The bones of the Mercedes-Benz CLS are going to remain mostly the same. It’s the safety systems and high-tech interior that are getting the biggest upgrades for the 2021 model year. There’s also some exterior enhancements.
Mercedes will sell the car in three variants: Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 and CLS 450 4MATIC, as well as the Mercedes-AMG CLS 53.
It will be available in new Mojave silver and Cirrus silver paint options. Mercedes has not copped to any additional exterior design changes.
The interior of the car is expected to remain much the same as in the 2020 edition (shown here).Photo courtesy of Mercedes-Benz
The CLS’s infotainment system will include two large 12.3-inch high resolution touch screens that are positioned side by side. This is similar to the design of the E-Class and GLS.
The newest version of the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) infotainment system runs on the screens and allows for learning capability thanks to artificial intelligence. It can anticipate user needs based on time of day or day of the week and display prompts on the screens.
Additionally, the car’s navigation system is enhanced by available augmented reality technology that can use video imagery of the vehicle’s surroundings to enhance navigation data. Mercedes provides an example:
“When this feature is in use, a video image of the surroundings is enhanced with helpful navigation information—for example, arrows or house numbers are automatically superimposed directly onto the image in the media display. The system also assists the driver at traffic lights: if the vehicle is in appropriate proximity, the current traffic light status is superimposed. In this way, this new function is a particular help when there is an unfavorable line of sight to the traffic lights.”
The optional MBUX Interior Assist also allows intuitive operation of different comfort and MBUX functions by movement recognition.
The CLS comes equipped with standard active brake assist with cross traffic functionality, which can be used to mitigate the severity of an accident.
Additional Intelligent Drive functions include Active Speed Limit Assist, which uses map data and information from Traffic Sign Assist to respond to changes in the speed limit and route-based speed adaptation ahead of bends, roundabouts, toll stations and T-junctions, as well prior to exiting highways and expressways.
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG CLS will arrive in U.S. dealers by late 2020. Pricing is expected to be announced closer to the model’s on-sale date.
