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Mercedes CLS Class
The Mercedes-Benz CLS
is a series of automobile models assembled
by DaimlerChrysler in Sindelfingen, Germany.
The class was first offered for sale in Europe
in autumn 2004. The model uses the Mercedes-Benz
W219 designation, and borrows the platform
of the contemporary E-Class sedan. It is three
inches (76 mm) shorter than the E-Class. Marketed
as a 'four door coupe,' the CLS recalls the
fastback sedan designs of Robert Opron in
the 1970's. According to a Mercedes-Benz press
release, the CLS-class was produced to combine
the "strong, emotive charisma" of
a coupe with the "comfort and practicality"
of a sedan.
TThe CLS-class was first
displayed as the Vision CLS concept at the
2003 Frankfurt International Motor Show. The
production version CLS 500 made its debut
at the 2004 New York International Auto Show.
A new AMG model was introduced at the 2004
Paris Motor Show, the CLS 55 AMG. Only 1,500
CLS 55 AMG cars will be built each year. The
CLS was first offered for sale in the United
States in January 2005; only the CLS 500 and
CLS 55 AMG are sold in the United States.
The CLS 500 has a base price of US$65,620,
with the CLS 55 starting at US$87,320. The
CLS 350 and CLS 500 have a 7-speed automatic
transmission. The CLS 55 has a five-speed
gearbox that can be shifted manually or automatically.
IVM
Automotive, a subsidiary of German roof system
specialist Edscha, developed the entire vehicle
from the Vision concept to the production
version. More than 150 IVM engineers were
involved, making the CLS the largest vehicle
development project in the company's history.
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