- Mercedes-Benz will end production of the CLS-class sedan on August 31, the company confirmed.
- There are no plans to replace the current generation CLS, meaning the car will die with production in August.
- The sedan has always had coupelike styling, but the CLS is mechanically underpinned by the E-class sedan.
The bell has officially tolled for the Mercedes-Benz CLS-class. Production of the coupelike sedan will end on August 31, the company confirmed to Car and Driver. As things stand now, 2023 will mark the final model year for the car, with Mercedes having no plans to replace the current generation CLS following the August close of production.
The news of the CLS’ untimely demise may come as a shock as it underwent a mild refresh as recently as 2022, but the timing comes while the E-class sedan (which underpins the CLS) prepares for a new generation. Mercedes trimmed the available CLS sedans in 2022, dropping the rear-drive version of the CLS450, as well as the 429-hp AMG-tuned CLS53, and leaving only the four-wheel drive CLS450 4Matic.
The lone survivor CLS450 is equipped with a buttery-smooth 3.0-liter inline-six that pairs to a 48-volt hybrid system, both of which are shared with the E450 sedan. It produces 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, and springs the swoopy four-door to 60 mph in a spry 4.6 seconds. The lavish E-class driving dynamics carry over to the CLS, which provides an elegant ride more tuned for comfort than speed.
It’s not as if Mercedes is removing its most budget friendly vehicle by axing the CLS, but the change marks a clear push towards both it’s battery-electric EQ vehicles, and more expensive AMG models.
“In our opinion, our current product portfolio addresses emotionally appealing design more than ever,” a company spokesperson told C/D. “In this respect, models such as the EQE and EQS with their coupe-like lines offer attractive alternatives both in terms of design and price segment. Furthermore, the 4-door AMG GT will continue to be part of the model range as a 4-door coupe.”
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Associate News Editor
Jack Fitzgerald’s love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1.
After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn’t afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf.
