6 L/100 I recorded.
This in-line turbo charged diesel engine puts out 261hp and a whopping 620Nm of torque. The 7G-Tronic Plus automatic transmission gives enhanced driving dynamics and ride comfort, and comes as standard.
The CLS 350 proved a gorgeous drive, nonetheless, and so refined out on the road.
This is not a complicated car to drive as every control and switch is intuitively placed and well labelled.
The car's Electromechanical Direct-Steer system allows even more agility and steering comfort for your enjoyment behind the wheel. You can also opt to use the F1 type gearshift paddles when conditions require. The programme selector button allows you select what driving programme you want at any time, from Economy, Sport or Manual.
The CLS's interior is top drawer with luxurious materials throughout. A four-seater with the large rear 'armrest' as a divide, all onboard travel in five-star comfort with oodles of room front and back. A 6-ft friend had plenty of head and leg room in the rear but had to mind his head when getting in and out.
Winter white leather seats, which in my car contrasted beautifully with dark steel coloured exterior, provided for a really comfy 'fit'. Front ones are electrically adjustable.
Dials are stylish with three indented silver rimmed ones - the larger speedometer in the centre. However, I found myself mostly reading the gold coloured digital speed read-out display at the lower end of the speedometer rather than the paler traditional one.
The CLS also boasts a large boot with 505 litres of capacity. It doesn't have a very wide opening so there might be some difficulty in loading very high items. But it does go in a very, very long way, and can take four golf bags. Himself at home actually gave it 10 out of 10 as the boot lid popped up automatically via the remote control when he wanted to load his golf stuff in rain. There's also a temporary spare wheel.
Here I must mention the fantastic indicator and brake lights at the rear which are works of art in themselves.
Optional extras brought my test car's price to €89,000. These included full leather, 19-multi-spoke alloy wheels, a media interface, Harman Kandon sound system and metallic paint. But you can get into the CLS 250 CDI from €65,750.
Those appreciative kids sure have a lot of growing up to do before they can afford to buy a car like this. But there are many successful people out there who can! And will.
