Stuttgart - More than a quarter of
a million readers and a top-class jury comprising 40 automotive experts
and prominent figures have voted the new
Mercedes-Benz CLS the best new
product in the executive and luxury class segment. As a result, "Bild
am Sonntag", "Auto Bild" and 26 associated European publications have
awarded the new four-door coupé model the "Golden Steering Wheel" - one
of the most important automotive awards in Europe. This coveted award
was officially presented to Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of Daimler AG
and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Cars, in Berlin yesterday evening.
Ten new products in the executive and luxury
class were put to the extensive reader vote for the "Golden Steering
Wheel", which was announced across the whole of Europe. The jury for the
"Golden Steering Wheel" is the largest and most international in the
world. In the first round, readers of "Auto Bild", "Bild am Sonntag" and
26 European "Auto Bild" sister publications cast votes for their
favourites. From Finland to Spain, and from England to Estonia, some 40
million readers decided which cars were worthy of winning the golden
trophies. In the executive and luxury class, the Audi A7, BMW 5 Series,
Mercedes-Benz CLS, Suzuki Kizashi and Volvo S 60 made it into the final.
At the beginning of October, no less than 40 testers then put the
vehicles through their paces on a test track in Balocco (Italy) over a
period of three days. This is where the new Mercedes-Benz CLS emerged
victorious to bring the "Golden Steering Wheel" back to Stuttgart for
the 19th time.
With the CLS, Mercedes-Benz created a new vehicle
category in 2003 which for the first time combined the elegance and
dynamism of a coupé with the comfort and functionality of a saloon. The
customers were delighted, the competition taken aback: for many years
the CLS remained the only four-door coupé in its class.
The new CLS builds on the pioneering role of its
predecessor yet at the same time is an entirely new edition. What
immediately strikes the eye is the innovative front design, which is
reminiscent of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. In addition, the CLS is the
first passenger car in the world to offer LED High Performance headlamps
as an option, which combine the exciting colour elements of LED
technology - similar to those of daylight - with the performance,
functionality and energy efficiency of today's bi-xenon generation. For
the first time ever, this new light system provides the Intelligent
Light System already proven in Mercedes models fitted with bi-xenon
headlamps in combination with LED technology.
Viewed from the side, the typical CLS outline,
with its elegantly long proportions, is the dominating feature. The
front edge of the structure above the wings slopes off towards the rear.
This design feature, called the dropping line by
designers, represents a new interpretation of a formal design element
harking back to the uniquely rich wealth of forms present in historic
Mercedes sports cars. A distinctive and muscular sports car-like
shoulder line above the rear axle highlights the athletic character of
the new CLS.
Performance: efficiency at the highest
level
Efficiency at the highest level: this is the
common characteristic shared by all four engines used in the new CLS.
All of the engines feature increased performance and torque compared
with previous models, while at the same time boasting a level of fuel
consumption which has been significantly reduced by up
to 25 percent. At the time of the European market launch in
January 2011, two six-cylinder models will initially be available: the
CLS 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY producing 195 kW (265 hp),
and the CLS 350 BlueEFFICIENCY producing 225 kW (306
hp) and also featuring an ECO start/stop function.
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. In addition, the bonnet, front wings, boot lid, parcel
shelf, various support sections as well as major parts of the chassis
and engine are all made from aluminium too.
Aerodynamics also make an important contribution
to the outstanding efficiency of the Mercedes-Benz CLS. It has been
possible to reduce wind resistance by up to ten percent. This is thanks
to the Cd value of 0.26, which has been improved by 13
percent.
Supreme driving dynamics coupled with
superlative ride comfort on long journeys
Making its world premiere in the new CLS is the
vehicle's electromechanical Direct-Steer system. This
pioneering innovation is a radical step forward in the relationship
between driver, car and road. This is because for the first time
engineers have the freedom to freely choose and program a wide variety
of parameters which can influence steering perception. More than a dozen
driving assistance systems on the new CLS help to prevent traffic
accidents and reduce the severity of an accident. The Active Blind Spot
Assist and the Active Lane Keeping Assist are new.
Source:
http://media.daimler.com/dcmedia/0-921-1187567-1-1344807-1-0-0-0-0-1-11817-854934-0-1-0-0-0-0-0.html?TS=1289398859880
