Mercedes-Benz CLS 2005 Review

Built on a Benz E-Class platform and sharing many of that vehicles DNA, the CLS is a (big) step up in style terms.

Moving well away from a conservative four- door sedan mould, the CLS cuts a suave profile replete with a low roofline, high waist and small, some might say sinister window apertures. The front is generic Benz highlighted by a wide squat stance while the hunched rear quarters have a familiar look characterized by bold style lines from the designer.

Think about it for a minute. If you have the funds for an E-Class but don't want to meld into the crowd, what do you do... go for the CLS albeit at a premium, but worth it for someone with a refined aesthetic eye.

Benz Australia reckons there are up to 500 potential customers a year for the CLS.

It has a longer wheelbase and wider track than the E-Class and is longer in the body and there are four individual bucket seats.

Rear headroom is an issue for anyone over 183cm especially with the front seats back on the runners.

It has ample creature comforts and bristles with safety equipment including ESP and multiple airbags. The boot is large and the spare is full size.

Faux woodgrain gives away the target age of buyers. It looks out of place and outdated in such a sexy piece of kit.

The car definitely puts more passion in the medium large prestige segment and pretty well has a niche unto itself.

Three models will be offered: at under $140 grand the CLS350 with a 200kW V6 lifted from the new SLK and E350, at $173,900 the CLS500 V8 with 225kW engine and at $247,900, the heavy hitting CLS55 AMG with a 350kW, supercharged 5.4-litre V8.

The first two have a seven speed automatic transmission while the AMG model has a five speeder.

Drive is to the rear wheels through various dynamic moderators and electronic systems designed to make the car behave and also feel good to drive.

The air suspension is superb offering the best of both worlds in a choice of three settings. It is aided by a new four link front suspension and massive tyres that range up to 18in diameter and carry premium rubber.

Peripherals are all first rate: bi-xenon headlights, auto windscreen wipers and head- lights, side illumination lights, park distance control and gear change buttons on the steering wheel.

On a searching drive of the glamorous new Benz, the car proved up to expectations with wonderful performance and handling for something this size and weight. The 500 is strong and silent, the AMG is a bellowing brute capable of staying with highly fancied sports cars.

Interior room is not expansive but fits like a glove and the drive experience is satisfying. Its difficult to put a wheel out of place and the ride is comfortable even in sport mode.

The AMG car is like the 500 times a factor of two.

It'd want to be good for the price.

One thing that really stood out was the fact that you can drive a car like this for 500km in one go and get out as fresh as when you set out. And the audio is brilliant.

Mercedes-Benz has made a bold statement with the CLS and should reap the benefit. In the meantime, everyone else will be in catch-up mode.