Friday, June 10, 2005
Mercedes-Benz CLS3509
AS a piece of automotive sculpture, things really don’t get much better than this. Mercedes-Benz’s CLS is a saloon masquerading as a coupe... or is that a coupe masquerading as a saloon?
Either way, it’s a stunning car and, more importantly, one which really stands out. In the middle are four conventional doors, albeit with coupe-like shallow glass areas and a dramatically curved roofline. Car rental uk.
But it’s at the back where things really get interesting. The rear slopes away from the roofline into an angular boot area, while at the front are a pair of aggressive-looking headlights which shroud the traditional Mercedes-Benz grille and its centrally-mounted three-pointed star.
It’s a major move away from the current family look and it presents executives with a new avenue if they want to add some flair to their next set of company wheels.
For businessmen right at the top of the corporate ladder, there are two V8 models – the CLS500 and 55 AMG, but for those who are still on the climb the CLS350 tested here has all the style of its bigger brothers but with less pace and some less gut-wrenching costs.
At a smidgen over £43,000 on-the-road, the entry-level CLS has pretty much every bit of kit you could possibly want, although leather seats are a noticeable omission – and a £1,100 option. Car rental uk.
Power comes from a 272bhp 3.5-litre V6 engine coupled to 7G-Tronic, the world’s first seven-speed automatic gearbox.
The CLS doesn’t feel as quick as its on-paper performance claims, with the V6 really needing plenty of revs to get it going. But once cruising speed is reached the CLS changes character as it settles into a relaxed gait to cover miles with stylish ease.
This is a car you want to be seen in, so it makes no sense to drive too quickly. Rather like a shark stalking its prey, it’s best to approach other cars on motorways in a stealthy manner, let them take in the design details (the way the front arc of the wheel arch extends into a swage line which runs all the way to the rear lights is my favourite) as you cruise past and then disappear.
No car I’ve driven in recent months has received quite as many quizzical glances from other road users, so the CLS is certainly a car which you feel special driving.
As long as you love attention, this car is for you – shy types need not apply. Car rental uk.
And there aren’t going to be that many on the road either. Mercedes-Benz plans to sell just 2,500 this year and 4,000 in 2006, with about 20% going to fleets (although that’s not including purchases made by company directors with their own cash). Of that figure, 65% will be the 350 model, with the 500 taking 30%
Either way, it’s a stunning car and, more importantly, one which really stands out. In the middle are four conventional doors, albeit with coupe-like shallow glass areas and a dramatically curved roofline. Car rental uk.
But it’s at the back where things really get interesting. The rear slopes away from the roofline into an angular boot area, while at the front are a pair of aggressive-looking headlights which shroud the traditional Mercedes-Benz grille and its centrally-mounted three-pointed star.
It’s a major move away from the current family look and it presents executives with a new avenue if they want to add some flair to their next set of company wheels.
For businessmen right at the top of the corporate ladder, there are two V8 models – the CLS500 and 55 AMG, but for those who are still on the climb the CLS350 tested here has all the style of its bigger brothers but with less pace and some less gut-wrenching costs.
At a smidgen over £43,000 on-the-road, the entry-level CLS has pretty much every bit of kit you could possibly want, although leather seats are a noticeable omission – and a £1,100 option. Car rental uk.
Power comes from a 272bhp 3.5-litre V6 engine coupled to 7G-Tronic, the world’s first seven-speed automatic gearbox.
The CLS doesn’t feel as quick as its on-paper performance claims, with the V6 really needing plenty of revs to get it going. But once cruising speed is reached the CLS changes character as it settles into a relaxed gait to cover miles with stylish ease.
This is a car you want to be seen in, so it makes no sense to drive too quickly. Rather like a shark stalking its prey, it’s best to approach other cars on motorways in a stealthy manner, let them take in the design details (the way the front arc of the wheel arch extends into a swage line which runs all the way to the rear lights is my favourite) as you cruise past and then disappear.
No car I’ve driven in recent months has received quite as many quizzical glances from other road users, so the CLS is certainly a car which you feel special driving.
As long as you love attention, this car is for you – shy types need not apply. Car rental uk.
And there aren’t going to be that many on the road either. Mercedes-Benz plans to sell just 2,500 this year and 4,000 in 2006, with about 20% going to fleets (although that’s not including purchases made by company directors with their own cash). Of that figure, 65% will be the 350 model, with the 500 taking 30%
# posted by Liz Laurie @ 3:36 AM 
