A visual refresh for the 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class also sees the four-door coupe adding a new engine and a new automatic transmission. The 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class goes on sale in the U.S. this fall.
The aesthetic changes begin with a new front fascia, a new chrome grille, LED headlights as standard, dark-tinted taillights, new wheels, and new paint colors. There are new color choices for the optional Designo leather upholstery, a larger infotainment screen now measuring eight inches, matte-chrome trim surround the infotainment system, and a new layout for the COMAND controls on the center console.
As to mechanicals, the 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class adds a CLS400 model, with a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 engine rated for 329 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. It will be offered both in rear-wheel-drive form and as an all-wheel-drive 4Matic model. Although no numbers have yet been announced, the new CLS400 should be more fuel efficient than the existing CLS550, which has a twin-turbo V-8 engine rated for 402 hp. Mercedes also claims the CLS400 will be the "price leader," meaning we can expect a sticker below the $73,025 starting price of today's CLS550.
The 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class also benefits from a new nine-speed automatic transmission -- the first nine-speed unit Mercedes has ever offered in a passenger vehicle. It will initially be offered only on the 2015 CLS550 rear-wheel-drive model, but Mercedes says the transmission should arrive on other versions of the CLS in due time.
Pricing and fuel economy ratings for the 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class will be announced at a later date. For now, Mercedes has not revealed any significant changes to the CLS550 4Matic or the CLS63 AMG.
