Mercedes CLS first official pictures

By Paul Bond

August 2010

The success of the uniquely designed first CLS has seen a host of copycat machines from rival manufacturers. These include Porsche’s Panamera and the upcoming Audi A7 Sportback, plus fastback versions of regular saloons such as the Volkswagen Passat CC.

They have all adopted the curving, sweeping shape of the old CLS – but the new model is upping the stakes. Its striking design has evolved to include styling cues from Mercedes’ latest concepts – such as the Shooting Break estate – with a more sculpted, athletic look to replace the cleaner shape of the original car.

The pronounced panel creases plus flared arches and sills, combined with the angular new front end, make the CLS seem lower and wider than the previous model – and hint at the shape of the SLS AMG supercar.

Triple-layered LED headlights house 71 separate diodes and provide everything from the indicators to full-beam illumination – which Mercedes is claiming is a production car first. An additional row of daytime running lamps completes the dazzling effect.

The tail is heavily inspired by the Shooting Break concept that wowed crowds at this year’s Beijing Motor Show. Its large, leaf- shaped rear lights and polished metal strip give an extra touch of class to the high-shouldered, muscle car-style back end.

There will be a wide engine line-up to choose from when the car hits showrooms in January next year, including a 261bhp 3.5-litre V6 diesel, and V6 and V8 petrols with 302bhp and 435bhp respectively.

But the big news is the introduction in March of a four-cylinder oil-burner – a first for the CLS. Producing 204bhp, it will help lower the overall carbon emissions of the entire range.

Although pictures of the cabin haven’t yet been released, it will remain a strict four-seater by keeping the spacious 2+2 layout from before, with a wide centre storage console separating the leather back seats.

The dash will feature the usual wood and hide, but details such as the air vents and steering wheel will be picked out with gloss metal inserts. All these changes are designed to move the CLS further away from its less prestigious impersonators, and re-establish Mercedes’ reputation for unrivalled build quality and luxurious performance cars.