The new CLS blends the "banana shaped" body of the outgoing model with styling elements Mercedes-Benz's latest cars such as the E-Class Coupe's heavily shouldered rear wheel arches and the more dramatic front-end design, all previewed on the CLS Shooting Brake Concept.
There are no photos of the interior, but don't expect to see something entirely different the concept study.
Despite the fact that the hottest version of the CLS family will retain the CLS 63 AMG moniker, the car won't get the naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 engine. Instead it will be propelled by the Stuttgart's newly developed 5.5 liter bi-turbo V8 powerhouse.
No, Mercedes-Benz has yet to reveal the next-generation of its CLS sports sedan. The Germans may have [somewhat] previewed the new CLS through the Shooting BreakConcept, but the actual production model will most likely be unwrapped at this Fall's Paris Motor Show.Nonetheless, Mercedes-Benz tuning specialists Lorinser has published a teaser drawing of the upcoming 2011 CLS all-dressed up in a sporty bodykit that includes a unique grille, hood scoops, modified bumper, chunky side skirts, fender vents and extended wheel arches that house 21-inch light-alloy wheels.
What we can expect is this: a possible debut at this September's Paris motorshow, showing off the SLS "soft nose" with its much more appealing headlights. Down the sides there will probably be more crisp, current-E-Class lines through the rear quarters.
Under-hood we'll likely see the Shooting Break concept's 306-horse 3.5 liter V6, putting it square against anything mid-size entry-level luxury starting with 5 or ending with 6 (that's BMW's 5-Series and Audi's A6).
First off, the engine is a 3.5 liter V6 previewing the next generation of V-engines from Mercedes that develops 306 horsepower (225 kW) and 273 lb-ft (370 Nm). And that's the least interesting part about the car.
Design-wise, it inherits the SLS's "soft nose" with world-premier dynamic full-LED headlamps, "which for the first time offer all of the regular dynamic light functions using LED technology."
Just because it's meant to foreshadow future design themes, that doesn't mean it's not green. After all, this is Geneva and we're all living in the 21st century.
That means its power train consists of a 272-horse V6 connected to a 109-horsepower electric motor powered by a lithium-ion battery that can be recharged at home (or at those recharging stations all these other plug-ins use). Much like other electric motors, output here has been limited; actual output is around 136 horsepower.
The new concept model serves two purposes: first, it samples Mercedes-Benz's new and more dynamic design language that will be first applied on the next-generation CLS sports saloon, which is expected later this year, and second, it is believed to preview a smaller brother to the CLS.
If Mercedes-Benz goes ahead and produces the CLC, the four-door saloon with the coupe-like roofline and aggressive stance will most probably slot between the C-Class and E-Class models in terms of size and pricing.
"Creativity and inspiration are always the driving forces behind outstanding engineering achievements," said Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars.
"With this work of art, we want to express the characteristic Mercedes-Benz design and, at the same time, convey an impression of our forthcoming new models."
Despite the fact that Mercedes-Benz avoided to say which exact car the sculpture with its blistered wheel arches and rounded tail hints at most, we assume that it gives away clues for the next-generation CLS four-door sports sedan.
