CLS - sensuality AND sense!

While our minister of transport is proposing that the national speed limit be reduced to 100km/h in South Africa, the German manufacturers are outdoing themselves with faster new vehicles.

Last week yet another creation from Mercedes-Benz was launched. A year after it was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the new Mercedes CLS has found its way to our shores.

Sleeker and smaller than its predecessor, the new CLS retains the poise that has set this marque apart since it appeared.

The CLS created the four-door coupe market in the D-segment. Today, it has been joined by the likes of the Audi A7.

Since its first launch seven years ago, the CLS has lured new customers to the brand because of its uniqueness, saysthe company. When the CLS first came out, some loved it, some hated it.

I make no secret of my love for Mercs - with the exception of the A-Class and B-Class -

and the CLS is one of the company's success stories.

The design of the new CLS model is more mature, with beautiful lines that move from the from wheel arches right up to the shoulder.

The rear lights are new, in line with the new Merc design language.

In the front the CLS has daytime running lights which just add to the already cool and beautifully designed headlights.

Like many top Mercedes-Benz ranges, the CLS gives you a sense of royalty. The distinctive character and unique design is what draws customers to the CLS models, says Eckart Mayer, Mercedes-Benz SA vice-president for sales and marketing.

The CLS's expressive contours combine elegance with athletic power delivery. Its style-defining profile is a conscious departure from anything seen before.

The launch featured the CLS 350, CLS 500 and the monstrous CLS 63 AMG. It was not clear if smaller derivatives would be added to the line-up, but the company said this would depend on customer demand.

Like its predecessor, the CLS is equipped with numerous safety and convenience features. It has 11 driver-assistance systems. The new model comes, for the first time, with night-view assist.

The badging of the CLS 63 AMG is confusing. The last CLS AMG was powered by a 6.2-litre V8, but the new model makes a switch to the Mercedes-Benz's latest 5.5-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine.

Mercedes-Benz SA's head honchos were quick to defend the 63's new engine , saying it was more fuel efficient but also quicker. Mayer said the smaller, "greener" engine did not come at the expense of performance.

Having driven both the CLS 350 and 500, I must say, there is nothing to complain about as far as performance is concerned.

The 350 gave what was expected from the smaller engine, while the 500 surprised me and my co-driver, Thami Masemola. This model fought and behaved like it was the flagship CLS 63 AMG.

As we tackled the beautiful passes of the Western Cape, it became quite clear that the new suspension means business. The two new CLS models we drove were lighter on corners, making driving pleasurable and fun.

The combination of comfort and playfulness, makes the CLS, as opposed to the bigger S-Class, a great choice for the young executive. - and what the CLS offers in the safety and convenience department is eye-popping.

Petrol heads eyeing the 63 AMG can, for an extra R34000, have the top speed ungoverned, offering access to a a top speed ofaround 300km/h.

Yes, Merc have done it again - the new CLS is sensual and sensible!

The Specs:

CLS 350

Engine: 3498cc V6

Power: 225kW at 6500rpm

Torque: 370Nm at 3500rpm to 5250rpm

0-100km/h: 6.1 seconds

Top speed: 250km/h

Fuel consumption: 6.8l/100km

C02: 161g/km

Price: R793000

CLS 500

Engine: 4663cc V8

Power: 300kW at 5000rpm to 5750rpm

Torque: 600Nm at 1600rpm to 4750rpm

0-100km/h: 5.2 seconds

Top speed: 250km/h

Fuel consumption: 9.0l/100km

C02: 209g/km

Price: R996000

CLS 63 AMG

Engine: 5461cc Biturbo V8

Power: 386 at 5250rpm

Torque: 700Nm at 1750rpm to 5000rpm

0-100km/h: 4.4 seconds

C02: 231g/km

Price: R1319500

We like:

Beautiful styling and design

Comfortable interior

Base model well priced

Beautiful entertainment system

Driver friendly

We don't like:

Why the 5.5-litre (in the AMG)?