Best Motorbuys: July 12, 2019

By Ross Kiddie
Mercedes-Benz Cls-Class
I
doubt I’ll ever know the real answer.
Why, after all the years of recent
development, has Mercedes-Benz
altered the configuration of its six-cylinder
engines?
It goes like this – for as long as I can
remember the engines were straightsixes,
then in the late 90s the company
reconfigured them to a V6-type that were
highly successful, now the new CLS-Class
arrives with an engine that has gone full
circle – an inline six.
I can work out the answer to a certain
extent, and no-one knows better than
me – most of the cars I have ever owned
have had straight-six engines – they are
characteristic for their smoothness and
refinement, and I guess that’s where
Mercedes-Benz is coming from, the
CLS450 is the epitome of sophistication
and elegance.
The CLS is classed as a coupe, to me it’s
pretty much a coupe-type sedan with its
four doors yet definite sloping rear which
incorporates a deep under-liftback boot.
The evaluation car was painted black,
and it captured attention from everyone
who gazed at it, it’s a stunning looker and
measures up in the area of performance.
Mercedes-Benz label it a mild hybrid,
there are engineering aspects which
gather, store and deliver energy; however,
for me I still see it as a traditional power
plant, and that fabulous six-potter is
amazing with its outputs and polish on
delivery.
Mercedes-Benz rates the turbocharged
3-litre unit at 270kW and 500Nm of
torque, both outputs realised at usable
points in the rev band – 5500rpm
and 1600rpm respectively. Drive from
the engine, and small electric motor,
is channelled through a nine-speed
automatic gearbox to all four wheels, yes
the CLS in this form utilises the 4Matic
system carried across many other models
from this stable.
Put simply, in the CLS’ case, the 4Matic
system is a device to enhance grip levels
on sealed surfaces, and that characterises
the model, it is a slick open road charger
with handling ability to address the power
outputs. Of course, there are several drive
modes, and some of those are structured
so that the high country roads can be
tackled with speed and dignity.
I took the test car on a short Port Hills
loop and thoroughly enjoyed its ride and
handling balance.
The CLS is low (1.4m), as a consequence
there is little body movement over the
suspension, and if you add in the quality
of the air suspension elements there is
little doubt the CLS is made for those
quick highway journeys. Huge low profile
20in Good Year Eagle tyres add to the
equation, grip is high and performance
barely equalled in a car of this type.
In terms of figures, the CLS 450 will
accelerate to 100km/h in 4.8sec and will
make a highway overtake in 3.8sec, it
simply scorches through the acceleration
process, and there’s no point where the
engine stops giving, it is forceful, yet you
would never know it is working hard, it
simply delivers without sound.
As honest as it is with its response,
the engineers have also developed the
driveline with fuel economy in mind.
Mercedes-Benz claims an 8.7-litre per
100km (32mpg) combined cycle average.
That sits well with the 9.4l/100km
(30mpg) figure showing constantly on
the dash display graphics. At 100km/h it
Price: Mercedes-Benz CLS450,
$157,890
Dimensions: Length, 4988mm;
width, 2069mm; height, 1435mm
Configuration: Six-cylinder, fourwheel-drive,
2999cc, 270kW,
500Nm, nine-speed automatic.
Performance: 0-100km/h, 4.8sec
Fuel usage: 7.6l/100km
is sipping fuel at just 5l/100km (56mpg)
with the engine turning over amazingly
low at 1250rpm.
All of these computations add up to a
beautifully engineered vehicle, it also
stands out for its dignity and all of those
values you look to Mercedes-Benz for. The
CLS 450 has a magnitude of safety kit,
and that’s evident every time you drive it.
There are almost autonomous-like devices
which keep you out of trouble.
There’s also a plethora of features for
comfort and convenience, the CLS just
feels so right to be in. While it is a big car
at almost 5m, you don’t actually feel its
size when you are driving it. As a driver it
gives you all of the feel and satisfaction
you would expect from a car which lists in
standard form at $157,890.
Although it may seem like a big outlay, I’d
happily pay that amount for such a true
luxury car, one which delivers so much in
terms of overall performance.
Every time now I get in the Kiddie-family
Toyota I’m looking for the six-cylinder
smoothness that also makes the CLS so
desirable. It’s not quite there in the Toyota,
but it is certainly an indication of what the
inline-six can deliver.
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