The 2017 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class remains a compelling choice in the luxury coupe segment, offering a blend of style, performance, and advanced features. This detailed guide explores the standard and optional equipment across the CLS400, CLS550, and AMG CLS 63 S models, providing potential buyers with a comprehensive overview.
Standard Equipment on the 2017 Mercedes CLS400
The base CLS400 model is generously equipped, establishing a high standard for luxury and convenience. Exterior highlights include 18-inch wheels and efficient LED headlights, ensuring both style and visibility. A sunroof comes standard, enhancing the cabin’s airy feel, alongside automatic wipers and auto-dimming mirrors for the rearview and driver’s side, increasing safety and ease of use in varying conditions.
Inside, the CLS400 prioritizes comfort and technology. Dual-zone automatic climate control maintains optimal cabin temperature, while 10-way power-adjustable and heated front seats, complete with 4-way lumbar support and memory functions, provide personalized comfort. Leather upholstery adds a touch of luxury, complemented by a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel. The COMAND infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch screen and knob controller, manages key vehicle functions. Connectivity is well-covered with Bluetooth, a Garmin Map Pilot navigation system, a CD player, HD radio, an auxiliary audio jack, a USB port, and a media player interface, ensuring a connected driving experience.
Available Packages and Options for Enhanced Luxury and Performance
Mercedes-Benz offers several packages to further customize the CLS 2017. The popular Premium 1 package adds keyless ignition and entry for seamless vehicle access, power-folding mirrors for convenience in tight spaces, and a power trunklid for effortless loading and unloading. A rearview camera enhances safety during parking maneuvers, while ventilated front seats provide cooling comfort in warmer climates. Audio quality is significantly upgraded with a 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.
Stepping up to the Premium 2 package essentially includes all features of Premium 1, plus further enhancements. Adaptive LED headlights optimize illumination based on driving conditions, automatic high beams improve nighttime visibility without dazzling other drivers, and a power rear sunshade increases rear passenger comfort and privacy. This package also includes an upgraded Mercedes navigation system for more advanced route guidance.
For those seeking more power, the CLS550 offers a significant engine upgrade and additional standard features. It includes a more powerful engine and an adaptive air suspension (optional on the CLS400) for enhanced ride comfort and handling. The Mercedes navigation system and Harman Kardon sound system, optional on the CLS400, come standard on the CLS550. Its Premium package encompasses the features of both CLS400 Premium packages not already included as standard. Notably, the rearview camera must be added separately to the CLS550 Premium package. The Night package provides a distinct aesthetic with gloss-black exterior accents, red interior stitching, a sport steering wheel, and a manual shift mode for the transmission, appealing to drivers seeking a sportier appearance.
AMG CLS 63 S: Top-Tier Performance and Exclusive Features
At the pinnacle of the CLS range is the AMG CLS 63 S. This model boasts an even more potent V8 engine and specialized AMG performance tuning for the transmission, adaptive suspension, braking system, exhaust system, and limited-slip differential. Building upon the CLS550’s equipment, the AMG CLS 63 S adds 19-inch wheels and unique styling cues that distinguish it visually. Front and rear parking sensors and an automated parallel parking system simplify parking in urban environments. The upgraded LED headlights, special gauges and interior trim, a sport steering wheel, an IWC Ingenieur analog clock, and more aggressively bolstered sport seats further enhance its sporty and luxurious character. Upgraded leather upholstery and a power rear sunshade are also standard. The AMG CLS 63 S Premium package includes a rearview camera, keyless ignition and entry, a power trunklid, power-folding mirrors, and ventilated front seats with additional multicontour adjustments, ensuring top-level convenience and comfort. Carbon-ceramic brakes are available as a stand-alone option for ultimate braking performance.
Safety and Driver Assistance Technology
Across the CLS lineup, various safety and driver assistance features are available. The Lane Tracking package includes blind-spot monitoring and lane departure warning, crucial for highway driving and reducing accidents. The Driver Assistance package expands on this with adaptive cruise control and steering assist, enhanced blind-spot monitoring and intervention, lane departure intervention, rear cross-traffic alert, and an enhanced emergency braking system with pedestrian detection, providing a comprehensive suite of safety technologies. A heated steering wheel can be added to either of these packages for increased comfort in colder climates. Heated rear seats are also available as a stand-alone option.
Parking Assist package, available on CLS400 and CLS550, incorporates front and rear parking sensors, an automated parallel parking system, and a surround-view parking camera (available separately on the CLS 63), making parking in challenging situations easier and safer. Stand-alone options further include an active multicontour driver seat with adjustable side bolsters, shoulder supports, and massage function for ultimate driver comfort, a split-folding rear seat for increased cargo versatility, and a premium 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system for audiophiles.
Engine and Performance Specifications
The 2017 Mercedes-Benz CLS400 is powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 329 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. A nine-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive are standard, with all-wheel drive (4Matic) optional.
The CLS550 upgrades to a turbocharged 4.7-liter V8 engine delivering 402 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, also paired with a nine-speed automatic and standard rear-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available. Edmunds testing recorded a 0-60 mph time of just 4.6 seconds for the rear-wheel-drive CLS550, highlighting its impressive performance.
The AMG CLS 63 S utilizes a turbocharged 5.5-liter V8, generating a remarkable 577 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. It comes standard with an AMG-tuned all-wheel-drive system and a seven-speed automatic transmission. Mercedes-Benz estimates a 0-60 mph acceleration time of just 3.6 seconds for the CLS 63 S, placing it firmly in sports car performance territory.
Conclusion
The 2017 Mercedes CLS-Class offers a range of models to suit different preferences and performance needs. From the well-equipped CLS400 to the high-performance AMG CLS 63 S, each model delivers a compelling combination of luxury, technology, and driving dynamics. Potential buyers should consider their priorities in terms of performance, features, and budget to select the CLS model that best fits their requirements.
