The world’s first four-door Coupe, the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class, is now even more distinguished and powerful with the introduction of the new Mercedes CLS Grand Edition. Only 560 units will be coming to the UK, with deliveries starting in July.

There is a choice of five colors, including, for the first time on the CLS, Palladium Silver.

For those customers who want an even more exclusive look there is also the option of the unique designo Palladium Silver Matt Paint, which is not only eye catching, but also highly scratch and dirt-resistant.

Since the CLS launched in 2005 over 14,500 units have been sold and the success story will gain a boost with the introduction of the Mercedes CLS Grand Edition. Features include stunning 18” AMG 5 spoke alloy wheels with a Titanium Grey finish, front grille louvers and headlamp housings in a Palladium silver matt finish and floor mats with Grand Edition Badging.

Diesel power accounts for over seventy per cent of CLS-Class sales in the UK and is the focus for this special edition as well. The Mercedes CLS Grand Edition boasts a power upgrade of 48 hp which takes the overall power of the CLS 350 CDI V6 to 272 hp. This twinned with a 50 Nm increase in torque has resulted in 0-62 mph being achieved in 6.5 seconds, an improvement of half a second, without any compromise to the combined fuel consumption of 37.2 mpg or CO2 emissions of 215 g/km.

Style and performance are important, but so is safety. In the Mercedes CLS Grand Edition the driver benefits from the Bi-Xenon Light Package as standard including the Cornering Light Function and the Active Light System. Cornering Light Function improves safety when driving slowly and on tight bends using the low beam headlamps and fog lights to illuminate the area to the side of the vehicle. The Active Light System improves road illumination in corners by up to 90% enabling the driver to see 25 meters further along an extended bend with a radius of 190 meters.

The Mercedes CLS Grand Edition offers more visual and design enhancements, even better performance and increased safety features from £48,445 on the road. This represents a price premium of just £2,495.00 over the standard CLS 350 CDI for £4636.60 worth of extra equipment, resulting in £2,141.60 of added value for the customer.

The fashion activities of Mercedes-Benz in over 20 countries now have a new face. International top model Julia Stegner will make her first appearance as the fashion brand-ambassador at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin Autumn/Winter 2009, which will take place from 28 January to 1 February 2009 at Bebelplatz, in the heart of Berlin. At a recent photo shoot for the new key visual, Julia Stegner posed together with the Mercedes-Benz CLS 350 CGI Grand Edition in outfits by Anne Valerie Hash. The new key visual will appear on advertisements, posters and vehicles at the only German fashion show that ranks among the top international events.

“With Julia Stegner as brand ambassador, we have given our long-term, international fashion activities a fascinating and world-famous face,” says Anders Sundt Jensen, Vice President Brand Communications Mercedes-Benz Cars. “She particularly represents the connection between German origin and international flair. That’s why in our key visual we have very consciously placed Julia Stegner together with the new Mercedes-Benz CLS Grand Edition, which will be launched on the market in March 2009.” The unique, four-door coupe features an unusual design that combines the sporty elegance of a coupe with the flair of a luxury sedan. Sales of this special model are scheduled to start in January, 2009.

Michelangelo di Battista, one of the most sought-after fashion photographers in the world, staged the encounter between the top model and the design trendsetter by the Stuttgart based carmaker. “The idea was to pick up the red carpet situation at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Weeks and thus create a strong connection between fashion and the vehicle’s elegance,” explains Michelangelo di Battista. The design of the key visual is based on the link between Mercedes-Benz Design and fashion: style, elegance and luxury. “Mercedes-Benz and fashion – they really fit together well. I think Mercedes-Benz cars are chic – just like fashion. So I’m delighted to be the international fashion brand-ambassador for Mercedes-Benz,” says Julia Stegner.

For the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin Autumn/Winter 2009, the international top model will fly in from New York, where she has been living since 2004. “I’m very much looking forward to the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin. Berlin is such a vibrant city. I really like to be there,” says Julia Stegner.