2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS has officially arrived! Road Test TV

October 1st, 2010 by Road Test TV


Road Test TV – It’s official – the 2012 Mercedes CLS is at the Paris Auto show for all to see. However, it will not go on sale in the U.S. until early 2011.

The Mercedes CLS has a more hard edged look for 2012 similar to the revamped E class. Big news will come in the way of engines since the upper spectrum 2011 CLS will be powered by a direct injected twin turbo V8.  That should give BMW something to worry about.

First to the U.S. market will be the the CLS550.  As it stands now, the 5.5-liter V-8 will produce 402 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque.  A seven-speed automatic transmission is expected to be used. In Europe, buyers can expect a  six-cylinder, a diesel as well as V-8 engines. The the AMG CLS63 will more likely than not be powered by the same twin turbo V8 that is making its debut in 2011 in the CL63.

Mercedes was also looking for increased fuel eff efficiency with the new CLS.  As such, the 2012 model is chock full of new technology including Direct Steer, an electromechanical system that increases steering effort at higher speeds for stability, while improving energy consumption over a typical hydraulic power-steering system.  The CLS also uses lots of lightweight plastics and metals in its doors, hood, fenders, decklid and other body panels, to keep weight down.

In the area of safety, Mercedes  has incorporated an Active Lane Departure Assist which uses technology to keep the CLS driver in its own lane.  Not a bad idea. The 2012 CLS will also include a blind-spot warning device to alert the driver of objects in their blind spot.  The new CLS appears to be a step in the right direction for Mercedes.

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