Mercedes has saved exterior design adjustments restricted to a brand new entrance bumper with bigger intakes and a chrome splitter, plus a newly discovered piece of chrome trim strip for the rear valance, above a black rear diffuser. There are additionally two new 19-inch alloy wheel designs to select from – a 5 spoke wheel and a ten spoke. 

AMG Line fashions get a sportier makeover, which features a bigger entrance splitter, deeper facet skirts, a spoiler for the boot lid and a brand new radiator grille. The usual alloy wheels are additionally swapped for a set of AMG-branded 20-inch items, accessible in two colors. 

Inside, the most important change is the adoption of a brand new nappa leather-based trimmed multifunction steering wheel, geared up with the identical capacitive know-how discovered on the just lately revised E-Class saloon and the all-new C-Class. The up to date sensor know-how signifies that the driving force now not wants to put steering enter via the wheel to let the automotive’s semi-autonomous techniques know they’re in management – merely having fingers gripping the wheel is sufficient.

Alongside the up to date steering wheel, the CLS is now accessible with an up to date vary of inside trims. The mix of fabric and leather-based upholstery now features a centre console in open-pore brown walnut or high-gloss gray wooden. Leather-based upholstery choices have been expanded to incorporate a brand new two-tone gray choice and a black and brown mixture. 

Particular trim choices from Merc’s Designo catalogue have elevated in quantity, giving patrons entry to 5 new two-tone nappa leather-based upholstery finishes and new exterior paint finishes, together with cashmere White Magno, Emerald Inexperienced and Jupiter Crimson.

On the prime finish of the CLS vary, there’s the up to date AMG 53, which encompasses a redesigned entrance bumper alongside an AMG signature grille with vertical slats. Consumers can go for the AMG Evening Bundle and the AMG Exterior Carbon II bundle too – the previous introducing gloss black detailing, the latter including carbon-fibre components to the automotive’s exterior. 

Consumers additionally get efficiency targeted upgrades, comparable to customary adaptive air suspension, bucket seats and greater brakes.

The sporty flagship might be specified with two additional choice packs. The AMG Evening Bundle II swaps the automotive’s customary radiator grille for a darkish chrome piece and replaces its chrome badging with darkened alternate options. The AMG Dynamic Plus bundle provides red-painted brake calipers and a nappa leather-based/microfiber-trimmed AMG steering wheel.

Facelifted Mercedes CLS: engine and drivetrains

UK patrons may have three engine selections when the up to date CLS goes on sale; two diesels and a straight-six petrol for the range-topping AMG CLS 53. 

The entry-level CLS 300d is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder mild-hybrid diesel unit, which produces 261bhp and 550Nm of torque.The unit encompasses a 48-volt built-in starter-generator, which harvests power that may in any other case be misplaced when the automotive is coasting. The electrical energy is saved in a compact battery pack and might be redeployed below onerous acceleration, offering an additional 20bhp.

Like each mannequin within the UK CLS line-up, the 300d’s powertrain sends drive to all 4 wheels by way of a nine-speed computerized gearbox. It returns claimed gas financial system figures of between 42.8 and 48.7mpg, with CO2 emissions from 153g/km.

Above that, there’s the non-electrically assisted CLS 400d. It’s powered by a 3.0-litre straight-six diesel, which develops 325bhp and 700Nm of torque. Mercedes says that’s sufficient for a 0–62mph time of 5.2 seconds and a restricted prime pace of 155mph.

The efficiency edged Mercedes AMG CLS 53 options the identical 3.0-litre six-cylinder mild-hybrid petrol engine because the just lately launched AMG E 53. It produces 423bhp and 520Nm of torque. Mercedes claims the AMG-fettled CLS can from 0–62mph in 4.5 seconds. 

From the manufacturing facility, the range-topping CLS’s prime pace is restricted to 155mph. Nonetheless, patrons pays to have that limiter raised to 168mph, by speccing Mercedes’s non-obligatory AMG driver bundle. 

Hungry for extra Mercedes information? Learn concerning the firm’s deliberate 804bhp plug-in hybrid powertrain right here…