Individuality is written large in the new Mercedes CLS. The model range for the four-door Coupé is correspondingly extensive - it will be at first be available with rear-wheel drive and then, from September 2011 onwards, for the first time as a 4MATIC with all-wheel drive. As regards the drive system, customers will at first have a choice between four petrol and diesel engines, with four, six and eight cylinders and an output range of between 150 kW (204 hp) and 300 kW (408 hp), or 2143 to 4633 cc displacement.

A total of 12 different paint finishes, including the SHAPE manganite grey matt paintwork, can be combined with the five interior colours - black, alpaca grey, almond beige, aubergine and porcelain. Three different versions of leather upholstery are available to choose from: leather (nappa leather), PASSION leather (a fine semi-aniline leather) and Exclusive PASSION leather (where also the instrument panel and beltline are leather-covered). There are five different finishes available for the trim elements - brown high-gloss burr walnut, black high-gloss ash, satin-finish light brown poplar, black piano lacquer as well as AMG carbon fibre for the CLS Edition 1. In this way, customers purchasing a CLS can, according to their own tastes, choose to accentuate either fresh naturalness or elegant sportiness.

Countless optional extras make it possible to individualise one's Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class further - including opting for active multicontour seats, LED High Performance headlamps, Keyless Go and the harman/kardon sound system, as well as many support systems including the new Active Blind Spot Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist with brake actuation (for more information on the latter, please refer to the section "Active Safety"). Over and above this, Mercedes-Benz has put together three packages offering appropriate combinations of optional extras.

A customer opting for the Exterior Sports package will get a Mercedes CLS with visible, chromed tailpipes. The Sport CLS also has a lowered suspension with sports tuning, alloy wheels in size 18 or 19 (and, optionally, in anthracite) and a trim element in black on the rear bumper.

The AMG Sports package comprises a multifunction sports steering wheel in nappa leather in the 3-spoke design, with flattened bottom section, aluminium pedals, AMG bumpers to the front (with single-louvred grille) and rear, AMG alloy wheels in size 18 or 19, AMG floor mats, visible tailpipes, and in the interior, in combination with black leather seats, light-coloured felled seams on the seats, headrests and armrests. With the AMG Sports package, the automatic transmission has a third shift programme - M - which allows the gear to be selected manually using the paddles on the steering wheel. In addition to this, the adaptive suspension is more sportily tuned.

The Exclusive package combines seats in fine semi-aniline leather with nappa leather for the instrument panel, centre console and parts of the door trim. The roof lining is made of alcantara. The Exclusive package, which also includes ambient lighting, is available with all the interior colours and trim elements.

The CLS "Edition 1" will be available for a limited period of one year following market launch. The distinguishing features of this special model are the SHAPE matt paint finish in manganite grey; the leather upholstery in designo corteccia tundra brown pearl which has a metallic shimmer to it; floormats with Edition 1 lettering; a black roof liner; and aluminium pedals. For the interior trim elements in the Edition 1 there is a choice between satin-finish light brown poplar, black piano lacquer or AMG carbon fibre.