The phrase ‘kerb-appeal’ was surely invented for the Mercedes CLS. With its drop-dead gorgeous swooping lines, this car blends head-turning coupe looks with four-door saloon practicality.

It’s a relaxed, luxury cruiser, with a delicious mix of refinement and performance. Parked at the kerb, the CLS has poise and presence in abundance, with the promise of power, pace and luxury. 

I reckon the car packs more visual verve than rivals such as the Audi A7. And the now-standard AMG Line specification means you get 19in alloy wheels and a sporty-looking body kit.

Asian Image:

Asian Life ran the rule over the remarkable 400 d 4MATIC AMG Line Coupé, which houses the most powerful diesel engine (335bhp) of any non-competition Mercedes, with a 0-62mph acceleration time of five seconds and a 155mph top speed while achieving 50.4mpg (maker’s figures).

But for all that plentiful performance on tap, the overall feeling is of great ease. 

With bags of torque at your disposal, the car’s response is pretty much immediate, and the sense of a smooth swathe of power is promoted by the 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel engine mated to a nine-speed automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive. 

Beyond those sleek lines and mechanical muscle, there’s a cossetting experience in store. Slip inside the cabin and you will find top-drawer quality, with classy and expensively tactile surfaces throughout. 

Asian Image:

The interior design is easy on the eye and almost as stylish as that sleek exterior, while delivering an exceptionally comfortable travelling environment. There is more than a touch of the S-Class flagship about this motor.

The CLS is a four-seater due to the design of the roof, which tapers at the top but there is plenty of head and legroom for rear seat passengers. The driving position is excellent, the front seats offering bags of adjustment, just one facet of a peerless motoring experience.

The car comes across as the most able of grand tourers, a motor meant for the long haul and one which allows occupants to step out almost as fresh as they entered thanks to an environment of leather-upholstered, effortless comfort.

Features abound, with the likes of a parking package, including pin-sharp reversing camera, agility control suspension, intelligent lighting, keyless go; heated, powered seats and an electric sunroof. You will also find 12.3in digital dials and a widescreen cockpit display, as well as ambient lighting with a choice of 64 colours.

On the practicality front, there’s a generous 520-litre luggage bay, with powered boot lid.
The marque has long held a reputation for top build quality and mechanical strength, and the CLS certainly evinces that feeling of automotive integrity.

Prices from: £71,075 (inc options).