Friday, October 8, 2010

The Meaner looking Mercedes CLS 4-door coupe.

There is the saying that do not fix something that isn't broken. The same can be said about many cars and their subsequent face-lifts and model changes. For 2012 Mercedes shows us the all new second generation CLS which uses many design elements that are currently used on other models other current Benz lineup.

Drawing design cues from the shooting brake concept. the CLS features flared wheel arches, a sloping roofline, and optional LED headlights. The flared wheel arches along with the broad shoulder lines and a flattened nose give the CLS a far more muscular look than its sleeker predecessor. The front takes the aggressive look definatly to the next level while on the side view the CLS trades its graceful silhouette of swooping brush stroke-like lines and teardrop shape for a more muscular and shapely motif. Gone is the single crease character-line crease that rans the entire length of high silled pioneer 4-door coupe. That characteristic is traded for a shorter betline that ends where the bulky E-class coupe style rear fender flair begins. This gives the rear a bulkier presence eliminating the gracefully tapered rear end that came on the first generation. However the first CLS appeared a bit weak from the rear without the AMG package and rear trunk spoiler. This second generation CLS is a car of overal precense and aura rather that cohesive design cues which tend to be lost in this robotron looking front end dragging a sleeker but shapely rear end.

I was a fan of the CLS for its innovation and fluid proportions. New technology on the CLS-Class includes the LED headlamps, which feature a total of 71 individual lights. The lights are split into three sections, with the upper set forming the turn indicator, the middle serving as a low beam side light which also works when the high beams are on. There are the headlights themselves which do the night lighting. Inside is an interior finish done with some human touches. The wrap-around dash goes from door to door and holds the instrument panel and display screen. There are also matte galvanized vents and an analogue clock. The handcraft is featured in the stitched seat covers as well as in the dashboard and Mercedes-Benz has gone through the trouble of preshrinking the leather it uses on the CLS so it won't tighten up in the heat. High-gloss wood panels are also embedded inside the cabin - on the dash, center console and door linings. Buyers have a choice of brown burl walnut or black ash.

No doubt the new CLS will be a success, but whether it is as groundbreaking as the original is a matter of preference and a sign of the time. A Stylized car is more in vouge rather than a creful evolution of a masterpiece.