Mercedes-Benz unveils environment-friendly petrol private car

The CLS 350 BlueEFFICIENCY is the first Mercedes-Benz model to be approved by the Hong Kong Government as the Environment-friendly Petrol Private Car.

According to Mercedes-Benz, customers can enjoy up to $50,000 tax incentive due to this certification.

Dr. Claus Weidner, Chief Operating Officer of Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Limited says “With its exciting design and refined sportiness, the new edition of the CLS also benefits from the fact that we are a whole generation ahead of the competition with our four-door Coupé.”

The exterior

The new CLS continues with the pioneering role of its predecessor. What immediately strikes the eye is the front design. Visually, the radiator grille is not integrated into the bonnet but is formed separately. This highlights the long, sporty bonnet even further. The grille is dominated by the large central star.

The typical CLS outline, with its elegantly long proportions, is the dominating attribute of the new model. The effect of the dynamic, athletic form has been enhanced with a new interplay of lines and areas. The front edge of the structure above the wings slopes off towards the rear. A distinctive and muscular sports car-like shoulder line above the rear axle highlights the athletic character of the new CLS.

The interior

An eye-catching feature is the wrap-around effect of the cockpit: a high line sweeps from the driver's door over the instrument panel support and across to the front passenger door.

The CLS also exudes sportiness with its trim elements which can be found on the instrument panel support, the centre console and parts of the door trim.

LED High Performance headlamps

The CLS is the first passenger car in the world to offer LED High Performance headlamps, which combine the colour elements of LED technology - similar to those of daytime running lamps - with the performance, functionality and energy efficiency of today's bi-xenon generation. This new light system provides the Intelligent Light System already proven in Mercedes models fitted with bi-xenon headlamps in combination with LED technology. The headlamps, with their 71 LED lamps in total, serve to underline the unmistakable appearance of the CLS. The light specialists from Mercedes-Benz have for the first time been able to use LED technology in the Adaptive Highbeam Assist, resulting in a level of safety for night-time driving.

The engines: higher output, yet up to 25 percent lower fuel consumption

The output and torque of each engine is greater than in its predecessor; at the same time, fuel consumption has been drastically reduced, by up to 25 percent. The 6-cylinder model CLS 350 BlueEFFICIENCY has an output of 225 kW (306 hp) and the CLS 500, with a V8 engine, at 300 kW (408 hp). Both models have the ECO start/stop function as standard.

Lightweight construction and aerodynamics important contributions to efficiency

Intelligent lightweight construction plays a decisive role in bridging the classic conflict of objectives between low weight and high strength in the new CLS. The CLS is thus the first vehicle from Mercedes-Benz to have frameless, all-aluminium doors. Apart from the doors, the bonnet, front wings, boot lid, parcel shelf, various support profiles and substantial parts of the suspension and engines are all made of aluminium.

Aerodynamics plays an important part in the outstanding efficiency of the Mercedes-Benz CLS. Although the new model is wider than its predecessor and thus presents more frontal area to the wind, it was possible to reduce wind resistance by up to ten percent due to the Cd value of 0.26, which has been improved by 13 percent.

Electromechanical power steering

The electromechanical power steering system makes a new and radical contribution to the relationship between driver, car and road: engineers have been given the freedom to select and to program many of the parameters which influence the steering feel.

In addition, the steering system makes an important contribution to the CLS' overall efficiency: as the steering support system only uses energy when the vehicle is actually being steered, fuel consumption is cut by up to 0.3 litres/7 g of CO2 compared to the previous model.

Active parking assist

The driving assistance systems on the new CLS help to prevent traffic accidents and reduce the severity of an accident. Using the side-mounted ultrasonic sensors, this system identifies suitable parking spaces on both sides of the road in passing, then informs the driver by means of a display.