Mercedes CLS Grand Edition

Mercedes CLS Grand Edition - Now available in the UK

Back in January we reported on the Mercedes CLS Grand Edition, so it has taken five months for the car to become available in the UK. But it’s here now.

I really like the Mercedes CLS. In top engine form in particular it is an astonishingly good drive. It doesn’t feel at all like a four seater saloon (or 4 seater Coupe, as we should call it – especially as it was the first of its kind), and the handling is more GT than saloon. But the ride compromise to achieve the handling is not at all unacceptable, and the big plus is how it looks.

But the CLS is due to be replaced next year by a new CLS based on the new Mercedes E Class, so this is the usual high-spec run-out model from a car maker wanting to make sure a soon-to-be-replaced model carries on selling until the end.

The Mercedes CLS Grand Edition gets a choice of five paint jobs including – for the first time on the CLS – Palladium Silver. If you want to stand out a bit more you can even opt for the ‘designo’ version – Palladium Silver Matt – which is not only good-looking but also resists both dirt and scratches much better than the conventional finishes.

You also get 18″ AMG alloys in Titanium Grey, front grill louvres and headlight housing in Palladium Silver Matt and of course the necessary ‘Grand Edition’ badging. Throw in ‘cornering’ bi-xenons with Active Light system and you have a nice package of goodies to set-apart the Grand Edition from the standard model.

Not surprisingly, diesel versions of the CLS account for a big chunk of UK sales (over 70%), so Mercedes has opted to boost the power on the CLS 350 CDi V6 by 48bhp to 272bhp in the Grand Edition. You also get an extra wodge of torque and the 0-60mph time drops to 6.5 seconds. This has apparently been achieved without any impact on economy or emissions. Makes you wonder why they didn’t do it before.

The Mercedes CLS Grand Edition is now available in the UK with prices starting at £48,445. But there are only 560 coming to the UK, so if you want one you’d better make a move.