CLS [Official] 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLS

[klier]

Tough crowd for a first post.

Seriously, what's up with that?

Welcome!

 

[Zafiro]

Tough crowd for a first post.

Benz fans are known to be dangerous and living on the edge

 

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

A 50-Year-Old Regulation Stops Us From Getting Cool Headlights

I recently learned that Mercedes-Benz, official automaker of drivers who put tissue boxes on the rear shelf, has updated the CLS for the 2015 model year. This is great news, and I invite you all to join me in expressing our collective excitement by asking the following question: They stillmake the CLS?

Just kidding! I'm very aware they still make the CLS. I think about it every time I drive past a first-generation CLS, which was very cutting-edge when it came out in 2005, but now looks like the kind of thing an emerging Russian luxury brand would've created during the last days of the Cold War. Seriously: the original CLS has aged so badly that you half expect to see them driving around with stick-on fender vents, missing hubcaps, and huge "SALT LIFE" decals in the back window.12

But anyway, back to the new CLS. Here's what they're updating for the 2015 model year:

1. They're changing the headlights and front bumper so that people who leased a CLS three years ago can tell their friends they now have "the new one."3

2. They're adding that stick-on infotainment screen everyone seems to hate, except for actual Mercedes owners.45

3. They're coming out with a base-level, V6-powered CLS400 model in an attempt to increase annual North American sales from 27 units to 36.

You know what they're not doing? They're not coming out with cool adaptive headlights that illuminate the road ahead like a police helicopter's searchlight while simultaneously keeping light away from other drivers. I mean, yeah, sure, they're coming out with this technology inEurope. But not here. And it's all because of a federal regulation that was enacted before man walked on the moon.6

But before we get to that, a little background on the CLS lighting system. It's called Active Multibeam II, and here's how it works: you're driving along on some dark road with your high beams illuminated. The system senses another car coming your way. Just then, 24 differentindividually controlled LEDs spring into action: the ones pointed at the other car dim so the oncoming driver isn't blinded. The ones pointed at the road ahead brighten so you can see where you're going. And when you pass, the lights go back to their ready position, excited to do their job again, until the entire system breaks six months after the warranty expires.7

Audi has a similar system, which it calls "MatrixBeam LED." It works in approximately the same way as the Mercedes system, only with two minor exceptions: 1) Audi doesn't use as many LEDs as Mercedes, and 2) Audi's system will break during the warranty period, but Audi North America will deny your warranty claim.

Of course, the system's longevity doesn't matter to North American consumers, because we won't be getting this technology anyway. And that brings us back to the Nixon-era regulation that prohibits it. Behold, federal regulation 3222-A, section B, row 19, seats 4 and 5, located just behind the visitor's dugout, which states, and I'm paraphrasing here:

August 7, 1968: IT IS RESOLVED THAT President Nixon is doing a superb job of managing this great nation. FURTHER, BE IT KNOWN that the Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia is the pinnacle of automotive design and shall forever be understood as the finest vehicle of the modern era. THUSLY, IT IS HEREBY ENACTED THAT ALL HEADLIGHTS MUST HERETOFORE HAVE "HIGH" AND "LOW" SETTINGS, ASSUMING THAT "HERETOFORE" MEANS "IN THE FUTURE."8

So the crux of this issue is that Mercedes-Benz, and Audi, and everyone else, must have a driver-selectable "high" and "low" setting on their headlights in order to be compliant with this regulation. This is largely because federal regulators back in the 1960s could've never dreamedof a system where a computer controls a car's headlights, largely because all the stories you hear about computers from the 1960s say they were the size of a living room table, and they were mostly used for playing chess.

The problem with this regulation, of course, is that Mercedes-Benz and Audi do have a "high" and "low" setting — it just isn't controlled by the driver. Instead, it's controlled by modern technology that's a LOT smarter than the average Mercedes or Audi driver. I base this statement on the sheer number of Audi A4 Cabriolet owners who drive around at all hours of the day with absolutely no knowledge that their high beams are on. It would be nice to get a federal regulation banning these people from the road, but this is where government falls short.9

So now you're thinking: OK, fine. We get your point. So what should we do about it? Rise up? Write to our congressperson? Picket the Capitol? HURL THINGS AT THE WHITE HOUSE?!?!The answer is, of course, that you should do none of those things. I say this because Audi has been attempting to get this regulation changed for 18 months now, and they've made absolutely no progress. So what impact would you have, as an average, regular, everyday Oreo-eating citizen? Absolutely none. Instead, you should just relax, forget your outrage, and above all else, remember to shield your eyes when you see an A4 Cabriolet coming the other direction.

http://jalopnik.com/a-50-year-old-regulation-stops-us-from-getting-cool-hea-1594900077

 

[GTA45E]

I think it would have been a benefit if Mercedes had used the new rear LED light graphics on this 2015 CLS face/lift. (Like what is featured on the latest E-Class and other newer Benzes) Not only that, but a slight reshaping would have spiced things up a bit and added some freshness imo.
I made a quick, free hand sketch of the new LED graphics. I included a slight reshaping of the taillights by making them just slightly taller while taking some of the width out and adding a little edge at the upper corners that echo the new headlights. The bottom of these taillights have also been slightly rounded. I tried to give these taillights a slight V affect that centers and pins down the rear end. My goal here was to take some of the rather "boring generics" out while adding a little reserved, sporty flair for the 2015 face/lift.

The new rectangular AMG tailpipes fitted to the V8 powered AMG models is another great element missing on the 2015 face/lift CLS portfolio, pity...

 

[Wolfgang]

MB Passion is on the way to London for the first live pics, to be followed by pics from the Goodwood FoS.

Brabus pre facelift CLS 63 AMG in London -- seized by police
http://www.autoevolution.com/news/brabus-cls-63-amg-seized-by-police-in-london-video-65755.html

 

[Wolfgang]

First pictures from the Goodwood Festival of Speed are arriving.

http://www.worldcarfans.com/1140626...stival-of-speed-sculpture-celebrates-mercedes

 

[DJRaze99]

 

[Star&Car]

I don't like it being called "the new generation".

 

[Monster]

I don't like it being called "the new generation".

I don't like it either but every other marketing departments are doing just the same.

 

[DJRaze99]

 

[Yaz]

We won't be getting those headlights in the US, right @Wolfgang ?

 

[Merc1]

Nope. A 1968(!) regulation prevents it. The big question is whether or not we're getting the CLS SB here. Some sites seem to think so because a promo video was shot in NYC, but I'm not so sure that matters.

M

 

[Wolfgang]

^ Here's the latest update from MBUSA.

UPDATE. We recently spoke with the CEO of MBUSA, Steve Cannon, who told us that the CLS Shooting Brake will not get a US-version.
http://www.autoevolution.com/news/m...ls-shooting-brake-for-the-us-video-82673.html

 

[Pagani]

What is the issue with wagons and auto makers' perception that Americans don't like them? We like SUVs, don't we? Surely the perceived wagon attitude is out of touch by a decade or so.

 

[lukeswiss]

What is the issue with wagons and auto makers' perception that Americans don't like them? We like SUVs, don't we? Surely the perceived wagon attitude is out of touch by a decade or so.

It's weird...
My friends in Europe consider the wagon more sporty than a sedan, because you can carry all your snowboards and sports equipment.... whereas in Australia (which is more similar to the North American market, I assume) consider the sedan more sporty, as it's more for families who need the additional space.

 

[DJRaze99]

Night Package.

http:///2014/06/das-night-paket-fuer-die-modellpflege-des-cls/

 

[Amat46]

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[Giannis]

I need to state that the CLS Shooting Break has one of the most sexy shapes in the whole automotive industry. No matter what engine, specs or colour, I'd really love to have one in my garage!

 

[donkeykong]

I need to state that the CLS Shooting Break has one of the most sexy shapes in the whole automotive industry. No matter what engine, specs or colour, I'd really love to have one in my garage!

Some might argue it's shooting break or bust.

 

[Pagani]

^ Does not look half bad.