Merc tops and tails CLS

Mercedes has introduced a series of blink-and-miss-them changes to the looks of the CLS four-door coupé, but under the skin there are big changes. The most important addition is the CLS 280, which uses a 231bhp 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine to offer a cheaper entry point to the CLS line-up.

The new V6-engined model has a seven-speed automatic gearbox as standard, which contributes to 0-62mph in 7.7 seconds and a top speed of 153mph. The CLS 280 is also capable of 28.8mpg combined economy, which will help it appeal to company car buyers.

The CLS 280, like all updated models in the range, comes with a redesigned three-spoke steering wheel and restyled instrument cluster with white dials. On the outside, the front grille now has two louvres instead of earlier cars' four and there are new LED rear lights and side indicators arranged in an arrow shape for clearer signalling. There's also a reshaped rear bumper and new exhaust pipes.

At the other end of the scale, Mercedes has given the CLS 63 AMG a work over, though the 514bhp 6.2-litre V8 remains unchanged. There is, however, a new sports exhaust to emphasise the engine's noise that exits through a new pair of twin oval pipes. The gearbox is now programmed to blip the throttle on downshifts to smooth out changes, which Mercedes says helps keep the CLS 63 more stable when driven on track.

To tell the revised CLS 63 apart from the earlier car, there's a new black-painted radiator grille with two instead of three louvres and new 19-inch alloy wheels as standard. Inside, there's a new three-spoke steering wheel with contours to mould itself to the shape of the driver's hands, and this is finished in perforated leather. You can also order a steering wheel with a flat bottom as an option.

The revised CLS models are on sale in March and can be ordered now.

Alisdair Suttie