The W219 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class is the first generation of the CLS-Class range of four-door sedan features a fastback body style by Mercedes-Benz, and was produced between 2004 and 2010.
The CLS-Class only has four seats and is marketed by Mercedes as a four-door coupé. The car is less practical than the W211 E-Class that it is based on, with less legroom, headroom, and trunk space. The CLS-Class is priced above the E-Class, but below the S-Class in the Mercedes model range.
It was replaced by the W218 CLS-Class in 2011.
The W219 CLS-Class is based on the Vision CLS concept that was unveiled at the 2003 Frankfurt International Motor Show. The design combined the roof-line of a coupé onto the body of a four-door sedan, and featured new technologies such as cornering lights, an electrohydraulic braking system, a seven-speed (7G-Tronic) automatic transmission, and a turbo-diesel engine rated at 197 kW (264 hp) and 560 N⋅m (413 lb⋅ft).
The final production version of the W219 CLS-Class is based on the W211 E-Class platform, and shares major components including the engines, transmissions, and has an identical wheelbase of 2,854 mm (112 in). The car is 95 mm (4 in) longer, 51 mm (2 in) wider, and 27 mm (1 in) lower in comparison, and features a stiffer suspension setup and faster steering.
Design patents were filed on July 24, 2002. The production version CLS500 debuted at the 2004 New York International Auto Show.
Standard equipment includes heated automatically-dimming mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, and an automatic climate control system. The CLS-Class comes with front and side airbags, and a smart sensor system connected to the seatbelts and airbags that can detect and react to an accident. Available options include: self-cleaning bi-xenon HID headlamps, radar-guided cruise control, keyless go, GPS navigation, and AirMATIC air suspension that can be raised or lowered by 76 mm (3 in).
The CLS55 AMG is a high-performance variant of the CLS-Class featuring a 5.4-litre supercharged V8 producing 350 kW (469 hp) and 700 N⋅m (516 lb⋅ft), and was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in 2004. Compared to the standard model, the CLS55 AMG has larger 360 mm brake discs with eight-piston callipers from the SL55 AMG, wider 18-inch alloy wheels, revised stiffer AirMATIC air suspension with multiple driving modes, AMG bodywork, and a five-speed automatic transmission.
The CLS63 AMG was introduced in 2006, as the successor to the CLS55 AMG. The car is powered by the then new Mercedes M156 engine that produces 378 kW (507 hp) and 630 N⋅m (465 lb⋅ft); with less torque than before in order to accommodate the new AMG Speedshift Plus 7G-Tronic seven-speed transmission, instead of the previous five-speed automatic. The new transmission includes a comfort, sport, and manual mode that allows for the manual changing of gears. The car also features an updated instrument cluster and alloy-wheel design.
The CLS Grand Edition was a special edition model of the CLS-Class, with only 560 units produced and sold in 2009. The CLS Grand Edition was available with all non-AMG models at the time, and the CLS350 CDI model received performance improvements of 38 kW (51 hp) and 50 N⋅m (37 lb⋅ft). Standard equipment included: bi-xenon headlights, titanium grey 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, laurel wood interior trim, and 'Grand Edition' insignia. Models were also offered with a choice of designo leather upholstery and four exclusive metallic exterior paint colours.
In 2008, a facelift was introduced for the CLS-Class:
Pre-facelift styling
Post-facelift styling
The CLS-Class was produced in Sindelfingen, Germany.
The following are the sales figures in European markets and in the United States only:
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