Mercedes-Benz CLS History

Executive car · 2004–2023

History

The CLS (C219, 2004) pioneered the 'four-door coupe' — a low, fastback-roofed sedan on E-Class underpinnings — a format widely copied across the industry.

Three generations followed (C219, C218, C257), the C218 adding a Shooting Brake wagon, before the CLS was discontinued after 2023.

Generations

First generation · C219 (2004–2010)

Created the four-door-coupe segment; on W211 E-Class underpinnings.
- 2005
  Photo: “2005 Mercedes-Benz CLS 320 CDi Automatic 3.0 Front” by Vauxford / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
Second generation · C218 (2011–2018)

Added the Shooting Brake wagon; on W212 underpinnings.
- 2012
  Photo: “2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS 500 (C 218) BlueEFFICIENCY sedan (2012-10-26) 01” by OSX / Wikimedia Commons — Public domain . Cropped to 16:9.
- 2013
  Photo: “2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS 500 (C 218) BlueEFFICIENCY sedan (2015-08-02) 01” by OSX / Wikimedia Commons — Public domain . Cropped to 16:9.
- 2014
  Photo: “2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS 250 CDI (C 218) Avantgarde 10 Edition sedan (2015-06-27) 02” by OSX / Wikimedia Commons — Public domain . Cropped to 16:9.
Third generation · C257 (2018–2023)

The final CLS; moved to inline-six engines.
- 2018
  Photo: “2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class CLS300d AMG Premium” by Chanokchon / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 . Cropped to 16:9.
- 2021
  Photo: “2021 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class CLS220d AMG Premium” by Chanokchon / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 . Cropped to 16:9.