Three Cars That Are Both Driver's Cars and Exceptionally Comfortable

This February, the second generation of theMercedes-Benz CLS-Class, which ignited the four-door coupe trend, arrived in Japan. Following closely, Audi launched its five-door coupe,the A7 Sportback, in May. Recently, OPENERS conducted a test drive in Hakone with three models: the CLS 350 BlueEFFICIENCY, the A7 Sportback, and the CLS 63 AMG, a high-performance variant of the CLS-Class.

In terms of body size, theA7, which shares its platform with Audi's flagship sedan, the A8, is slightly larger (50mm longer, 29mm wider, and 14mm taller). However, its flowing side profile and sloping roofline emphasize its stylishness. The CLS, while marginally more compact, presents a powerful front face with a prominent three-pointed star and bold lines along its sides, giving it a muscular impression. Each model boasts a distinctive design.

Mr. Satoshi Watanabe, who served as the driver. Readers accompanied him, experiencing the performance of each model firsthand.

Astonishment During the Test Drive Ride-Along

This was OPENERS' first test drive event with reader participation. Four avid car enthusiasts, responding to our call on Twitter and Facebook, joined us early in the morning. They were given a behind-the-scenes look at how our car reviews are created and, as a highlight, had the opportunity to ride along with our tester, Satoshi Watanabe, during his test drive in Hakone. While the goal was to let them experience the appeal of each model in a real-world setting, something that cannot be fully conveyed through web articles or print, OPENERS aims to contribute to the development of car culture by sharing the wonder and enjoyment of automobiles with our readers through similar initiatives in the future.

The weather that day was partly cloudy. After gathering at the Ebina Service Area for introductions, we headed for Hakone. Mr. Watanabe took the wheel of the A7, and the readers joined him to begin the test drive. We then proceeded to test drive the CLS 63 AMG and CLS 350 in sequence. While photography was conducted concurrently, one particularly memorable moment was the collective gasp of "Ooh!" from everyone when the engine hood of the CLS 63 AMG was opened. The meticulous design extended to areas not usually visible, and the engine housed within was breathtakingly beautiful. Despite the temperature rising rapidly and everyone present getting a sunburn, the test drive concluded successfully.

We have received comments from the readers who participated, which are included below.

"Kumiko Shimizu, Web Production Company Employee"

"I thought it was a fun event, simply calling for readers on Twitter and Facebook to experience a test drive! Among the cars I rode in, the A7 Sportback left the best impression. The ride comfort was superb, and I was moved by the way the torque surged powerfully from below. It's a well-balanced car overall. As expected, the Mercedes was overwhelming; the interior was luxurious, and the driving performance was convincing. I imagine it would be incredibly fun to go on a drive in it. It's rare to have the opportunity to test drive them back-to-back, so I truly appreciate this valuable experience!"

"Twitter ID: miiin3, Graphic Designer"

"Since we were driving in an area I often frequent, the car's movements and acceleration were easy to understand and compare. Of the three cars I rode in, the CLS 63 AMG left the strongest impression. It was exactly what I was looking for! I also loved the engine's presentation and felt I had to have it. On the other hand, considering the styling and performance-to-cost ratio, the A7 is also an incredibly superb car. This public test drive was a truly great experience. If you plan another event, I'll take time off work to participate!"

"Tomonori Tsuchiya"

"Mr. Satoshi Watanabe's commentary was sharp and thorough, as expected from a professional perspective, making the car's characteristics very clear. Because we were riding along on the winding roads of Hakone, which cannot be experienced in the city, the differences in performance were distinct. The comments from the other participants, with their differing perspectives, were also helpful."

"Osamu Yamaguchi, Self-Employed"

"The best part was being able to ride with Mr. Satoshi Watanabe's driving and hear his commentary directly. By test driving each model consecutively, I clearly understood their differences. Ride comfort and engine sound are difficult to convey through magazines or the web. Having the opportunity to experience them like this is invaluable. I enjoyed this event, which also served as a tour."

The full test drive impressions by Satoshi Watanabe will be published next week, August 17 (Wednesday)! Before the full article is released, we will stream an in-car report movie by Mr. Watanabe on Ustream on August 15 (Monday)! Stay tuned!

Furthermore, OPENERS plans to continue holding similar public review events with different car models. We will announce future events on Twitter and Facebook, so if you are interested, please join us!