Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class (W218)


The W218 Mercedes-Benz CLS is the second generation of the Mercedes CLS-Class range of four-door
fastbacks. The model shares the chassis and most of the technology with the W212 Mercedes E-class and was produced from 2010 to 2018. The body styles of the range are:
Unlike its predecessor, the C218/ X218 CLS can be optioned with all-wheel drive 4MATIC on all models including CLS63 AMG variants. Mercedes also introduced a new five-door estate version to the CLS lineup, called the CLS Shooting Brake.
The W218 CLS-Class was succeeded by the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class in 2018.

Development and launch

The design of the W218 CLS is based on the F800 Style concept car unveiled by Mercedes-Benz at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. It is a four-door coupé featuring a new COMAND interface utilizing a touchpad, design cues inspired by the Mercedes SLS AMG, and sliding rear doors. The production version W218 CLS was publicly unveiled at the 2010 Paris Motor Show and as with the previous generation, is based on the E-Class platform, utilising the same rear multi-link suspension setup.

Body styles

Sedan (C218)

Production started in January 2011, with 4MATIC model sales starting later in September.

Shooting Brake (X218)

The CLS Shooting Brake was announced in June 2012, and is an estate version of the CLS sedan. It is based on the Concept Shooting Brake unveiled at Auto China 2010. Shooting Brake models went on sale from October 2012, and are available alongside sedan models in all-wheel drive and AMG variants. It is currently not sold in the United States. It is the most expensive serial production station wagon in the world since year 1992.

Equipment

Standard equipment includes bi-xenon headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, dual zone automatic climate control, power sunroof, and satellite navigation with a 10TB hard-drive. Standard safety equipment consists of anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, active head restraints, and 10 total front, side, and knee airbags. CLS models also come with driver fatigue detection and lane departure warning system functions as standard. Available options include Mercedes' AirMATIC air suspension, traffic sign recognition, and a reversing camera in conjunction with the COMAND APS system.

Models

Petrol engines

Diesel engines

CLS63 AMG

The CLS63 AMG is a high performance variant of the CLS and went on sale in March 2011. It features a 5.5 L twin-turbo V8 rated at and. Standard equipment includes an AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed transmission, a wider front track, larger 360 mm ventilated and perforated brake discs, an AMG sports exhaust system, and a three-spoke AMG Performance steering wheel with shift paddles. The CLS63 AMG is available in both sedan and Shooting Brake variants, as well as in rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive 4MATIC configurations.
Edition 1 models were available exclusively in the first year of its market launch, and featured minor power increases of and. Other additions include Edition 1 insignia, matte exterior paintwork, designo leather, and a choice of three AMG exclusive interior trim. An AMG Performance Package was also offered separately, and featured a carbon-fibre spoiler lip, red brake calipers, and increased performance gains of and, resulting in a 0-60 mph time of 4.1 s.
From April 2013, the CLS63 AMG range was updated to now produce and. The Performance Package was also replaced by the new CLS63 AMG S model, featuring further performance and efficiency enhancements, all-wheel drive 4MATIC as standard, and a rear locking differential. It is also available as a Shooting Brake variant and launched in June 2013.

Model year changes

2014 facelift

A facelift was introduced for the CLS model range in 2014.
The major changes are:
As with the previous generation, the CLS sedan and Shooting Brake models are produced in Sindelfingen, Germany.
The following are the sales figures for the W218 CLS in Europe only:
YearTotal
201117,414
201212,797
201315,139
201410,289
201512,600
20167,803
20175,116
Total:81,158

Awards