CLS [Hot!] 2021 Mercedes Benz CLS facelift (mopf)

[Pepecl]

A new headlamps design would definitely help... Unfortunately not a case in the CLS and probably the same story will come with the AMG GT 4-Door Coupé facelift.
However I like the new CLS 53 front as it looks more as AMG. The AMG GT needs the "V8 design package" more than before.

 

[Merc1]

The CLS is so unloved even by Mercedes, there aren't even any real length videos of the facelift. Only a few quick little clips. Youch. I wonder why they didn't just drop it altogether.

M

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

I like the CLS. It's a highly attractive vehicle, however it should have had a lift back tailgate like the A5 and A7. The success of those two models, particularly the A5 in Europe, should have made this obvious to Mercedes.

The last model was quite succesfull here, however MB Australia has destroyed it's market presence with pricing, specifications and available configurations (i.e Why would you wants a CLS53 with Brown Ash wood trim for instance? Too bad because that's all you can get down under!)

 

[tennmb]

E53 vs CLS53
I dont know bout you guys, but for me the CLS wins this battle

They're basially the same car. They should have hatched the rear and just called it an E-class GT

 

[Laurent T]

I still find the CLS much more visually appealing than the AMG GT 4 doors.

 

[Merc1]

I found some other info about CLS sales in the U.S:

It wouldn't come as a surprise as just 1,206 examples of the CLS-Class were sold in the U.S. in 2020, and the figures for 2018 and 2019 were even lower.

That would mean a mere 100 a month. I knew sales were low but I didn't know they were that low. Youch. I'ts a wonder MBUSA didn't drop it all together. Then you look at the AMG GT sales figures and they're up 25% for the first quarter then it is clear why the CLS53 was dropped. I would bet the the AMG GT43 and GT53 models were easily outselling the CLS53. So the redundancy has been removed. Might as well get more money for the AMG GT models with the same engines. Now the question is what will Mercedes do with the A-Class and CLA? The A is outselling the CLA, but both sell pretty good for a SUV mad market.

M

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

I found some other info about CLS sales in the U.S:



That would mean a mere 100 a month. I knew sales were low but I didn't know they were that low. Youch. I'ts a wonder MBUSA didn't drop it all together. Then you look at the AMG GT sales figures and they're up 25% for the first quarter then it is clear why the CLS53 was dropped. I would bet the the AMG GT43 and GT53 models were easily outselling the CLS53. So the redundancy has been removed. Might as well get more money for the AMG GT models with the same engines. Now the question is what will Mercedes do with the A-Class and CLA? The A is outselling the CLA, but both sell pretty good for a SUV mad market.

M

In late 2019, when we bought the M850i, The CLS53 was priced at about AUD$230K here (about AUD$40K above what it should actually have been), the AMG GT53 priced at about AUD$280K and the AMG GT63 at around AUD$360K. MB would not discount the AMG GT's at all. They have since dropped the AMG GT53 from the line up entirely and you can't find a CLS53 at a dealership anywhere. In fact you'd be lucky to see a CLS variant of any sort. The positioning and product differentiation between the CLS and AMG GT 4 door was botched from the start.

 

[Merc1]

The CLS nameplate should have just become the hardcore performance Panamera competitor that the AMG GT 4D is and just have that one car with an already established nameplate instead of making a 4-door AMG GT that isn't even related to the AMG GT, but it was a marketing move. The marketing guys went too far and the CLS is going to die because of it, but the 4-door AMG GT does appear to be selling at least here in the U.S.

I think most consider the CLS to be the better looking of the two cars. So imagine the CLS with the performance chops of the AMG GT 4D, that would have been a winner IMO. Then a CLS53, CLS63, CLS63s and now CLS73 would make sense. One car had to suffer during development and planning and that car is the CLS, so you can just kiss her goodbye.

M

 

[martinbo]

This is my favourite iteration of the CLS. It's a wonderful, elegant rarity on roads and I'd love to have one. A special and sadly overlooked car.

 

[bmwz4coupe]

Still a handsome car, but in a way overshadowed by the first generation CLS which actually was a design icon IMO

 

[Merc1]

Does anyone know if they have tweaked the ride/handling with this facelift?

M

 

[Sonder]

From this angle the CLS for my opinion looks super sexy and hot
A true sharky

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

I like everything about this CLS except the headlights.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

From this angle the CLS for my opinion looks super sexy and hot
A true sharky

Baby shark do do do do,
Baby shark do do do do,
Baby shark do do do do,
Babu shark!

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Beautiful car. CLS looks better than the AMG GT 4 in my opinion.

It really does. Sorry to see it go (if it does).

 

[Levi68]

Strange how my favorite Mercedes models, CLS, E Coupe and GLC Coupe, are not the best sellers, two of these also have no full AMG version.

I must really have bad taste that most cars I like, regardles of brand are bad sellers.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Strange how my favorite Mercedes models, CLS, E Coupe and GLC Coupe, are not the best sellers, two of these also have no full AMG version.

I must really have bad taste that most cars I like, regardles of brand are bad sellers.

Your picks really are all lovely design wise! They are just never going to be high volume vehicles.

That said I believe Mercedes has really not done the CLS any favours:
1. It should have had a sportback trunk. Why did they give the AMG GT, a performance model, the more practical boot solution? Audi's A5 and A7 are proof that sportsbacks are desireable. The A5 outsells the A4 in many markets!
2. There is a severe lack of engine options in many markets. We only get the 450 and 53 here in Australia. The vast majority of previous generation CLS's sold here were 250d variants. We are talking about a AUD$40,000 price difference between base models!

 

[Antti]

This might be different in various markets, but over here, spec up a CLS and E-Class sedan with the same engine and same options, and you end up with the CLS costing +€20k over the E-Class. No wonder it’s not selling.

 

[PHYBENZ]

I think they messed up with the CLS with the rear which to me is just not attractive, aggressive, or sporty. Also on the inside the fact that it is not differentiated from the E makes one wonder why the price diff?

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

This might be different in various markets, but over here, spec up a CLS and E-Class sedan with the same engine and same options, and you end up with the CLS costing +€20k over the E-Class. No wonder it’s not selling.

With an interior that is identical to the E. But that doesn't seem to hurt the A7 sport back.