Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class 2005 Review

But they flow without contradiction to describe the latest addition to the Mercedes-Benz class structure which has finally arrived in Australia.

Welcome to the CLS Class.

The sleek coupe styling of the four-door sedan prompted its engineers to dub it the "Jag fighter" for its similarities to the swooping lines of the S Type. Here lies the emotion.

Its high hips and low brow line create an almost "chopped" 1950s hot-rod style roof that sits slit-eyed on arcs that bend all the way from front to back and leave a rear impression somewhere between an AU Falcon and an S Type.

DaimlerChrysler Australia general manager Horst von Sanden said the CLS continued a trend towards "emotional design".

"About 10 years ago, since we launched our new product range, emotion has become more important to us," he said.

"CLS is the most emotional car we have launched. It's an interpretation of Mercedes-Benz that we have not experienced before.

"Its design is recognition of other cars like Italian vehicles. But we wanted practicality and emotion."

The practical side is the four doors and generous dimensions; at least generous in coupe circles. The CLS concept was unveiled in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

"Some people criticised us saying it is impossible to mix coupe lines with a four-door sedan, but it only matters what our customers think. The huge number of forward orders shows that people are getting excited about the combination of sedan and coupe," von Sanden said.

Mercedes expects to sell about 400 cars this year and boasts that they have already received 190 orders, with some paying a deposit, and 70 already delivered last week.

After the launch in Cairns in the wet tropics last week, a CLS was left at the Ireland Mercedes-Benz dealership and two orders were written on the Saturday.

The CLS arrives as the V8 CLS 500 and the supercharged V8, the CLS55 AMG. A V6 CLS 350 will follow in a few months due to limited production volumes in Germany.

Mercedes expects to sell 65 per cent CLS 500 and 15 per cent CLS 350 this year, with the V6 doubling next year to 30 per cent while the AMG model will remain at 20 per cent.

"We have ordered all we can get," von Sanden said. "If customer expectation exceeds demand, we can get more next year. There are not many early orders for the 350."

Von Sanden said he expected 40 per cent of CLS buyers — mostly male, aged 45-55 — to be new to Mercedes, with customers coming from BMW, Audi and other European brands.

"Audi A6 has taken some sales from us, but the CLS will take them back," said von Sanden who sees competitors as the BMW 645i and 545i, Audi A6 and Jaguar S Type.

The new CLS is based on the E Class. It has the same wheelbase, but is lighter, longer, with a wider track and bigger wheels and tyres.

Inside, there is real burr walnut finishing and a now-familiar Benz chronometer-look instrumentation.

In standard trim, it is a technologically packed vehicle, but it can also be optioned up with features from the S Class.

For all its technological advances, there is nothing new about the CLS except for its stylish packaging.

It features air suspension (optional on the V6), seven-speed auto (in the 350 and 500), optional dynamic contour seating that modifies for G forces as well as massaging the back, plus many other devices already featured throughout the Benz range.

The AMG model has a five-speed transmission. The seven-speed is not needed because of its 700Nm of torque.

It is distinguished in the front by a wider grille to accommodate the extra air flow needed for a separate radiator underneath the main radiator which cools the supercharger hidden in the V of the block.

In the rear, it is easily identified by dual chrome tailpipes.

On the road, there is little noise or body roll and a general feeling of safety. Computerised intervention in drive and braking holds the car safely away from the dangerous cliffs in the hill climb behind Cairns.

An enthusiastic descent from those hills brought on the "Brakes overheated. Drive carefully" warning light on the instrument panel, yet there was no hint of brake fade. And as soon as we hit the sugarcane fields of the plains below, the brakes cooled and the warning disappeared.

The CLS 500 sports the lusty V8 from the S Class and SL Roadster. Power delivery is so linear, it dissipates the feeling of acceleration.

And compared with the supercharged AMG version, it almost feels as if it's standing still, especially when a CLS 55 roars past with those quad tailpipes crackling their fearsome roar.

On song, that roar is designed to echo throughout the cabin with a joyous chorus, but at cruising speed, it becomes subdued and unintrusive, while the air suspension drops 15mm to hug the road tight.

The taut chassis and body is constructed with lightweight, high-strength steel and aluminium, with front and rear sections bolted on, rather than welded, for ease of replacement in a crash.

Aluminium "crash boxes" front and rear absorb impact and are simply thrown away and replaced, reducing costs of repair.