2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS: First Look
Its sales may not have shown it, but the original CLS — unveiled in 2003 — revolutionized modern automotive design. Called a four-door coupe, the CLS promised sporty dynamics of a coupe with a dash of sedan practicality. The only problem was it didn’t do a terrific job at either. It looked great, though.
The redesign for 2012 looks to move the stunning dial up a notch, incorporating a lot of elements from the SLS AMG supercar including a deep, brutish grille and long hood. The profile, too, evokes a sports car rather than a sedan, with the rear being the lone area that suffers from the four-door-coupe clichés the original CLS started — namely, a stubby, teardrop look.
LED headlight clusters — packing 71 LEDs — and taillights are stunning too, and they’re almost a prerequisite these days in the luxury space. The interior is completely redesigned, and it, too, looks more sports-car oriented than the digs of the new E-Class. There’s a choice of wood trims — burl walnut or black ash — black piano lacquer or the carbon fiber trim you see in these photos.
We’ll learn more about the powertrains when the car debuts at the Paris auto show in October. For now, check out more photos below. Our photos can now be enlarged; simply click on one of the images below for the larger version.
