WSJ Review of CLS
04-01-2005, 04:00 PM
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WSJ Review of CLS
A Coupe in Sedan's Clothing
By JONATHAN WELSH
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
April 1, 2005; Page W11C
Once upon a time, coupes had two doors, sedans had four and that was that.
Now Mercedes-Benz has introduced the new CLS500, which it calls "the world's first four-door coupe." This is akin to calling something "the world's first midnight matinee" or "the world's first airborne submarine."
Besides an exercise in semantics, the CLS is the latest effort by carmakers to offer more variety to consumers. Mercedes says the CLS500, with a base price of $64,900, fills the gap between the carmaker's midsize E500 sedan and larger S500. Or is that gap between the CLK500 and CL500 coupes? That depends on which Mercedes official is speaking. Technically, the CLS is related to the E500, as it's built on the E's chassis and shares its engine, transmission and many other components.
PERFORMANCE ANXIETY
See how the Mercedes-Benz CLS500 compares with other stylish luxury coupes, and what we liked -- and didn't -- about the car.
Share and Share Alike
It's this kind of "platform sharing" that has allowed auto makers to spin off many different models while avoiding the expense of engineering each one separately. They don't have to sell as many to make money, either -- Mercedes plans on selling just 12,000 CLS-class cars in the U.S. this year. (Sharing also extends to defects: CLS models were included in yesterday's recall of many Mercedes vehicles, though cars ordered today will have updated components and aren't subject to the recall .)
But platform sharing can also make for a confusing walk around a dealer's showroom. With the CLS, Mercedes now has 10 product lines and 40 different models to choose from -- more than twice the number it had 10 years ago. There are now a dozen models alone that are called "coupes" by the manufacturer.
Neither fish nor fowl: Mercedes-Benz's new CLS500 has four doors, but the manufacturer insists it has more in common with a coupe. Translation? It has a striking design but a cramped rear seat.
To try to make sense of it all, we spent a week with a CLS to find out what kind of car it really is.
The CLS is certainly unique-looking, with a low, bow-shaped roof and headlights that wrap dramatically from the front grille to the outer corners of the fenders. Some may find it all a bit too cartoon-like and prefer the more sober Mercedes designs of old, but we thought it was something else.
Inside, the CLS looks more modern than other Mercedes four-doors. Controls are nicely laid out, with just enough chrome trim to not look overdone. In some critical ways, though, function followed form by a wide margin. The rear seat can be a claustrophobic place, with narrow windows and deep seats, and both front and rear headroom are limited. Drivers over six feet tall should try the car on carefully before buying.
Positive Feedback
The drive itself was a pleasure once we got the seats adjusted to make the most of limited space. The CLS's V8 has been around for a while in other models, but its 302 horsepower are enough to get the sedan (coupe, whatever) to 60 miles an hour in under six seconds, which is quick enough. Its gentle burbling growl also sounded lovely through a pair of broad, sculpted exhaust pipes.
Handling was crisper than we expected in a 16-foot-long, two-ton car. The CLS went where we pointed it and was agile through twisty sections of road. The driver gets good feedback from the tires, suspension and steering, all of which occasionally groaned when we got overly enthusiastic, but we still found ourselves looking for a route home via snaking back roads. We don't normally do something like that in a car this big.
In the end, we were taken with the CLS's looks and performance, but confused about its purpose. We suspect that people looking for a two-door will want a two-door, and sedan shoppers will be better served by Mercedes's E-Class, leaving us unsure of whom this car is for. Then we remembered that more onlookers' heads swiveled as we rolled by in our CLS than any other car we've driven in a while. Surely there are at least 12,000 people who care about that.
Write to Jonathan Welsh at jonathan.welsh@wsj.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice to Readers: Jonathan Welsh answers readers' questions about automobiles in "Me and My Car," a column appearing in Wednesday's Personal Journal. E-mail questions to mecar@wsj.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Performance Anxiety
Here's how the Mercedes-Benz CLS500 compares with other stylish luxury coupes.
MAKE/MODEL BASE PRICE ENGINE/HORSEPOWER ACCELERATION 0-60 MPH (SEC.) WEIGHT (POUNDS) EPA MILEAGE (CITY/HWY)
Mercedes-Benz CLS500 $64,900 V8/302 5.9 4,050 16/22
BMW 645Ci $69,900 V8/325 5.5 3,781 17/25
Lexus SC 430 $63,575 V8/300 5.9 3,840 18/23
Jaguar XK8 $69,330 V8/294 6.5 3,779 18/26
Bentley Continental GT $155,990 12-cyl./552 4.4 5,247 11/18
Backseat Driver
Here's what we liked -- and didn't -- about Mercedes-Benz CLS500.
What Works What Doesn't
The Outside Long, low-slung body has a curved, arched-back shape that makes the big car look athletic. Stick with darker colors. We saw a white CLS on the street and found it looking surprisingly lumpy.
The Inside Dashboard is more modern-looking and less fussy than in other Mercedes cars. We even like the wood. Sculpted rear seats, with a veneered console between them, look great until you try to sit.
Under the Hood Smooth V8 engine's 302 horses drive the two-ton car to 60 mph in under six seconds without strain. Aging motor has powered Mercedes cars since the late 1990s and now lags behind some rivals' power.
Behind the Wheel Ride is a nice balance between cushy on the highway and firm on twisty roads. We're still not wild about the tiny, distracting buttons that control navigation and radio.
Over the Top Seven-speed automatic transmission adapts electronically to varying driving styles. Steering-wheel clutter. Are we the only ones turned off by so many buttons on the wheel?
By JONATHAN WELSH
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
April 1, 2005; Page W11C
Once upon a time, coupes had two doors, sedans had four and that was that.
Now Mercedes-Benz has introduced the new CLS500, which it calls "the world's first four-door coupe." This is akin to calling something "the world's first midnight matinee" or "the world's first airborne submarine."
Besides an exercise in semantics, the CLS is the latest effort by carmakers to offer more variety to consumers. Mercedes says the CLS500, with a base price of $64,900, fills the gap between the carmaker's midsize E500 sedan and larger S500. Or is that gap between the CLK500 and CL500 coupes? That depends on which Mercedes official is speaking. Technically, the CLS is related to the E500, as it's built on the E's chassis and shares its engine, transmission and many other components.
PERFORMANCE ANXIETY
See how the Mercedes-Benz CLS500 compares with other stylish luxury coupes, and what we liked -- and didn't -- about the car.
Share and Share Alike
It's this kind of "platform sharing" that has allowed auto makers to spin off many different models while avoiding the expense of engineering each one separately. They don't have to sell as many to make money, either -- Mercedes plans on selling just 12,000 CLS-class cars in the U.S. this year. (Sharing also extends to defects: CLS models were included in yesterday's recall of many Mercedes vehicles, though cars ordered today will have updated components and aren't subject to the recall .)
But platform sharing can also make for a confusing walk around a dealer's showroom. With the CLS, Mercedes now has 10 product lines and 40 different models to choose from -- more than twice the number it had 10 years ago. There are now a dozen models alone that are called "coupes" by the manufacturer.
Neither fish nor fowl: Mercedes-Benz's new CLS500 has four doors, but the manufacturer insists it has more in common with a coupe. Translation? It has a striking design but a cramped rear seat.
To try to make sense of it all, we spent a week with a CLS to find out what kind of car it really is.
The CLS is certainly unique-looking, with a low, bow-shaped roof and headlights that wrap dramatically from the front grille to the outer corners of the fenders. Some may find it all a bit too cartoon-like and prefer the more sober Mercedes designs of old, but we thought it was something else.
Inside, the CLS looks more modern than other Mercedes four-doors. Controls are nicely laid out, with just enough chrome trim to not look overdone. In some critical ways, though, function followed form by a wide margin. The rear seat can be a claustrophobic place, with narrow windows and deep seats, and both front and rear headroom are limited. Drivers over six feet tall should try the car on carefully before buying.
Positive Feedback
The drive itself was a pleasure once we got the seats adjusted to make the most of limited space. The CLS's V8 has been around for a while in other models, but its 302 horsepower are enough to get the sedan (coupe, whatever) to 60 miles an hour in under six seconds, which is quick enough. Its gentle burbling growl also sounded lovely through a pair of broad, sculpted exhaust pipes.
Handling was crisper than we expected in a 16-foot-long, two-ton car. The CLS went where we pointed it and was agile through twisty sections of road. The driver gets good feedback from the tires, suspension and steering, all of which occasionally groaned when we got overly enthusiastic, but we still found ourselves looking for a route home via snaking back roads. We don't normally do something like that in a car this big.
In the end, we were taken with the CLS's looks and performance, but confused about its purpose. We suspect that people looking for a two-door will want a two-door, and sedan shoppers will be better served by Mercedes's E-Class, leaving us unsure of whom this car is for. Then we remembered that more onlookers' heads swiveled as we rolled by in our CLS than any other car we've driven in a while. Surely there are at least 12,000 people who care about that.
Write to Jonathan Welsh at jonathan.welsh@wsj.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice to Readers: Jonathan Welsh answers readers' questions about automobiles in "Me and My Car," a column appearing in Wednesday's Personal Journal. E-mail questions to mecar@wsj.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Performance Anxiety
Here's how the Mercedes-Benz CLS500 compares with other stylish luxury coupes.
MAKE/MODEL BASE PRICE ENGINE/HORSEPOWER ACCELERATION 0-60 MPH (SEC.) WEIGHT (POUNDS) EPA MILEAGE (CITY/HWY)
Mercedes-Benz CLS500 $64,900 V8/302 5.9 4,050 16/22
BMW 645Ci $69,900 V8/325 5.5 3,781 17/25
Lexus SC 430 $63,575 V8/300 5.9 3,840 18/23
Jaguar XK8 $69,330 V8/294 6.5 3,779 18/26
Bentley Continental GT $155,990 12-cyl./552 4.4 5,247 11/18
Backseat Driver
Here's what we liked -- and didn't -- about Mercedes-Benz CLS500.
What Works What Doesn't
The Outside Long, low-slung body has a curved, arched-back shape that makes the big car look athletic. Stick with darker colors. We saw a white CLS on the street and found it looking surprisingly lumpy.
The Inside Dashboard is more modern-looking and less fussy than in other Mercedes cars. We even like the wood. Sculpted rear seats, with a veneered console between them, look great until you try to sit.
Under the Hood Smooth V8 engine's 302 horses drive the two-ton car to 60 mph in under six seconds without strain. Aging motor has powered Mercedes cars since the late 1990s and now lags behind some rivals' power.
Behind the Wheel Ride is a nice balance between cushy on the highway and firm on twisty roads. We're still not wild about the tiny, distracting buttons that control navigation and radio.
Over the Top Seven-speed automatic transmission adapts electronically to varying driving styles. Steering-wheel clutter. Are we the only ones turned off by so many buttons on the wheel?
