Mercedes-Benz CLS 300 D

Mercedes-Benz likens its new four-door coupe to art. True?

- Tuhin Guha

Art. It’s so subjective. And consequently both enigmatic and debatable. A masterpiece to you could easily be little more than an inanimate object to me. But you happen to be reading OVERDRIVE which makes me think that you appreciate your cars. You may even like them enough to think of them as more than just machines. You may even think of them as marvels of engineering and design. Sometimes, with a few special ones, you might even admire them enough to call them art. This is exactly the feeling Mercedes-Benz wants to evoke in you when you see their new CLS.

Design

The CLS’ association with art becomes immediately apparent here. The first-generation CLS pioneered this body style and there have been numerous imitations since. While that car shocked with its sweeps and curves, the third generation car is spectacular in its restraint. It gets the long bonnet and short rear overhang design theme spot on.

The angular LED headlamps, the big 3D grille and the slight inward slant of the front give the car a look of restrained aggression. This is complemented by the wide two-part LED tail lamps and the slightly up swept boot lid. We only wish the grille was not all-plastic and had more than just a simple bar of chrome running through it.

The side profile’s biggest attraction is the sloped roof. This and the wide haunches just below the glass area means that the CLS achieves more with just surfacing than what many achieve with complex design languages. The 18-inch silver alloys on this car had a very simple design, we would pick the other matte black option that Mercedes provides.

Interiors, features and safety