2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS Officially Unveiled

Seriously? Who the hell buys this car? People who think price equates luxury? I'm guessing those are Euro's, but the conversion is about $80k USD for the entry level model. With a 230hp v6. Is something wrong with Mercedes Benz? Or do they know there are people gullible enough to buy these silly overpriced, undertrimmed cars on namesake alone? If it's the latter, kudos to Mercedes then.

European pricing is going to be higher (even accounting for Euro to Dollar transactions) than American pricing.

The 2008 CLS 550 (which has the same 5.5L V8 in the 09) starts at $68,775 in the US. Remember, the CLS 500 is a European trim, the 550 is our version.

Brands like Mercedes like to keep themselves as exclusive, relative to population size and market, as possible. With the Euro not loosing as much ground to the price of oil as the Dollar and with the quickly aging Western European population, Mercedes wants to keep pricing high enough that the cars will still fly off the lots, but not be over-abundant on the streets.

The US pricing will be considerably lower, as the US market (while we do have plenty of retirees soon) doesn't have as high of draw for Mercedes: more luxury brands are sold here than anywhere else, and Mercedes is far from number one (they have to go through BMW, Lexus and Infiniti first right now). Hence, do not expect the US pricing to go over $70,000 for the 09.

All that said, I am disappointed here. While other brands have improved quality and value to beyond (and in most cases past) Mercedes, the company still offers the majority of its breakthrough equipment as options, not standard. Its market share will plummet soon, oh it will still be profitable thanks to design, but things have changed from just 4 years ago.

We have four, not two, classes of rich people in America now. Upper-middle classes (the "Working Rich" and two classes of four years ago) still work for a living and still have incomes, and Mercedes vehicles are getting less and less attractive to these people as other makers improve quality and equipment (MB needs to refocus on quality, something they lost in the latest series).
Then we have the "Sorta Rich." These are entrepenuers and internet-millionaires who will possibly stake out the rest of their lives as financiers for new projects. Net worth is in the 7 digits, but considering the relative young age of this group (the 30s and some in the late twenties last I found), its going to be hard to convince them to shell out tons of money for a car they keep for only 4 years.
Then we have the "Rich." CEOs, highly paid CFOs and really successful entrepenuers here. Another of the 4-years-ago-two, they can afford to buy style, and Mercedes can still expect them.
And the Ultra Rich. The names Gates, Bill Gates. I have more friends in my pay grade than ever, and we have all stepped up to Rolls Royce, Maybach and Bently. Or we drive hybrids so we can look "green." Either way, we don't buy any old Merc.

We the foolish euros....

I'm not into Mercs, but you'll have to admit they sold more than 250,000 units there in the States in 2007 for around 9,000 Caddies sold in Europe (tops).

Is this that we hate American cars? Or is it that their trimming is awful and appalling (not to mention that all buttons are in English, because in the US mindset all of us poor foreigners speak "your" language)?

Silly overpriced? Amen. Undertrimmed? Yeah, right.

I used to be into cars, oh say 20 years ago when I dreamed of owning fancy italian sportscars. Now that I'm actually 30, other priorities take much precedence. I mean, the difference between a Mercedes McLaren and a Ford Focus is really not big enough to warrant an 80-fold difference in price. If the McLaren drove itself and could fly, maybe it'd justify its value.

And the other thing is: if I drive a Focus and it gets dinged, I don't really care whereas I'd go ballistic and murder anyone that so much as breathed on the McLaren. It's not worth the stress or aggravation. Of course, if you're making $50MM/year, that'd be different. But then why not buy a Honda and give the rest to charity and do some good in the world?

Ah upscale german automobiles....every rich jerk who wants to drive a status symbol with 4 wheels should have one!

Is it me, or does the headroom for the rear seating appear atrocious? Keep in mind people tend to lean back in seats, not lean forward.

I've ridden in a 06 CLS, and the headroom is actually ok. I'm 6'2, and my hair (I wore it long then) brushed the ceiling in the back. The seats ride down a little bit, so while its difficult getting in compared to a normal sedan, its actually ok to sit in. If you are 6'5 however, good luck in that seat. Slouch away my friends.

Poor americans, if you think this car is TOO expensive is because your americans plastics cars are so cheap, along with your currency that is falling and falling and falling. Euro rules!
Bye bye american imperialism!!!!!!

She's puuuuuurrrrttyy....

This car is fugly. There are far better options in this price range.

@ Franz - What exactly do you do? Because when I was in England and Germany, the people I knew that drove BMW or Benz were wealthy executives, not your everyday person. Everyone else was in Renault or Ford. Or they didnt drive.

I enjoy the CLS, I think it is a nice-looking car. Whoever said that the car is underpowered seems not to have read the article, as it says its capable of 0-60 in less than 8 seconds with the smallest engine size. It isn't breaking records, but it isn't a minivan either.

@ John P: You didn't see that in Germany most of the taxis are Mercedes?

Come on guys, you will never be able to compare american plastic cars for fat people, istead of luxury and technology of the European cars.

@ Franz

You can keep your overpriced Euro luxury Merc's.
I'll stick with my Honda Rune and my H-D Fat Boy.
Now thats real luxury.

I love owning and driving mercedes benz but some models I have to ask the same question many others have asked about buying this car.
Hey, I can get a new C-class with more hp and less than half the cost!

Franz Schneider:

Just keep in mind that if we fall to wayside Europe will be in big trouble. The US helps maintain prices with huge consumer base which by European standard is wealthy.

Beside how would you defend yourselves. The US alone makes upwards of 1/3 the world military power. Without us the Scientology would take over your country...

The only Mercedes I'd buy is the S class, SLR. Although any Mercedes modified from Brabus kicks ass. I never quite figured out if I liked the looks of the CLS. Still, they are much better than any American car.

Do American car companies even produce a luxury car? Cadillacs are cheap wannabes and don't count. Cannot have a debate without competition. Have to hand it to the Euro trash when it comes to luxury/performance cars.

this is a nice car but common mercedes quality as of lately is pretty bad. If I wanted a very expensive german car that is as reliable as a lincoln id go for this car everyday of the week. Bmw and audi of the same class are much nicer cars Id go for then way before id take a second look at this merc

And with this car Mercedes keeps up it's trend of absolutely hideous styling that has defined it for the last few decades.

I think we should start calling Mercedes "The European Ford", since in the US Ford has had the most appalling styling for the last 20-30 years, just like Mercedes (although some of Ford's new stuff suggests that they're learning).

Mercedes sends a a Big Hello from the land of the bland

I am torn about the car. I think it looks great depending on the view. From the rear it's not so appealing.

@ Franz

Stupid comments like yours make sites like this irritating. Why can't people keep it related to automobiles instead of bashing Americans and generalizing all of us? You have probably never even been here. It's always funny how everyone hates us, yet expects us to provide money and help out when there is a disaster in their country. Can't be both ways, unless you want to remain a hypocrit!! As you noticed, even though we are hated, we still help!!

"You have probably never even been here."

He might not, but I am an American and I pretty much agree with him dead on. No, not ALL Americans are fat, dumb, and lazy, but the majority you meet are.

"As you noticed, even though we are hated, we still help!! "

Again, see the above statement regarding the typical American being dumb. If the population was more intelligent they'd say "Screw you, enjoy fending for yourselves for the first time in 50+ years".

Remy:

Lazy? You are aware that the American worker are the most productive. Another fact, I like many other American travel abroad to improve our interest. To date I have yet to work on a project that didn't significantly out perform it's local competitors, not bad for a dumb American. Don't let your envy of American culture reduce your comment to insults.

I have worked in England, France and Germany. The first two were like living in a 2nd world countries, Germany was close to the US but still crazy expensive. Europeans living is socialism shows real intelligence! At the end of the day they have the same beggars on the streets but have to wait in line for medical attention. As an added bonus they work a shorter work weeks, drink at lunch and get taxed to hell by useless governments.

To each his own but for me I'm happy in the US even with all it's problems. Based on the number of legal and illegal immigrants I would say many others are as well.

The fact is that most non-US bashers are jealous and the home grown bashers should live abroad for while. Unless they're retiring most will come home glad to be an American citizen.

^^

Well you're proving that you ARE at least one of the illiterate ones since I specifically said that "not all Americans are dumb...", but apparently learning to read got in the way of watching football, so you just skipped that.

"The fact is that most non-US bashers are jealous and the home grown bashers should live abroad for while."

What is it with people like you and this "someone else is worse off, so therefore we're wonderful" mentality? Just because the UK has it waaaaaaaaaaaay worse, doesn't suddenly make you a saint.

Guys, seriously. Get a grip. This article about cars turned in to an economics, geopolitical, military discussion. It's pretty pointless.

Europe is the largest economy on the planet now. They have their own military to defend themselves (and it's not like they're invading anyone to have the need for a large military). Germany, the world's largest exporter for the past five years, builds the best cars without question (brand-recognition, status, technology, safety, handling). American (cookie cutter, V8 power, plastic-like, etc) and Japanese cars (economy, cookie cutter, emulation) are different and appeal to different people who have different tastes.

These basic differences in car manufacturing tend to reflect the differences of the countries that manufacture them. And these same differences have been in place for decades.

So much BS American bashing I feel like vomiting. Some of you are disgusting.

As for the car, I like it better when it was lauched. It is not aging well at all, IMHO.

I'll keep my Infiniti M for years for the time being.

I'm an American, but I've lived abroad for many years. There are many nice places to live, but each has its drawbacks. Just like their cars. Anyone that says otherwise is ill-informed or biased to the point of fanaticism. There is no "best" car, because criteria change from buyer to buyer. Most people in the world just want cheap, reliable transportation. That pretty much excludes every German automaker except VW, and those are made in Mexico.

Back to the OP. I like Mercedes. The drivetrain choices are nice for a luxury sedan, which is what this is, but it's ugly from the rear. I was in one recently (not the AMG model) and the handling is too soft for my tastes as well. Acceleration was good for a heavy car, but not great. As with other German makes, reliability can become an issue after the warranty expires. A very nice car but not one I would consider for myself.

still fuglay as hell!! looks even fatter!! or maybe like the old ford taures, the one with all the ovals!! hahahahaha

These cars are sooooo ugly! The only reason Mercedes continues to sell is that stupid status symbol of the star on the front grill. If I were to hit the lottery tomorrow I'd never buy a Mercedes. Lexus and Infiniti have so much more to offer. All you have to do is research the quality numbers in just about any publication and the German makers are in the basement. I just don't get the stupid design execusion of Mercedes these days. The swooping lines and rear end is just so ugly! Over priced status symbols sums it up just fine. All package and no substance.

one of the most beautiful moderns cars..

but hey merc, start making cars like you used to. learn from lexus.

Lets not hate, The CLS is a beauty

Bravo Mercedes Benz, I've loved MB since my daddy 1st got one and the CLS made me love MB even more

MB rules