MBWorld Editor

Check out today's homepage article with photos of the new 2012 CLS550. What do you think? Do you like the new muscular lines?

Bayou Benz

It is nice except for the hard line, the rear of the hood onto the windshield. Everything else flows very smooth and transitional..JMHO!

dfz

It looks like it had a seriously butchered nose job. And what happened to the curved door frame of the old CLS? That was a major distinct point of styling with the CLS.. now there's nothing that makes it stand out, other than the odd styling.

kalortpor

They couldn't play it safe and would be criticized if they did, especially with CLS-style imitators like Hyundai Sonata....I think it looks enough like the old car, yet refined to progress the design forward. As I've said before, practically every car now has the downward-sloping body character line, and it was time to do something different with the multiple creases and upward-sloping lines.

I would characterize the new look as "chiseled" and in line with the current design language started with the SLS. The car looks sleek, aggressive and different, and from what we can tell, the new S will continue these trends.

Centurion

Yup, design cues started with the SLS, carried over into this CLS, and further confirmed with the release of the new SLK.
This direction Mercedes Benz is going with their vehicles is great.

That's just the exterior.
If you haven't seen the inside of the new CLS, I suggest you stop by the local dealership. It's beautiful and tastefully done. The door panels and center console are pure class.

dfz

I've just seen the interior of the new CLS, it's pretty nice but in some ways it feels BMW-ish. At least they didn't completely botch it like the current C-class.. how they managed to make the C look (and feel in some areas) like a Chrysler is beyond me.. the previous C class had much better and luxuriously interior.

True, everything these days seems to be copying the old CLS's coupe lines, I suppose they had to change it so MB wouldn't get accused of imitating a hyundai. I for one am not thrilled with the SLS style, the nose and front grill are just too in-your-face, it's missing that refined subtlety of the SL and SLR.. it almost looks like it's trying to stick out or show off like a Dodge Viper. And that equivalent styling carried over to the SLK.. I'm sorry but it just doesn't work, it makes the SLK look like a bull dog to me.

But the new MB styling on the E class makes those cars look pretty bad *** especially with the AMG body kit. I had many friends tell me they would never buy an E class because it looked like a late-middle age car, but now with the current style they're changing their minds. The S class though, I get the feeling like it can't decide if it wants to be a CLS or an E, at least from the outside. The new CL on the other hand is beautiful, can't wait to get one off lease..!

albertchampion

please come back bruno.

since you left, nothing benz manufactures is as elegant. as smooth.

just contrast the 215 coupes with the 216's.

and i think the same could be said for every other vehicle designed since bruno's retirement.

jerryb2339

At first I don't think I liked the less sleek look - but now I'm thinking that it is preferable....more muscular somehow looks better to me now

jerryb2339

By the way, this morning I just ordered a new C Class AMG. My insurance man is having a fit....but my wife doesn't know the difference (whew!)

ppilot

When I saw the CLS concept and then the original 2006 I had to have one. I call it a styling exercise, pure simple elegant style. Then I traded the 2006 for a 2007 with the new 550 motor and nonj-electric brakes.
For 2012 Mercedes botched a beautiful car into an incoherent collection of styling ideas. The taillights are nice but the once smooth elegant roof-line disappears and the eye is drawn to the sculpted body panels that lead in all different directions.
The 2012 is a disappointment but think of the money I'm saving by it not being a "must have" car.
Finally...I sure wish Mercedes had some other colors...boring and the same over and over every year. And that goes double for the same old interiors. I have spoken.

dtwalkerfl

Looks like I will hang on to my 2010 CLS550 for a while longer. This does not inspire like the 4 door coupe did.

jerryb2339

I do agree re the colors. I wanted something with a little more oomph with my C63, but Mars Red is too....RED. So I ended up with palladium. kind of disappointing.

silvermachine

I think Mercedes have made the same mistake Audi made with the TT. They have taken a cohesive design that works and tweaked it because they felt they had to.
Sorry the new style doesn't work for me.

tmilsom

I was lucky to get the last 2011 in Eastern Canada when they went on sale as the Avant Garde edition. To me, the original has such beautiful lines...and just so many other classics (Jag XKE) they have to mess with it. I'm not a fan of the muscular look- there's plenty of that here in N. America.

I also agree with the comment re: colours. Is it conservatism or a money saver?

skyjar

Looks good, got to test one, but i agree that the previous swooping body lines were better, sexy. the new interior fixed some of the mistakes but lost the luxury meets sporty look. (kinda went BMW-ish). I am now torn because i LOVE my CLS AMG but hesitent to go newer...aaargh

erifly

It really didn't lose its roof lines(if so, very minor). If you see it in person you will see this. It's more so the windows got larger and lost that "tank" feel and makes it appear that way. The car has def. gotten beefier making it appear more sedan-like now. I am in LOVE with it and can't wait to get one.

mell0121

I sure do !!!

ccharlied

When I joined this forum I had a 2011 Ml-350. Had too many issues and decided it was not the vehicle I really wanted. So I traded in the ML and purchased a 2012 CLS550 on August 6th. It was one of only two Storm Red with black interior in the country at the time and I did not want to wait and order one.
Anyhow, this car drives great. Sounds good, handles good, feels good, has nice power and gets a lot of looks because it really is a beautifull car. I did have to change those crummy Pirelli P Zero tires out. They sounded loud and rode very harsh. Unfortunately the Michelin Pilot Super Sports ( my preference and the best tire I think for this car) did not come in the rear size for the 19" wheels that this CLS came with. I could have changed out the wheels and tires to 18" but did not feel like spending about $2800.00 to do it. I did spend $1200.00 to put on the next best tire which was the Conti Extreme Contact DW. The Conti DWS rear size was also not available until Late December. The car does ride quieter and softer, worth the money!
I am starting a cross country trip next week from Naples, Fla. to California (Big Sur) and back a total of approx. 6000 miles. Will take about 4-5 weeks.
Maybe the forum might like some input on how the car performs up in the mountains and along the twisty Pacific Coast Highway.

ob1canobe

Not really, I fell in love with my 2007 sunset red nappa interior CLS 550 the moment I saw it and am still in love to the point that I've two-toned it so the burgandy interior now carries through the lower exterior section with the factory black on top, 20' Nechi Euro staggard wheels and very selective pinstripping.
Also, looking into ten year/100,000 mile warranty in the hope of keeping it that long!
Pictures of it are some where on MBWorld?

K-A

I have a hot/cold relationship with the new CLS. Overall, I really like it, but I feel like the incoherency and odd haphazard design elements keep me from loving it fully, so far at least (it only takes that one moment when you might finally see a design in a certain element and "get it").

But I agree in that the design is a mess, namely from the side profile. It just doesn't flow right.

boschk

IMHO, the new body style is not an improvement over the previous. I'm sure it's a fine car and improved as a driver, but aesthetically, it's not cutting it for me.

FinstP

Everyone to their own opinion.
I loved the old shape the minute I saw it and had to have one. I'm afraid MB have destroyed a thing of beauty, the new model is a complete mess. I won't be changing.