Motoring: Mercedes CLS 350 BlueEfficiency

It’s the original four-door coupé – and now, the CLS is back for its difficult second instalment.

Since 2004, a total of 170,00 customers have been seduced by the big Mercedes’ blend of luxury and striking good looks.

It’s inspired the likes of the Porsche Panamera and Audi A7. So can the all-new CLS pick up where its predecessor left off?
 
Forming an integral part of the nose are the LED headlights– the first in the world to offer all functions using LED technology.

A total of 71 bulbs make up the indicator, sidelight and main beam functions, while daytime running lamps are integrated into the lower bumper.

The rest of the body trades the delicate flowing lines of the outgoing car for a more muscular stance.

Flared wheelarches and wide hips give an imposing presence, while the strong crease around the rear wheelarch is taken from the E-Class Coupé.

The new cabin mixes a simple but elegant centre console with top-quality materials, and makes the CLS a supremely comfortable place in which to spend time.

It can be tailored to the driver, with a choice of five interior colours, three qualities of leather, three types of wood and piano black or carbon fibre trim.

Rear legroom is improved, but head space is still compromised – anyone over six foot tall should stick to the front seats.
 
From launch, there is a choice of CLS 350 models with petrol or diesel V6 engines.

Both provide major efficiency gainsover the outgoing units. For the first time, there’s an entry-level CLS 250 CDI, with a 201bhp four-cylinder diesel returning 55mpg.

Topping the range is the CLS 500; it has 20bhp more power, at 402bhp, but is 25 per cent more efficient.

The brakes are strong and consistent, too, while the electric power-steering offers more feel than ever, even though it helps cut CO2 output by 7g/km. The only letdown is the 7G-Tronic auto box, which tends to hold on to gears a little too long.

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