What you'll find here
Year-by-year archive pages with brochure PDFs, core specs, and links to related models.
This archive preserves 62 original dealer brochures documenting the Mercedes-Benz CLS from 2004 through 2023. Materials span 19 markets worldwide, capturing the evolution of all generations and powertrains: the CLS 350, AMG CLS 53, and AMG CLS 63. The collection serves automotive researchers, historians, and enthusiasts seeking authentic period documentation of this four-door coupé's development across two decades of production and market representation.
Year-by-year archive pages with brochure PDFs, core specs, and links to related models.
Original manufacturer materials document equipment and options exactly as they were offered.
Use search or the year browser below. Each brochure card links to the full PDF download.
Open a year to view details and download the brochure.
By 2022, the CLS 53 reached Mexico as AMG's answer to buyers who rejected the full-fat 63 but demanded more than the base saloon. The 3.0-litre twin-turbo six, paired with electric motor assist, delivered 435 horsepower across a market where performance sedans competed fiercely against Porsche Panamera and BMW M440i. Buyers in that segment wanted sophisticated power without the
By 2016, the AMG CLS 63 was positioned as the unchallenged four-door performance sedan for buyers in the Greater China region who rejected SUV aesthetics but demanded supercar pace. The 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged engine, producing 585 horsepower, outpaced anything in its segment—a deliberate statement against the Porsche Panamera and BMW M550i. Chinese brochures emphasized exc
When the 2018 AMG CLS 63 arrived in showrooms, it positioned itself as the thinking driver's alternative to heavier, less agile performance saloons. The 4.0-litre twin-turbo delivered 510 horsepower and 700 newton-metres of torque through a nine-speed automatic, making it quicker than its predecessor yet more composed on winding roads. Korean buyers found in it a sedan that ref
When the CLS arrived in 2004, it faced no direct competitor—the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé wouldn't exist for years. Mercedes created an entirely new segment, positioning this as the thinking driver's alternative to conventional luxury saloons. The 5.5-litre V8 delivered 500 horsepower through a rear-wheel-drive platform engineered for both highway refinement and composed cornerin
Reaching showrooms across Europe and Asia-Pacific, the first-generation CLS arrived as Mercedes's answer to buyers seeking executive presence without traditional sedan formality. The 5.9-metre four-door coupé offered a V8 engine producing 272 horsepower alongside turbocharged inline-sixes from 211 hp. Left-hand and right-hand markets received identical specification sheets, tho
The 2006 CLS arrived in Canada with Mercedes' new 5.0-litre V8 engine producing 382 horsepower, paired to a seven-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain choice reflected the market's appetite for substantial displacement and smooth acceleration, setting the four-door coupé apart from the sport saloons it would compete against on North American roads.
The 2007 range offered two body configurations: the fastback saloon and the sportier coupé variant, each paired with a choice of powerplants. A 3.5-litre V6 producing 280 horsepower served entry-level buyers, while the 5.5-litre twin-turbocharged V8 with 382 hp appealed to those seeking performance. Four trim levels carried the catalogue across North American markets.
By 2008, the CLS arrived in North American showrooms as the four-door coupé that redefined the sport-luxury sedan segment. Buyers seeking an alternative to the 7-Series found a sleeker profile, coupe-like roofline, and more aggressive stance. The model proved that luxury and sportiness could coexist without compromise—a positioning that resonated strongly with affluent drivers
By 2009, the CLS faced stiffer competition from the Audi A7 and BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé, yet Mercedes refined its formula with sharper lines and a lower roofline. The 3.5-litre V8 engine delivered 292 horsepower—enough to remind rivals that this four-door coupé was no mere styling exercise. North American buyers found a car that blended sedan practicality with coupé attitude.
When the second-generation CLS arrived in 2010, Mercedes repositioned it as a genuine four-door alternative to traditional saloons, targeting buyers who wanted coupe-like proportions without sacrificing rear-seat space. The V8 petrol engine delivered 435 horsepower, while a new V6 diesel option brought 265 hp and efficiency-conscious appeal. North American markets received both
By 2011, the CLS faced stiffening competition from the Porsche Panamera and BMW's Gran Coupé concepts, yet Mercedes held its ground through sheer mechanical substance. The second-generation 3.5-litre V6 delivered 306 horsepower, while the 5.5-litre V8 mustered 402, positioning the sedan against increasingly ambitious rivals. North American buyers found the updated infotainment
By 2012, the refreshed CLS faced stiff competition from the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé and Audi A7—both newer arrivals in the four-door coupé segment. Mercedes answered with revised styling, a more responsive 4.6-litre V8 producing 402 horsepower, and an expanded list of electronic driver aids. North American buyers found the CLS's blend of sport and luxury compelling enough to su
The 2013 refresh brought a more assertive face and engineering refinement to Mercedes' four-door coupé. Under the hood, buyers could choose from a 3.5-litre V6 diesel producing 300 hp or a 5.5-litre V8 petrol good for 402 hp—the latter a commanding answer to Audi's A7 and BMW's 6 Series Gran Coupé in North American showrooms. Transmission options ranged from seven-speed manual
By 2014, the second-generation CLS faced stiffer competition from the Audi A7 and BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé, yet Mercedes broadened its appeal with three engine options across the range. The 306-hp turbocharged V6 became the entry point for North American buyers, while a diesel variant addressed European efficiency demands. This diversified lineup helped the CLS hold ground again
By 2016, the CLS faced stiffer competition from the Porsche Panamera and BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé, yet Mercedes held its ground with a mid-cycle refresh that sharpened the sedan's proportions. The redesigned front fascia and LED headlights signalled intent, while the 3.0-litre V6 producing 329 horsepower ensured performance credentials remained credible. Buyers drawn to four-doo
By 2017, the CLS had reached North American markets as a four-door fastback that occupied its own territory—neither pure sedan nor coupé. The engine lineup ranged from a turbocharged 3.0-litre six producing 258 hp through to the AMG 63 variant with 585 hp from a twin-turbo V8. Buyers in Canada and the US found themselves choosing between a car that looked like a coupé but seate
By 2018, the second-generation CLS had moved to a transversely mounted 3.0-litre inline-six engine producing 340 horsepower, paired with the nine-speed automatic that defined the segment's powertrain benchmark. The platform architecture shifted fundamentally from the previous generation, introducing a rear-wheel-steering system that fundamentally altered how the car responded t
By 2019, the second-generation CLS faced fresh competition from the BMW 8-Series Gran Coupé and Audi's A7 redesign, yet Mercedes offered something distinct: a four-door fastback with saloon space and coupé aggression. The range spanned the 3.0-litre inline-six producing 258 hp through to the AMG 53 variant good for 429 hp. Buyers could specify it as a saloon, coupé, or shooting
By 2020, the second-generation CLS faced intensifying pressure from Porsche's Panamera and BMW's 8-Series Gran Coupé—rivals that had sharpened their own sport-sedan credentials. Mercedes countered with a revised powertrain lineup centred on the turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six producing 362 horsepower, paired with 9-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive.
By 2021, the second-generation CLS arrived in markets worldwide with three powertrain options: a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder producing 258 hp, a 3.0-litre inline-six good for 367 hp, and a plug-in hybrid variant. Buyers could choose between the saloon body and the new shooting-brake estate, each with multiple trim levels and an extensive options catalogue that defined
By 2022, the CLS arrived at a pivotal moment: buyers increasingly demanded electrification, yet the saloon segment itself was contracting. Mercedes positioned this refresh as the ultimate expression of four-door elegance against rivals like the Porsche Panamera and BMW 8 Series Gran Coupé. The redesigned front end and updated infotainment addressed both aesthetic and functional
By 2023, the CLS faced stiffening competition from the Porsche Panamera and BMW M440i—yet Mercedes held firm with its 367-hp turbocharged inline-six and a wheelbase stretched to 2,940 mm. The sedan-coupé formula had matured into a statement of restraint rather than drama. Buyers weighed it against sleeker rivals, but the CLS's integrated MBUX hyperscreen and active suspension t
By 2013, Mercedes positioned the CLS as the four-door coupé that redefined sedan elegance for buyers seeking something beyond conventional executive transport. The new Shooting Brake estate variant arrived that year, offering 540 litres of cargo space with the same swept-back roofline. A refreshed front end and LED headlights standard across the range signalled the mid-cycle up
By 2014, the second-generation CLS faced stiffer competition from the Porsche Panamera and the newly launched BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé, yet Mercedes held ground with a mid-cycle refresh that sharpened the nose and refined the powertrain. The 3.5-litre V6 delivered 306 horsepower, sufficient for the conservative buyer, while the 4.7-litre twin-turbo V8 pushed 435 hp for those wan
By 2015, the CLS had matured into a formidable competitor against the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé and Audi A7. What set Mercedes apart was the introduction of the Shooting Brake variant that year—a sleek estate body grafted onto the same platform, expanding reach beyond traditional saloon buyers. The Austrian market received both configurations in full specification, making this br
The 2016 refresh brought a new turbocharged four-cylinder diesel as the entry point—a 2.1-litre unit producing 170 horsepower, paired with a nine-speed automatic that prioritized efficiency over drama. Higher up sat the AMG variants, where a 4.0-litre biturbo V8 good for 585 hp transformed both saloon and estate into genuinely quick machines. Buyers choosing between this and th
By 2022, the CLS line offered buyers a choice between the 350d diesel and this 350-badged petrol variant, each targeting different priorities. The saloon body dominated the range, though Mercedes' four-door coupé profile remained its defining trait. Standard equipment leaned toward technology and comfort: the MBUX infotainment system, adaptive suspension, and a wealth of driver
By 2015, the CLS 63 AMG had secured its position as the performance benchmark against Porsche's Panamera Turbo and BMW's M6 Gran Coupé. Launched into the Chinese market that year, it delivered 585 horsepower from its 5.5-litre twin-turbocharged engine—enough to eclipse both rivals in straight-line acceleration. Buyers in Shanghai and Beijing were offered what few competitors co
The 2012 CLS Shooting Brake arrived as a four-body proposition: the saloon remained the anchor, but now buyers could choose the coupé, the estate, or this sleek shooting brake variant. Mercedes offered them across multiple powertrains—the 3.5-litre V8 petrol engine produced 435 hp, whilst the diesel alternative delivered 250 hp with considerably lower running costs. Each body s
The 2014 Shooting Brake arrived in Chinese dealerships as Mercedes' answer to a market increasingly drawn to practical luxury. While European buyers had seen wagon variants for two years, the CN market received this configuration with full domestic equipment: dual-zone climate control, the COMAND infotainment suite, and a power tailgate. Rivals in the segment remained thin.
The 2023 lineup offered three distinct body expressions: the four-door saloon, the shooting brake estate, and the cabriolet. Each shared the same turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder producing 435 horsepower, but the configuration choices reflected different buyer priorities. Buyers could layer on AMG Line styling, the 64-colour ambient lighting system, or the performance-tuned
The archive contains 62 original documents for the Mercedes-Benz CLS. This collection includes brochures, dealer catalogs, and press materials spanning multiple decades. Together, they provide comprehensive coverage of the model's evolution and the various versions offered throughout its production run.
The archive spans 2004 to 2023, capturing the entire first generation and beyond. All major model updates and refreshes are documented within this range. This timeline ensures you can track design changes, feature introductions, and market adaptations across nearly two decades.
Absolutely. Original brochures and catalogs are invaluable for restoration projects. They detail trim options, color choices, interior materials, and factory specifications. Using period-correct documentation ensures your restoration stays authentic to the original specification and market variant.
Yes. The collection represents 19 different markets and regional variants. This means you'll find market-specific documentation for different countries and regions. Variations in equipment, styling, and availability across territories are all captured in the archive.
This archive page focuses on the documents themselves as historical artifacts and their provenance. The catalog page presents technical specifications and performance data about the vehicle. Here, we're documenting the literature; there, the machine itself.
The collection includes documentation for the CLS, CLS 350, CLS 63 AMG, AMG CLS 53, and AMG CLS 63. Each variant has its own brochures and dealer materials. This allows direct comparison between standard models and high-performance AMG versions across different generations.
The archive is expanded regularly as new documents are discovered and acquired. The current collection of 62 items is continuously reviewed for completeness. New finds of original brochures and catalogs are added as they become available, keeping the archive current.