Mercedes-Benz’s latest interior design theme looks great in the CLS, enveloped in luxurious leathers and woods, seamlessly melding classic and high-tech themes. For now, at least, the CLS400 retains a 7-speed automatic. Initially installed only in rear-drive CLS550 models, the 9-speed automatic transmission goes into 2016 CLS 4MATIC versions as well. The Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS63 S 4MATIC features a twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8 that cranks out 577 horsepower and all-wheel drive to tame the beast. The Mercedes-Benz CLS550 uses the familiar 4.6-liter twin-turbocharged V8, here developing 402 horsepower and 443 pound-feet, yielding even more vigorous acceleration.īoth CLS versions come with either rear-wheel drive or 4MATIC all-wheel drive. A brisk performer, the CLS400 never lags in traffic, and passes easily at any speed. The Mercedes-Benz CLS400 gets a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine rated at 329 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. A new Night Package for the AMG model blacks out some chrome trim.Īll powertrains are potent and capable.
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Mercedes-Benz also offers a CLS400 with a V6 engine, plus a super-powered AMG CLS63 S that promises startling performance and handling qualities. During 2016, Mercedes-Benz has been gradually making its excellent 9-speed automatic transmission standard equipment, starting with the V8-powered CLS550. Little has changed since a significant revamp for the 2012 model year. That is, a four-door sedan with a sloping roofline resembling that of a stylish two-door coupe. With the CLS, the German automaker helped popularize what’s been called the modern four-door coupe design phenomenon.
As such, it will probably take an automaker to implement the solution into an app, and make it compatible with Apple CarPlay.Inside and out, the shapely Mercedes-Benz CLS midsize four-door not only looks great, it exudes a virtually timeless appeal. Rather than going direct to consumers, the company only provides its technology to partners. However, you won't find Gracenote's app in the iTunes store.
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Using that database, its app interface gives drivers a range of tools to browse stations, or just find their favorites. Drivers using Apple CarPlay for navigation and communications need to switch between the CarPlay interface and their car's native interface to tune the radio.Īlong with indexing and tagging digital music, Gracenote has also indexed radio stations across the country, tagging them with genre and location information. Yet the audience for radio in cars remains significant. With its Internet-centric approach and limited number of apps, Apple CarPlay doesn't integrate with AM/FM radios in cars. Even better, it seamlessly combines streaming and broadcast stations, so drivers can get their local favorites while traveling. Using a demonstration app, Gracenote showed how it gives drivers a rich radio interface integrated with CarPlay.īeyond simply playing local radio, the app lets drivers choose from a list of favorited stations and browse stations based on location or genre. Gracenote, the company that creates tagging information for digital music, showed a solution to CarPlay's radio problem at CES. Gracenote's demonstration app shows how it can integrate radio with Apple CarPlay.Īpple CarPlay shows navigation, podcasts and apps on your car's dashboard LCD, but one thing it doesn't do is radio.