New CLS Coupe and Shooting Brake arrive

Revised versions of the four-door Mercedes-Benz CLS Coupe and its five-door estate car sibling, the CLS Shooting Brake, have been launched in Ireland, writes Trish Whelan.

In the line-up is a new entry-version CLS 200 BlueTEC diesel, an engine not previously available in the CLS-Class. Priced at €62,505 ex works, it gives owners entry to the CLS world for a price some 10.5 percent lower than before. In the Shooting Brake version, the entry version has been reduced to €65,000.

Positioned within the upper reaches of the premium car market, the CLS has been to the fore in establishing the four-door coupe segment. First introduced ten years ago, it was followed in 2012 by its Shooting Brake estate stablemate.

Engines are more C02 friendly and fuel efficient. They include two diesels and two petrol engines. The most popular is likely to be the four-cylinder 220 BlueTEC (170bhp/400Nm) which carries a 122 C02 rating, 4.7 L/100km fuel consumption and Band A road tax of €270 per annum. The second diesel is a 350 BlueTEC V6 version (258bhp/620 Nm).

In petrol, the choice is a V6 3.5 biturbo CLS 400 (333bhp/480Nm) and a 500 (408bhp/600Nm). Two AMG sporty versions are available.

The new CLS retains its long bonnet, slim window line with frameless side windows and the rearward sloping roof that gives it its coupe-like appeal.

It has been comprehensively updated with features that include a more sporty frontal design with a pronounced bumper, large air intakes and new studded radiator grille faced with an imposing star motif.

The interior features include a new, free-standing head unit, restyled centre console and redesigned three-spoke sports steering wheel. There are numerous technical innovations onboard. Owners can choose from five interior colours, six types of trim and different qualities of leather.

Mercedes-Benz places emphasis on the CLS's lighting system - a package that includes an optional 'intelligent' Multibeam system that can adjust quickly and automatically to light up the road and carriageway edges without dazzling other drivers. A 'welcome home' function casts a blue light when the car is unlocked.

Mercedes-Benz passenger car sales manager in Ireland, Ciaran Allen, is confident that the CLS-Class Coupe and Shooting Brake will contribute significantly to future sales next year and in the years ahead.