Mercedes-Benz has just announced its facelifted CLS and the CLS Shooting Brake. Whilst visually the car has not undergone an entire revamp, there are a few small changes that Merc says make it look even more dynamic. The bigger changes to the Mercedes-Benz CLS faceliftcome in the form of two new engine versions, a ground-breaking lighting system and a nine-speed automatic transmission.

Exterior Changes

The new MULTIBEAM LED headlights dominate the changes to the front end of the Mercedes-Benz CLS facelift, but Merc has also added larger air intakes around the new front bumper. The diamond radiator grille is also new to the facelift. The rear end sees only a modest change to the light cluster, which are slightly darkened and have a multi-level function.

New Lighting System

Using all of the technologies on other Merc products the new MULTIBEAM LED basically lights the road as best as possible without dazzling oncoming drivers. There’s a bit more to it than just that though as the headlamps are camera operated and able to detect oncoming objects and dim sections of the lights where it sees oncoming objects.

The camera also allows the lights to ‘see around corners’ before you get to them, lighting them up before you turn the steering wheel. It will do the same for roundabouts as well.

New Engines forMercedes-Benz CLS facelift

All the engines in the CLS and CLS Shooting Brake meet Euro 6 standards so are super-efficient and green – or blue in the case of Merc’s naming philosophy. A new turbodiesel does work in the CLS 220 BlueTEC putting out 125 kW and 400 Nm of torque from its four-cylinder unit.

The same engine in a higher state of tune is put to work in the CLS 250 BlueTEC with 150 kW and 500 Nm. Topping off the diesel range is the CLS 350 BlueTEC, a V6 with 190 kW and 620 Nm.

There’s a new petrol unit for theMercedes-Benz CLS facelift as well– a 3.5-litre V6 with a turbocharger that replaces the previous naturally aspirated engine and that will punch out 245 kW and 480 Nm. Before you get to the AMG version there is a CLS 500 with 300 kW and 600 Nm to play with.

Merc has also opted to increase its AWD offerings with the CLS 250 and CLS 400 being offered in 4MATIC option in the future.

The AMG models gross anywhere between 410 kW and 430 kW depending on whether you get rear-wheel drive (410 kW) or go for the 4MATIC S-Model (430 kW). They are powered by the same 5.5-litre V8 biturbo as the previous generation was.

Nine Speed Transmission

Yep, we’re now up to nine forward gears for theMercedes-Benz CLS facelift. The new ‘box is used in the CLS 220 BlueTEC, CLS 250 BlueTEC, CLS 350 BlueTEC and CLS 500. They say it helps improve fuel economy by keeping the revs nice and low between shifts.

The newMercedes-Benz CLS facelift should make its way to South Africa. We’ll keep you posted on an expected arrival date.