We take a close look at photos of the updated Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class to see how the cabin tech might have improved. The design of the CLS impressed us ever since the car's launch in 2005. But Mercedes-Benz's cabin tech has been a mixed bag, with some mediocre versions of its COMAND interface in various models. We saw great improvement with the new C-Class last year and hope the new CLS gets a similar update.
The new CLS gets the same powertrain treatment as most other Mercedes-Benz sedans. It will be offered as the CLS550, with the 5.5-liter V-8 we've come to know and love, and as a powerful AMG model. The AMG designation is the CLS63, a car that will come with a big 6.3-liter V-8.
The new CLS gets LED taillights as one of its updates. This isn't a particularly dramatic update, as other automakers, such as Audi and Cadillac, are starting to use LEDs for parking lights.
The new design of the steering wheel in the CLS is similar to that found on the new C-Class. In the C300, we found the radial style buttons to be very usable for a variety of car functions. The buttons on the right spoke controls a Bluetooth phone integration system, a new feature being incorporated in the CLS.
We are disappointed to see the familiar plastic buttons for controlling the audio and navigation systems. More advanced Mercedes-Benz models have a big metal knob on the console for controlling the cabin tech. But we are happy to see that Mercedes-Benz has done away with the small plastic joystick used on older models.
Mercedes-Benz hasn't specified whether the navigation system stores its maps on a hard drive, which usually includes space for music. But we are intrigued by the SD card slot above the disc player, which should be one means of playing digital music.
