“A CLS Apart”

Imagine a chalkboard. A space of greyish-black nothingness. Now pick up a chalk and write a word, five letters; C-L-A-S-S, an everyday word with multiple meanings. You are free to pick which ever one you like best. “Class: adj (Informal) – of high quality, integrity, status or style.”

That is the dictionary meaning of the word that I like. Well, the first thing you would like is, to hear this word in a sentence. Alright, here it is, “ Those are some class players on a mediocre team.”

Right, so that’s that. Now you can relate to the word easily. It’s basically a casual way of stating that something or someone is very chic.

Let’s get back to our imaginary blackboard.

The word “CLASS” staring right at you in the face. What I want you to do now is pick up your imaginary duster and gently erase the letter “A” and then move your hand over to the right and remove the letter “S.” What do you have left?

“CLS”

To be honest, I think Mercedes-Benz secretly named this four-door coupé in precisely the way mentioned above. The CLS is what defined the word Class when it was launched back in 2005. It started a new trend, a new segment and made way for something that completely changed the styling of four door sedans.

What Mercedes-benz have done with the CLS is appeal to the emotional ones, the ones that enjoy style, the ones that know the difference between an Ediety and Merovingian knot, to the ones that care about their image and about the car they show up in.

Everything for the CLS starts with it’s looks. It’s front end is what gets heads turning immediately. The diamond grille with the large three-pointed star looks suave, but it’s the jewel like headlights that really adds the beauty to this machine. We’ll get to talking about how awesome those lights are later.

I have not always agreed when automobile designers and craftsmen compare cars to women. There are some cars though that do resonate with the sexiness of a the female figure and I have to admit that this is one of them! The curves and contours of this car will make you want to run a finger along the length of it’s body.

The long front end is typically Mercedes along with the tight rear. The tail-lamps remind one of the eyes of a celebrity, especially when they twinkle when turned on.

Globally the CLS comes with various engine options. The CLS550 and CLS400 being the most common. For more power and flamboyance you can always get your hands on the CLS63 AMG, but here in India we get the CLS with the four cylinder turbo-diesel engine as the CLS250 CDI. Now don’t start complaining. Power isn’t everything. Yeah, I know I sound weird saying that, but the small diesel engine makes this car quite fuel efficient and a great tourer.

It holds speed well and seamlessly moves through the air without giving the driver or the passenger a hint of the speeds it is doing. Hitting 255km/h on the Yamuna Expressway was effortless for the CLS. To tell you the truth, it doesn’t feel difficult to handle at all. It is not a hulking beast to manoeuvre in traffic either. In a crowded city like Agra on a Sunday, apart from making passers by turn there heads, the CLS held it’s own and even weaved it’s way through the city chaos to our hotel for the night.

You must be wondering now, the CLS looks great, drives great, is not too hard on the pockets and it is even available at a considerable price, what are the drawbacks?

First things first, the CLS is strictly a four seater. Yep, a four-door, four cylinder, four seater sedan. There is a large central tunnel that divides the two rear seats which can be used as storage space. After all the CLS is like an off-spring of the C-class and the S-class, but more premium than the E-class in it’s own way. For the price, and to be blatantly honest, the car is an E-class after some cosmetic surgery, wearing a tight black gown and a lot of make-up.

The interior is plush, but the fastback design with the sloping roof doesn’t make it the most comfortable car for tall passengers. Headroom is not it’s strong suit, looking good is. Whatever it may be though, apart from the slightly cramped interior the CLS is still a great car and let me stress once again, it looks fantastic.

The looks are aggressive yet sensual, the lights glisten when turned on and can automatically adjust themselves so that they don’t blind oncoming traffic and keep bright beams on the road for the driver at the same time. Mercedes-Benz has taken light engineering a step further by adding twenty-one cameras on the LEDs that allow the lights to adjust themselves as per the surroundings. Without giving the CLS front fog-lamps MB has made sure that the lights adapt to the turning of the steering wheel, illuminating the corner as the car takes one.

Delhi to Agra, is a route that is enjoyable for anyone that likes driving in a straight line, pedal to the metal. There is not too much scenery, flat fields on either side of the expressway and an extremely well paved road. Even cheaper cars get a test of their top speed on this road, if the driver is willing to try, which doesn’t really take too much effort. In the CLS it felt like gliding. It was as if the car was hovering just above the surface, moving only when the road surface changed for a bump or a dip. Yes, the ride can be a little stiff sometimes, but in comfort mode you can’t really ask for a softer suspension. If required the car can be lowered into “Sport” mode for better handling and an even stiffer ride and the suspension can be raised as well to get over those ridiculous speed breakers.

Right, so the CLS comes with all the bells and whistles a non S-class owner can ask for. It’s obviously got the looks. I have been going on about that for a while now. The inside is comfortable, but a little cramped and it comes with the latest Mercedes-Benz “Command” system, dual zone climate control and dedicated rear A/C as well.

If style and luxury are part of your DNA and you don’t want something as big or luxurious as the S-class and you want something better than the E-class the CLS is a perfect choice. If the only thing holding you back in the engine, then the CLS63 AMG would be a perfect bet.

The CLS is by far a class apart from what is available in the market. It is a trend setter, the one that stands out and the one known to pave it’s own segment in the car market. It emotionally appealing and hit you right where you are soft. It can make the hardest of the hearts turn soft and the softest of the hearts, melt. After all when it comes to four door coupé’s, it’s the best or nothing.