2022 Mercedes-AMG CLS price and features: Audi S7 and BMW M550i rival scores ultra-limited special edition

Mercedes-Benz Australia has rationalised its CLS line-up, discontinuing the CLS450 grade to offer just the AMG CLS53 in facelifted form from 2022 onwards.

Priced from $183,600 before on-road costs, the 2022 CLS53 is actually cheaper than the outgoing model by $5377, but buyers can also opt for one of only 20 Limited Edition grades for $197,600.

Like before, the CLS53 is powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder petrol engine, outputting 320kW/520Nm to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission.

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With a 48-volt mild-hybrid starter-generator set-up that serves up to 16kW/250Nm from take-off, the CLS53 can accelerate from zero-to-100km/h in just 4.5 seconds.

Due to land in local showrooms before year’s end, the new CLS53 wears new front and rear bumpers, as well as redesigned alloy wheels.

The AMG Night Package is standard for the Australian market, meaning gloss black accents on the window surrounds and exterior mirror housings, as well as 20-inch lightweight wheels and a blacked-out rear diffuser.

The CLS53 also now features AMG’s signature Panamericana design, while inside the model is updated with the MBUX multimedia system on the inside.

Like its E-Class sibling, the CLS’ multimedia screen measures 12.3 inches, which is sat next to a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

As with all MBUX systems, the one found ion the CLS can be controlled via a touchpad, steering wheel controls, touchscreen or through voice commands, and features on this model include digital radio, satellite navigation, wireless smartphone charger and 13-speaker Burmester sound system.

Other standard equipment includes electronically adjustable front seats, heated front seats, Nappa leather interior, 64-colour interior ambient lighting and woodgrain trim.

For safety, the CLS53 comes with a surround-view monitor, lane-keep assist, and front and rear parking sensors.

Stepping up to the Limited Edition variant, only 299 of which will be produced worldwide, nabs buyers extra AMG goodies like a Dinamica-accented performance steering wheel, AMG Dynamic Plus package with drift mode, soft-closing doors, two-tone Nappa leather interior, bespoke car cover, red seat belt, carbon-fibre interior trim, and more.

The current generation CLS range was launched in mid-2018 with the CLS450 before the CLS350 and AMG CLS53 hit showrooms later that year.

However, the CLS350 was discontinued in 2020.

2022 Mercedes-AMG CLS pricing before on-road costs