Up to now, "magno" paint has only been available on the low-volume SL63 AMG Edition IWC, of which only 200 units were built. The paint is "highly scratch- and dirt-resistant," Mercedes informs us, which is good, because you can't polish it like regular paint. The big news is a new color dubbed “designo magno platinum,” and chances are you haven't seen anything like its matte, satiny finish on the road. Goodies such as the COMAND navigation system and a parking aid system are thrown in for good measure.
The interior is distinguished by an Alcantara headliner, matte or high-gloss laurel wood, brushed stainless-steel pedals, and special available maroon leather. The focus clearly is on design, as dark casings for the bi-xenon headlight units and 18-inch AMG wheels painted in titanium gray catch the eye. To keep up interest, Mercedes is announcing the Grand Edition special series. And since that backbone of the Mercedes range will be replaced shortly, it makes sense for the CLS to move onto the next E-class platform as well.īut the first-generation CLS must carry on for another two years or so. It is, after all, no more (and no less) than a re-skinned E-class. The CLS, on the other hand, has been on sale long enough to be due a complete redesign in 2011, likely arriving as a 2012 model. Indeed, few other examples are available right now, and entries such as the Aston Martin Rapide or, less extravagant, the Audi A5 Sportback and the Audi A7 have yet to reach dealers. We are still not convinced the four-door coupe is a legitimate species, but if there are such animals, the Mercedes-Benz CLS certainly defines the genre.