With the third generation CLS, Mercedes-Benz dials down the Purity but ramps up the Sensuality.
Having trudged through Mercedes-Benz’s predictably hyperbole-laden press release for the new CLS, the temptation to point both barrels feels overwhelming, but the author nevertheless promises to do his best. Instead, I’d like to reflect upon whether nu-CLS embodies a return to form for a model which perhaps did more to shift Mercedes-Benz’s image and median age than any single model over the past decade or so, or if indeed, its moment has passed.
From its inception in 2003, the original CLS was the epitome of the ephemeral. A fashion statement which (as the sales figures attested) quickly lost its allure. The overworked (W219) second iteration (introduced in 2010) saw the nameplate lose its lustre, while gaining a short-lived and somewhat pointless shooting brake version, so this new iteration sees Daimler revert to first principles.
But inconvenient truths are PR poison, Daimler clearly being of the view that given sufficient repetition one can bludgeon one’s audience to a bloodied pulp — the Stuttgart-Untertërkheim party line being the notion that the four-door coupe template was established in Sindelfingen, coupled with the idea that Mike Fink’s curiously flaccid silhouette has been elevated to iconic status.
But to ignore the press release completely is an impossibility, not when it contains gems like the following. “Like its predecessors, the new CLS exudes self-assured sportiness in exemplary style: a highly emotive vehicle offering impressive long-distance and acoustic comfort coupled with thrilling, unrivalled technology”. Well it’s hardly going to exude the introverted variety, is it? Surely Assertive Athleticism® would be more in their line? [My rates are quite modest by the way].
Anyway, back in the room: In 2015, Mercedes-Benz showed Concept IAA, an interesting, if polarising study in applied aerodynamics and surfacing. At the time, it was said to prefigure the next generation CLS and while it can to some extent be said that it has, one is left wondering if the result has been worth it. However, in Mercedes’ defence, nu-CLS’ claimed drag coefficient of 0.26 illustrates that perhaps the IAA concept taught them something.
Mercedes themselves appear to view the model as the beginning of a new era, saying “The new CLS pioneers the new design idiom of Mercedes-Benz, which is recognisable by its clear contours and reduced lines.” A statement which doesn’t strictly pass the credibility test, given the results of Sensual Purity® we have been privy to so far.
Robert Lesnik, Mercedes-Benz Director of Exterior Design told journalists last year, “we’re taking lines out of everything”. This is apparent both in last year’s C213 E-Class Coupe and the similarly formless looking AMG-GT saloon shown at Geneva earlier this year, so quite frankly, it would have been staggering if nu-CLS hadn’t followed a similar stylistic path. Clarification on the matter however, [and you probably saw this coming] emanates from an altogether higher plane.
Floating precisely 2.5 metres above ground level on a little white cloud of his own bloated self importance, Chief Design Officer Daimler A.G, Gorden Wagener said – (although to be strictly accurate, the Gorden no longer forms actual words, more impulses one feels through the soles of the feet) – “The new CLS is a design icon as the archetype of the four-door coupé. In line with our hot & cool© design philosophy, we have reduced its DNA to an extremely puristic level while emotionally charging it with an almost erotic beauty.”
Look, I tried. I really did. But ‘erotic beauty’? Dear heavens! But having involuntarily stumbled into the Blessed One’s boudoir, the nu-CLS press release takes matters further still.
“ENERGISING comfort control (optional) links various comfort systems in the vehicle. It systematically uses the functions of the climate control system (including fragrancing) and the heated seats, as well as lighting and musical atmospheres, and allows a specific wellness set-up tailored to the mood and need of the customer. As a result, well-being and performance levels are enhanced. These six programmes can be selected: Freshness, Warmth, Vitality, Joy, Comfort, Training (three training modes – muscle relaxation, muscle activation and balance – each with several exercises).” I’m not making this up, honestly.
But leaving ‘Sexy-Gorden’ to one side, let’s return to the question of whether nu-CLS marks a return to form or a point that simply no longer needs to be made? With the current E-Class saloon and coupe doing the numbers in an entirely satisfactory fashion on one hand and the forthcoming Panamera-baiting AMG four-seater model on the other, surely Mercedes-Benz have the bases covered?
Having squandered the not inconsiderable impact of the original with the rather ludicrous second generation, it’s not inconceivable that this could well be the CLS’ last hurrah. Why? Largely because it’s there appears to be too much model overlap here and the CLS for all its eroticism has become a somewhat blunt (ahem) tool.
One final observation: According to no greater an authority than his blessedness, nu-CLS represents Sensual Purity v3.0®, which follows his pronouncement earlier this year; “Form and body remain when creases and lines are reduced to the extreme.” Which got me wondering: if this is how we now define Sensual Purity, what could v4.0 possibly be? The answer quickly became obvious.
Remove the vowels and what you’re left with then is Snsl Prty. Yes I know it’s meaningless twaddle, but… well, I’ve done enough work here…
Driven To Write 
You have my deepest sympathy. Reading through all this marketing nonsense must be pure stress for the brain.
For me the first CLS always was one of the ugliest cars on the market. It looked like a flying banana with a pair of old socks for headlights.
Agreed: the first CLS looked bent due to the curved feature line. The detailing didn’t stand scrutiny either.
As I said before, Mr Wagener (and others) make a mistake by talking about the cars like art critics discussing a third party’s work. That’s why it sounds so absurd. If they used this formula: “we wanted the car to look more x so we did y which we believe will be seen this way”. That’s all. Anything to do with the perceptions of viewers are not for them to say.
Genius article. Sat in Costa for my pre-office wakener with years of laughter in my eyes attracting funny looks as I try to stop myself from laughing out loud at the ‘erotic beauty’ line. At least MB’s CDO is good for a few giggles.
As for the car itself, well, the side profile is now not so different from the E-Class, is it? The new frontal aspect is somehow sad-looking and the rear slightly knock-kneed. Shame, I actually thought the original had something different and looked mean as an AMG in black.
Great piece! They really do talk a lot of wind.
I was put in mind of Grayson Perry’s brilliant Reith Lectures of 2013 and his ridicule of ‘International Art English’:
“Normal English simply doesn’t contain enough nouns – so in International Art English global becomes globality, visual becomes visuality, potential becomes potentiality and experience becomes experiencability.”
Daimler’s cruel and unusual punishment of the English language isn’t confined to matters aesthetic. I was doing a bit of research on the new 3.0 litre straight-sixes and their media site describes the OM656 diesel as a “Majestic long-distance athlete”.
Disappointingly the petrol M256 – with a thumping 408bhp – is given the more prosaic epithet of “Fascinating 48 Volt drive”.
And as the generally wonderful Anthony ff-C wrote about CLS v.1 “mutton dressed as banana”.
Oh, he is a card, that fellow. Retirement must be looming for him. He seemed to be about 50 in 2001 when wrote for Car.
Has he retired? Will he?
Must he? Ronald Barker and George Bishop must both have been over 100 by the time they finished…