The 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class will have a bevy of “driver assistance” features. The 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 is shown here.

Consumer Guide’s Impressions of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

With its E-Class parent just redesigned, this “4-door coupe” gets its own makeover and the same new “driver assistance” features. But, the next CLS-Class won’t seem as startling as the first-generation model did–and it faces stiff competition.

What We Know About the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

Mercedes-Benz has redesigned its E-Class sedans for a U.S. sales kickoff this summer as early 2010 models, so a new version of the related CLS-Class can’t be far off, right? Well, yes and no. The pioneering “4-door coupe” is getting its own stem-to-stern makeover, but it probably won’t reach North America until early 2011 as a 2012 entry.

The CLS-Class bowed in 2004 as a costlier, sexier take on the mainstream E-class premium-midsize sedan that remains one of Mercedes’ most profitable products. Confounding some in the automotive media, but proving again that styling always sells, the CLS-Class has been a hit with well-heeled fashionistas, exceeding Mercedes’ initial sales estimates by no less than 40 percent. Never mind that this is a “niche” model even by Mercedes’ standards, with fewer than 150,000 delivered in the roughly four years through the end of 2008. Every CLS-Class sale is valuable “plus business” that the famed German brand would have otherwise missed.

Not surprisingly, the CLS-Class formula has inspired other bucks-up coupe-style 4-doors such as BMW’s X6 quasi-SUV, the 2010 Porsche Panamera, the 2010 Aston Martin Rapide, and 2011 Audi A7. Even Volkswagen has joined in with a “junior CLS-Class,” the 2009 CC sedan.

So how does the original get back ahead of this pack? Mainly, sources say, with a bevy of “driver assistance” features borrowed from the latest E-Class and S-Class premium-large sedans, plus fresh styling. At least, that’s the plan.

From what we can tell, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class will see fractional gains in length, width and wheelbase versus today’s car–no surprise, seeing that the 2010 E-Class is little larger than the sedan it replaces. Overall height should come down a half-inch or so, while curb weight is likely to go up by at least 140 pounds.

Equally unsurprising, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class will share many visual elements with the latest E-Class and S-Class. That means bulging wheelarches, “eyebrow” creases above the rear wheels, a rising bodyside character line, a slightly higher hood (to meet European pedestrian-safety rules), and a more-upright grille flanked by four squarish headlamps instead of twin “hockey-stick” clusters. The roofline remains a graceful arc, but a lower, more-horizontal beltline tones down the familiar “banana” profile while allowing taller side windows that should make for an airier cabin with better visibility. Speaking of the interior, the new CLS-Class reportedly mimics current models in having its own dashboard and door panels, plus mandatory four-passenger seating, higher-grade materials, and a unique palette of colors and finishes.

For North America, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class reportedly reprises the current 5.5-liter and high-performance 6.2-liter AMG V8 engines. Given today’s dire economy, however, we think Mercedes’ 3.5-liter V6 will show up in a lower-priced CLS350 model that’s been available in Europe but not here. A 7-speed automatic remains the only transmission, but its console-mount shift lever is replaced by a small steering-column wand, as on the S-Class and 2010 E-Class. Incidentally, Mercedes is rolling out a new family of 4-cylinder, V6 and V8 gasoline engines with efficiency-enhancing direct fuel injection, but they are not coming here for the time being, reportedly because they’re incompatible with higher-sulfur North American fuel. Maybe by 2013, though. What about a diesel? That’s always a possibility for a new Mercedes, but we doubt the image-conscious CLS-Class will offer one in America, though you never can tell.

Like the newest E-Class, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class will stay with three-link front and multilink rear suspensions, but the V6 version should sport adaptive shock absorbers that automatically adjust firmness to match road surface and driving style. V8 versions should retain a standard air suspension that functions in much the same way. All models get larger 4-wheel ABS disc brakes that again serve an included antiskid system with traction control. Mercedes’ Distronic adaptive cruise control will return, perhaps newly standard, but with the addition of a “Brake Assist Plus” function that uses the system’s radar sensors to detect an imminent frontal crash and optimize stopping power accordingly.

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class will naturally share most other new-E-class features, but some sedan options may be standard in line with higher “coupe” prices. Though the menus have yet to be decided, all models will certainly carry a full complement of airbags, including a newly added driver’s knee cushion. Other encore standards include a navigation system, multiadjustable power front seats, 4-zone automatic climate control, and Mercedes’ TeleAid assistance service. The max-muscle CLS63 should reprise a sport-tuned suspension, uprated brakes, 19-inch wheels instead of 18s or 17s, multicontour seats, and unique trim. As for all the new stuff, that’s detailed under “Notable Feature” below.

Instead of a gearshift, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class will have a steering-column-mounted shifter wand like the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, shown here.

In all, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS strikes us as a logical next step for a successful product and nicely timed to steal thunder from copycat competitors. The only question is, does the redesign go far enough? After all, the original CLS-Class was unique back in the day, but the new one won’t be, and that could dilute both its market impact and sales potential. And let’s not forget the new E-Class two-door coupes, which amount to in-house rivals. At least Mercedes is covering all the bases.

A Notable Feature of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class is sure to offer most all the new safety-focused systems available in the latest Euro-market E-Class and big S-Class sedans, provided U.S. lawyers approve. Start with steering-linked bi-xenon headlamps that now include Adaptive Highbeam Assist. This not only selects high and low beams as needed but can vary headlight intensity to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers, based on ambient-light signals from a windshield-mounted camera. Speed Limit Assist uses a camera to read roadside warning signs and flash visual alerts on a gauge-cluster info screen. Lane Keeping Assist is designed to monitor lane position and to vibrate the steering wheel if the driver strays outside the lines.

Then there’s Attention Assist, which uses various sensors to monitor steering-wheel movement, lateral acceleration, speed, braking frequency and over 60 other parameters between roughly 50 and 110 mph. The system compiles a “driver profile” on starting-up, and compares that with subsequent sensor readings to determine a possibly drowsy driver. In the event, an alert sounds and the words “Attention Assist Break!” appear on the dashboard. If this seems a bit HAL 9000 creepy, Mercedes cites several studies showing that tired drivers are involved in more than a quarter of all serious accidents, so the idea is a good one in theory. We’ll be interested to see how it works in practice.

The next CLS-Class should also offer Mercedes’ Night View Assist, traffic-watcher Blind Spot Assist, and the company’s Pre-Safe system. The last is designed to detect an unavoidable frontal crash and, in the event, provide full automatic braking in addition to repositioning seats, cinching seatbelts and rolling up windows.

Last but not least, one British source says the redesigned CLS-Class will be newly available with Mercedes’ 4Matic all-wheel drive, as well as rear-wheel drive. This would probably be limited to the V6 CLS350 and V8 CLS550 models.

Buying Advice for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

If you like today’s CLS-Class, you’ll probably like the new one too. But the upcoming Audi A7 looks to be a very tempting alternative. It’s said to be a dead-ringer for the gorgeous Sportback Concept unveiled at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, which means hatchback convenience that the CLS-Class lacks, plus standard all-wheel drive. There’s also talk of a four-door A7 convertible as another trump to the glamour-puss Mercedes. Other sexy-sedan alternatives are the above-mentioned 2010 Porsche Panamera and 2010 Aston Martin Rapide, which are hatchbacks too, and likely to cost a good deal more than a comparable next-gen CLS-Class. Of course, all these are expensive cars that sell chiefly on emotion in normal times. But these are hardly normal times, so “value” could be more important to sales even in the elite market. Alas, we don’t have final prices for any of them yet, but it will be interesting to see how they fall out and how buyers respond.

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Release Date: As noted, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class will likely start U.S. sale in late 2010, probably in the third or fourth quarter. The car is expected to make its European debut at the late-2010 Paris Auto Show.

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class First Test Drive: Mercedes isn’t talking yet, but we’d look for a worldwide press launch in the fourth quarter of 2010, followed by U.S. media previews.

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Prices: The global economy is now so turbulent and uncertain that it’s tough to peg future-car prices with any accuracy. Nonetheless, and all things considered, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class should run a few thousand bucks more than comparable current models. We’d guess the 2012 CLS550 will start around $75,000 and the hot-rod CLS63 AMG at just under $100K, with a possible “price-leader” V6 CLS350 in the region of $65,000.

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class will have taller side windows and better rearward visibility than the current CLS-Class, shown here.

For more inside information on hundreds of new cars of today and tomorrow, check out:

• Consumer Guide New Car Reviews and Prices: Road test results, photos, specifications, and prices for hundreds of new cars, trucks, minivans, and SUVs from the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide.
• Mercedes-Benz: Read Consumer Guide’s full reports, including ratings, prices, specifications, and fuel economy.
• Premium Midsize Cars: The 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class will compete in the premium midsize car class. Here’s Consumer Guide’s roundup of all the premium midsize cars on sale today.
• 2009 Consumer Guide Best Buy and Recommended Award Winners: Check out which cars won our Best Buy and Recommended awards for 2009.
• Future Cars: Step into the automotive showroom of tomorrow with reviews, analysis, pictures, prices, and preliminary specifications on scores of vehicles that will be appearing next year and beyond.

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