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Mercedes CLS Shooting Break

Sensational Shooting Break makes its debut at this week’s Beijing Motor Show – and previews the exciting new face for the three-pointed star

Mercedes CLS Shooting Break

By Tom Phillips

19th April 2010

Get a load of this! Mercedes is pulling the wraps off this stunning new Shooting Break at the Beijing Motor Show this week. The dramatic-looking machine follows in the footsteps of the two-door Concept Fascination and bold F800 – signalling a new dawn for the firm’s design.

From the B-pillar forwards, the Shooting Break reveals Mercedes’ next CLS – due to make its debut at this October’s Paris Motor Show. The ornate LED headlights, which contain 71 individual diodes, will be toned down for production. But the elegantly sculpted bumper and striking creases, which run down each flank, are all likely to be included on the final car. Also making the cut is the stylish ‘soft nose’, which not only looks great, but also conforms to the latest pedestrian impact crash test regulations.

From the B-pillar back, the show car reveals an altogether different insight into Mercedes’ plan for the CLS – with the model line-up’s first estate. The concept is the work of the brand’s president of design, Gorden Wagener. Since moving from his post as head of Mercedes Advanced Design in America in 2008, the German has made his presence felt. The new SLS AMG and E-Class set the tone for his work, which is focused on creating streamlined and aerodynamic cars.

The Shooting Break follows this format, particularly with the tailgate, which has an integrated spoiler to cut drag. However, while the side glass features a smooth coupé-style curve, the roofline is more similar to that of an estate than a car like rival BMW’s 5-Series GT – so rear luggage room is less compromised.  

Wagener says that his favourite period in design is Art Deco, and that is evident from the newcomer’s retro interior. In particular, the front and rear air vent grilles, which are overlaid with aluminium, and the ornate Mercedes script on the door sills, make functional parts of the cabin decorative.

Luxury is paramount – the concept is a strict four-seater, with a large panoramic roof helping to bathe the interior with light. Everywhere you look is lavish chocolate brown and cream leather. There are some clever details, too, especially in the load space, which incorporates secure storage for items ranging in size from laptops to golf balls.

Mercedes hasn’t shied away from the striking design themes which were so well received in the original CLS. The pronounced curve that runs around the dash top and blends into the front doors is retained. But the car is being taken upmarket, as the quality of the switchgear on the centre console is very similar to that in the latest S-Class – even the analogue clock is carried over.

Under the bonnet, the concept previews Mercedes’ new family of direct-injection V6 engines, which will debut in the facelifted CL in the summer. Called V-generation, the 3.5-litre unit produces 302bhp and 370Nm, and features Mercedes’ fuel-saving BlueEfficiency technology.

The rear end may be more concept than reality, but company bosses are eager to build it. As BMW has done with the 5-Series GT, Mercedes is keen to increase the number of niche models it spins off each platform.

Confusingly, the E-Class Coupé and Cabrio are based on the underpinnings from the latest C-Class. The new CLS saloon will use mechanicals from the E-Class, and the Shooting Break version would extend the reach of the platform – and aim to offer the same experience as the 5 GT.

It’s also interesting that Mercedes has chosen to give the newcomer its first public airing in China. Luxury car buyers in that part of the world tend to favour large saloons – as we revealed on Page 12, BMW will display a sumptuous new four-door coupé at Beijing this week, alongside an extended version of its latest 5-Series. So it seems
unusual that the Shooting Break will also debut in Beijing. However, top brass are keen to test the waters.

The Chinese market is growing at a rapid rate, and the country’s largest car expo is quickly becoming one of the world’s most influential motor shows, overtaking Tokyo and snapping at the heels of the Detroit event. If showgoers respond favourably to the idea of luxury, business class estates – and the chances are they will – Mercedes will push the car into production quickly to capitalise.

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19 Comments

Shooting brake not shooting break, please.

By Wyllie3 on 20 April, 2010, 10:48am

Shooting brake not shooting break, please.

By Wyllie3 on 20 April, 2010, 10:54am

Absolutely Right!

It indeed should be Shooting Brake not Break!

A little dissapointing in this shape, I was looking forward to seeing a true 2door estate back, which is what I would call a Shooting Brake! This is more like, well, an estate!

By tiveroz on 20 April, 2010, 1:34pm

Break not Brake

Yes, I agree - but Mercedes has chosen to name the car Shooting Break. You can just see the nameplate on the back of the car. Break comes before Brake in the history books, at least - referencing breaked, or braked, horse drawn carriages that could be used for training.

By DanStrong2 on 20 April, 2010, 1:34pm

Break in Europe

I'm pretty sure that "Break" is an accepted term for estate in mainland Europe. As a boy I remember dismantling my Dad's BX estate, and finding the parts peculiar to the estate model labelled "Break". Unless of course Citroen was just predicting what would happen to most of the bits in the future...

By BARNEYM1979 on 20 April, 2010, 3:56pm

Wagener must have spent too much time at Chrysler. Love the concept, but that beak is too derivative of Dodge trucks and other macho look Chrysler products.

3Deuce27... "Little Beirut"

By 3Deuce27 on 20 April, 2010, 4:05pm

Who cares about the name?

What does it matter what its called this is a beautiful looking car. It the best design Mercedes have come up with in a long time. The interior looks fabulous. Even the engine compartment is a work of art! Hope it hits the showrooms soon. 10/10

By bigbazza on 20 April, 2010, 6:13pm

Language difficulties?

The volume production "shooting brakes" of the past were manufactured by British and American companies where English was the common language, so that's how it is for us.
Mercedes is not a Far Eastern company struggling with an alien language, alphabet, etc., and they're entitled to give their car whatever name they choose.
But as - undoubtedly - they will be looking for significant sales of this vehicle in North America, it's surprising that this spelling point wasn't picked up before signing off the car. Or was it?
Any leaks, reports of marketing or engineering meetings where the name choice was discussed or challenged? Any Mercedes mole willing to come forward and clarify this irritating "spelling mistake" ?

By akaRazz on 20 April, 2010, 6:26pm

The correct term is 'Shooting Brake' deriving from a vehicle which carried a Gentleman and his Gamekeeper. In France, the term Break de Chasse was used for roughly the same thing and both terms eventually came to mean an Estate car [a vehicle used on estate] or Station Wagon. So in English- 'Shooting Brake', or in French-simply'Break'. As it's a German car though trust them to mix up the names!

By roverman6 on 20 April, 2010, 6:51pm

Brake Break - who cares

What a departure from the boring & ugly Benz's of late.
This wagon is gorgeous. Thank god they have changed the dash - looks more BMW (who have the nicest dashes in their latest models.) Good show Mercedes.

By larrygold on 20 April, 2010, 11:32pm

Well, "Break" is not a good word when associated with a car.

Maybe they should have called it a Schusswagen or something similar.

At any rate, it really does look good - pity they hadn't adopted its nose as their "corporate statement" instead of the busy, rhomboid infested front end they have chosen.

By Wyllie3 on 21 April, 2010, 11:16am

'break' and 'brake'

Just wanted to check that my understanding of 'break' and 'brake' is correct. Now, i think this car has something even though i am a kinda person who goes for an audi tt. Melding the new with old is something which needs to come out in a lot of car companies. It reminds me of an old station wagon from the 70's from the inside i.e. hint of the brown in the interior and a futuristic space ship from the outside. I don't know about the smiley face front end which reminds me too much of the likes of a peugoet . No matter which way this car is moulded its still ugly in a peculiar mercedes type of way.

By charliecrocker on 21 April, 2010, 12:04pm

Judd

What a shed!! Obviously drawing from its saloon stablemate , the "styling" looks just like a slug. If this is beauty, give me a Skoda!!

By k11873524 on 21 April, 2010, 6:40pm

Not even near a shooting brake.

Sorry but that merc is not a shooting brake and never will be,
Obviously the Germans are unaware what a shooting brake was used for.
A genuine shooting brake had a wooden frame outside of the car, and the last one that I remember being made like that was the Morris 1000 traveller, not a true shooting brake but close.
A shooting brake was roomy enough to load up the tents and guns etc, and sturdy enough to go a short distance across rough ground to find a decent camping spot in order to pitch camp.

By Bobbybev on 21 April, 2010, 6:41pm

hello

it's great

By dimos on 24 April, 2010, 2:02pm

GMR

The last 'Shooting Brake' I remember was the Aston Martin Virage Shooting Brake which I thought looked fantastic. I was not aware that it was a european thing to call estates 'breaks' as some have said in the above coments, in my mind however a 'Shooting Brake' is a two door with an estate back. Without the official 'SB' title the last I remember being made was the BMW Z3M Coupe.

By tiveroz on 27 April, 2010, 4:46pm

looking good Mercedes... unlike BMW

By sasander on 28 April, 2010, 12:45pm

Amazing

This is the most beautiful car i have ever seen, will it make it onto our roads. the lines are sleek and dynamic truly a masterpiece

By v12petrolhead on 3 June, 2010, 4:39pm

Mercboy10

You bys need to get a life Break - Brake what does it matter when a car looks this good you just have to admire!!!

By Mercboy10 on 24 June, 2010, 4:27pm

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