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Quite the cavalier from Swabia
Not only in the sign of #metoo a grip on the buttocks is forbidden. Or on the hip. Unless you are called Mercedes-Benz CLS and is a comfort seat. The caring solid accesses of the side wall in curves are by no means unpleasant. In general, the Mercedes-Benz CLS belongs more in the category gentle gentleman as obtrusive guy, as turns out after the two weeks of extensive test drives with a CLS 350 D 4matic. In a white suit, the almost five-meter-long four-door coupe skillfully sets in scene. Bright colors are good for him, they underline the molded like an athletic figure. A beau that attracts attention. All over. Still. Although he has been on the streets for fifteen years.
Noble wood and fine leather create a tasteful ambience
The diagonally slotted bi-xenon headlights with LED light strips look a bit stern, but the “diamonds” in the forward-sloping radiator grille sparkle all the more. He wears the star there and on the bonnet again. With 505 liters, there is not too much space under the strikingly beautiful rear for luggage when fully occupied. Fine brown leather in the tastefully coordinated shades of Marsala and Espresso and lots of fine wood are an irresistible lure to get in. It is important to duck your head in front and behind, because the designers in the third generation of the CLS have held on to the flat and seemingly endless roofline that tapers backwards. If you finally sit down, the beautiful Swabian spoils you to the best of his ability. The choice and processing of materials are top notch. The standard ambient lighting with 64 colors and ten color worlds can be adapted to the mood, the illuminated ventilation nozzles react to changed temperature settings with red or blue. A pleasant scent floats through the interior, far from an intrusive after shave. Only a massage function was missing in our heated and ventilated comfort seats.
The bounce of 0 at 100 km / h puts the Beau in 5,8 s on the floor
Under the hood of the test car, the CLS 350 d worked with 286 hp in combination with a nine-speed automatic. The maximum torque of 600 Newton meters is available at 1200 revolutions and drives the almost two-ton Coupé forward with smooth thrust. The sprint from 0 to 100 km / h is done in a brisk 5,8 seconds. As a diesel, the 350 d does not enjoy the fuel-saving soft hybridization reserved for gasoline engines. Nevertheless, the 7,6 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers reported at the end of our test drives are a good value for this vehicle class. With the optional 66 liter tank, you can easily travel 868 kilometers.
You do not drive, you hover over cobbled streets
The driving comfort of the CLS remained very fondly remembered in view of the daily route home, mostly over cobblestones. Even on rough road bumps, the Coupé with the optional adaptively damped air suspension remains completely unimpressed and floats as if on clouds. Only muffled noises penetrate inside, as if the beautiful Swabian wanted to protect you from the outside world. And yes, even emancipated female drivers will not perceive the help of his numerous assistants, all of whom have taken over from the S-Class, as chauvinistic paternalism. The CLS recognizes speed limits better than you do yourself, brakes automatically if a curve appears to be critically tight and drives short sequences all by itself before indicating with the necessary discretion that you should take the wheel again.
If you want to buy a car that sits well on the road with plenty of torque, you put 350 euros on the table for the CLS 57 d 250,00. All-wheel drive is always on board. But if a woman wants to risk an affair with this beau and all his formidable extras, she should have 114 euros ready. Right down to the penny.
data sheet Mercedes-Benz 350 d 4Matic
- Engine: Inline six-cylinder diesel
- Displacement: 2.925 cc
- Power: 286 PS (210 kW) at 4600 U7min
- Max. Torque: 600 Nm at 1200 rpm
- Top speed: 250 km / h
- 0 to 100 km / h: 5,8 seconds
- Usage: 5,7 l / 100 km combined
- Length / Width / Height: 4988 / 1890 / 1435
- Empty weight: 1935 kg
- Emission standard: Euro 6d-TEMP
- Price: from 57 250 Euro
Text and photos: Solveig Grewe