2020 Mercedes-Benz CLS 260 Gains Tiny 1.5L Four-Cylinder Engine In China

In an attempt to make the CLS as affordable as it can, Mercedes-Benz China has launched a new entry-level model that’s powered by a tiny gasoline engine.

Dubbed the CLS 260, it slots under the 300 and 350 in the People’s Republic, and features a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-pot. Shared with the smaller C-Class, the lump develops an identical 181 HP (184 PS / 135 kW) at 6,100 rpm and 207 lb-ft (280 Nm) of torque from 3,000 to 4,000 rpm.

The power is channeled to the rear wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmission and, in this form, the CLS 260 can accelerate to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 8.7 seconds and reach a 155 mph (250 km/h) top speed. The average fuel consumption, according to the local standard, is 32.7 mpg US (7.2 l/100 km).

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Pricing starts at 576,800 yuan, which equals to $81,332 at the current exchange rates and looks like a lot of money to pay on a four-cylinder CLS, especially considering what happens in other markets.

In the United States, for example, Mercedes is asking a minimum of $69,950 for the entry-level CLS 450. However, this model packs a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine delivering 362 HP and 369 lb-ft (500 Nm). The CLS 450 sprints to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 5.1 seconds with rear-wheel drive and 4.8 seconds with four-wheel drive. The latter variant has an MSRP of $72,450.

For the equivalent of $62,440 (€57,792), German customers can choose the CLS 220d diesel powered by a 192 HP (194 PS / 143 kW) 2.0-liter turbo-four engine enabling a 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) sprint of 7.5 seconds and 147 mph (237 km/h) top speed. The CLS 350 petrol variant starts at €63,468 ($68,573) and has 295 HP (299 PS / 220 kW), covering 0-62 mph in 5.9 seconds and reaching a top speed limited to 155 mph (250 km/h).