by Keiichi (RSS feed) August 26th, 2010 at 9:58 am
You’ve seen the official images of the newly-released Mercedes-Benz CLS. But aren’t you wondering how this mighty beautiful machine came about? Apart from the millions of dollar spent on research and development, what really made the new CLS possible are the ideas of the men behind the drawing board. In the gallery below, you’ll see photos of the design process that were taken way, way before the new CLS was released and its official debut that’s set for the Paris Motor Show this October.
The CLS is the only four-door coupe in the premium class, and remains a favorite since its inception in 2004. Mercedes-Benz design head Prof. Gorden Wagener describes the design that is soon to influence the company’s future models. The front is unmistakably drawn from the SLS AMG—large central star and dark elongated inlets for supreme branding and athleticism. Full LED headlamps that are first in the world to feature all modern dynamic headlight functions—around 71 LEDs to illuminate anything that darkness has to offer.
Mercedes-Benz designers brought back ideas from their past sports cars to create the ‘dropping line’ from the nose down to the rear wheels so reminiscent of the company’s rich motoring heritage, while the wide flares above the rear wheels are a sign of pure muscle beneath all the grace. The wrap-around LED taillights further highlight the CLS from both the rear and the sides.
Inside the new CLS, you’ll find timeless interior designing that is highlighted by the wrap-around effect of the front instrument panel sweeping sideways to the doors. A host of interior color configurations, meanwhile, awaits the lucky owner.
There’s so much to be said of the new CLS. Grab the opportunity to see it personally this October in France. Or you could just drool over the photos. Evidently with the new CLS, Mercedes-Benz has and always will be in a class of its own.
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by Muamer Hodzic (RSS feed) August 22nd, 2010 at 3:10 am
We’re not sure if it was because pictures started leaking on to the internet on a daily basis or if this was planned for a late Saturday announcement, but Mercedes-Benz has finally released official photos and info of the all new 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS. It will make its public debut at this years Paris Motor Show, which will take place in early October. We’re extremely happy to not only have had the official pictures, but now have the official information to accompany it.
The CLS-Class created a new vehicle category in 2003 by combining the elegance and expressiveness of a coupe with the comfort and functionality of a sedan. The CLS delighted the public, astounded the competition and created a new style icon: for years the CLS has endured as the only four-door coupe in its class, and since October 2004 it has been the car of choice for around 170,000 buyers worldwide.
“Customers all over the world benefited from our bold move to launch a completely new vehicle concept onto the market”, explains a delighted Dr. Joachim Schmidt, member of the board of Mercedes-Benz Cars, Sales & Marketing. “And with its exciting design, the new edition of the CLS also benefits from the fact that we are a whole generation ahead of the competition with our four-door Coupe.”
Press Release after the break
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by Keiichi (RSS feed) August 21st, 2010 at 8:43 pm
We owe you guys and gals another installment of CLS updates, but this time, we aren’t going to give you renderings. The photos in the gallery below are the next-generation CLS sedan in what seems to be AMG tailoring. We may have been too excited to suggest that previous renderings of the next CLS were in fact its much-awaited AMG variant. This time, however, we’re quite sure that we’re staring at the right creature, unless of course Mercedes-Benz says otherwise.
We could go on and on with the next CLS’ sexy lines, intimidating headlights and taillights, and bold fascia, but we’d rather stick to what really matters when involving anything that rolls out of AMG’s front yard—the engine. You can expect no less than Mercedes-Benz’s all-new 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V8 to charge this baby with so much steroids, you’ll be running out of adrenaline in no time. What’s cool about this is that this engine will soon become standard on all of AMG’s V8-powered creations. So you could more or less say that AMG’s variant of the next CLS will be pioneering this engine, along with the S63 and the CL63.
Performance figures? Let’s just say that it’ll have around 540 horses, plus 590 pound per feet of torque, that it can literally grow hair on your chest. What’s really scary is that, knowing AMG, they’ll be coming up with an upgraded performance kit that will bring these numbers up to goodness knows what. We can already see AMG loyalists calling in to place their reservations.
As for the rest of you digging this, stay tuned. There’s definitely more to come.
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by Keiichi (RSS feed) August 21st, 2010 at 3:51 am
Lend us your eyes and ears! As promised, here are the latest images of what the next-gen CLS will look like. These seem to be official press release photos that have been leaked a few days before the official unveiling. These particularly highlight the new CLS’ powerful aura, especially with its new fascia that takes a lot of styling cues from the SLS AMG.
Take a close look and you might start thinking what we’re thinking—that these pictures may give us hints on what the future CLS’ AMG version with its full sports package will look like. As shown in the pictures, the CLS 350 seems like it’s a Sport version with an AMG body kit. If it isn’t, then at least you can see how refined the CLS evolved. Smooth, powerful lines that are almost alien, intimidating headlights and taillights that will just stop you in your tracks. These small details are what defines the new CLS and gives it a heavily distinct character when even compared with the current CLS.
Step inside and you shall feel ever so privileged. The center console that stretches from front to rear gives a level of exclusivity that are of high semblance with the E-Class and S-Class range. All in all, the next CLS is all set to be the favorite among all Mercedes-Benz favorites. That, we’re quite sure of.
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by Keiichi (RSS feed) August 18th, 2010 at 7:59 pm
Wondering what the next Mercedes-Benz CLS might look like? Well, here’s something to fuel your imagination. These images had been leaked out despite Stuttgart’s best efforts to keep you guys and gals scintillated with anticipation. It’s a four-door coupe that’s just waiting to be queued into the production line.
As you can see, the next CLS will take a lot of design cues from the Shooting Break CLS concept, specifically the front grill and the more raunchy fascia. The sectioned style of the headlights have been retained from the current design, albeit they’re somewhat more slender and a lot more attention-grabbing. The LED arrays that are clearly visible makes you wonder how this baby will appear in the evening, all sexy and intimidating. As with the Shooting Break CLS concept, the rear quarter panels are well-rounded out, giving it that graceful stance that just begs high-speed cruising. More graceful, in fact, than the current CLS.
As you step inside, the exclusive four-seat arrangement plus a full-length cabin console won’t fail to raise you on cloud nine, as if you’re sitting on your very own limousine. The level of refinement? Almost at par with the E-Class and S-Class. Level of comfort? Definitely worth the hype.
Under its powerful yet slender hood, a brand new 3.5-liter direct injected six banger is an option, as well as a twin-turbo 4.6-liter V8 that’s rated at 430 horses and 516 pound-feet of feet-numbing torque. And yes, in case you and everyone else are wondering, there will be an AMG version down the line, and it will surely be blessed with Mercedes-Benz’s brand new 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8.
There you have it—credible leaked images of the next CLS. You can bet your bottom dollar that an official press release will soon follow. Until then, keep tuning in ‘cause we’ll be sure to give you updates.
A big thank you to Marcus Jordan over at the Mercedes-Benz Passion Blog for uncovering those prints
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by Keiichi (RSS feed) August 18th, 2010 at 10:46 am
Despite the financial crisis that plagued the automotive industry in 2009, car manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz haven’t given up from trying to reach more niche markets. Unlike other companies who are afraid that their attempt at tapping into a niche segment would simply draw popularity and thereby kill the main purpose of exclusivity, Mercedes-Benz has plans is to introduce a shooting brake concept, something the company has never tried but is boldly considering.
News of this actually comes after fellow German rival BMW talked to the media about creating a shooting break model of their future 6 Series. It seems Mercedes-Benz wants to enter the fray instead of just passively sit around. Autobild magazine thus reports that Daimler’s breadwinner is considering a shooting brake concept that shall be included in the C-Class range. And since the C-Class is about to be reworked, a shooting break variant would be very much welcome.
If successful, the C-Class shooting break will be called the CLC, and should be something of a mix between a sedan and a wagon, although very much sleeker. The image above, however, is a CLS Shooting Break concept. Although the CLC would probably take up similar design cues. More details to follow, but right now, we’ll leave you to your imagination.
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by Michael Cavinta (RSS feed) August 4th, 2010 at 2:39 am
Mercedes-Benz released a statement that they are ending the their production of the first-generation CLS line up. The news preceded earlier reports this month where BMW’s present generation M5 and M6 have also stopped production. Where the E60 M5 remained as the newest in a line that goes back to the mid 80’s and the M6 stamped BMW’s comeback to a favourite badge. The CLS is usually considered as the model that started the four-door coupe trend.
During the time since the E-Class-based CLS was presented in 2004, the four-door coupe variety has experienced the arrival of Porsche Panamera, Aston Martin Rapide, Volkswagen’s Passat CC and the Audi A5 and A7 Sportback models. Mercedes-Benz has sold over 170,000 varieties of the CLS over its seven years in the market, and the last car to exit the line was a black CLS550 that was geared for the US market. Following suite would be the 2011 CLS that is anticipated to be released late this year with a first-rate positioning, thus letting the German carmaker present a second smaller four-door coupe at a lower price.
Based on the preview rendering, it likely shows of the new style of the CLS under the camouflage. Although there are still no reports with regards to the engine, a V6 and V8 options are a possibility, while a hybrid model based on the S400 BlueHybrid technology is projected to be presented after the release.
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by Michael Cavinta (RSS feed) July 24th, 2010 at 9:22 am
The latest generation Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class model has been partially revealed to spy photographers yet again. This time in a fake AMG disguise, ahead of its launch at the Paris Motor Show later this 2010.
Established on the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Couple Shooting Brake concept, the latest model is far more bold and improved than the past “awkward” model it is geared to replace. Branded by experts as a ‘sheep in wolf’s clothing’, the prototype features an AMG styling package, without the larger sports wheels and performance brake kit which would easily reveal it as part of the AMG line.
Compared to the normal CLS-Class model, the prototype’s front bumper is much more aggressive and boasts of LED daytime running lights in the bumper rather than being fused into the headlamps.
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by Keiichi (RSS feed) July 20th, 2010 at 11:12 pm
With spy shots such as these, how can you not love the upcoming 2011 CLS? Mercedes-Benz hasn’t been very secretive of the redesigned CLS, especially judging from the photo here that comes courtesy of a certain visitor to the Stuttgart Museum in Germany. While visiting the halls of the Silver Arrow, the visitor spotted a crew of photographers snapping away at a bare CLS, with its four doors in full splendor. The visitor was so generous as to share his photo with Noticias Automotivas, providing us with a very close encounter with the new model.
Notice that the new CLS clearly has a more upright front grille amidst the familiar nose design. Its front fender flares are now more apparent especially with its highly-drawn hood design. It’s almost like looking at the recently-revealed 2011 R-Class. The rear of the CLS has been reworked a tad bit more, with more provocative quarter panels for a more slimmer appeal. It’s not as slopey as it used to be, so its much less of a four-door coupe. Still, it’s a new model albeit with hints of traditional styling. Honestly though, fans of the current CLS will definitely still clamor for the new model. It’s all part of the CLS’ undeniable appeal.
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by Michael Cavinta (RSS feed) July 15th, 2010 at 5:41 am
The latest generation Mercedes-Benz CLS was one of the first four-door coupes in the market after it was presented to the public last 2004. According to the reports, the current model is set for a replacement next year. The recent spy photos give us a glimpse at what to anticipate of the latest CLS’ styling which shows much bodywork compared to previous camouflaged earlier test cars have offered. The latest CLS is likely to be presented to the public by the last quarter of next years as a 2011 model, with more positioning thus allowing the German carmaker to present a second smaller four-door coupe at a much lower price. The spy photo present a look at how the CLS might be modified under its camouflage.
Based on the reports, the new Mercedes-Benz CLS copied the new S-Class platform which highlights a wider track compared to the current model. Though there are still no reports with regards to the engine front, it would much likely be a V6 or V8 option, while a hybrid model based on the S400 BlueHybrid technology is anticipated to come out after the launch. The AMG version of the latest CLS has also been spied upon, having a bulkier camouflage compared to the regular model. With regards to the CL 63 AMG released this week, power for the CLS 64 AMG is anticipated to come from Mercedes’ latest 5.5 litre V8 engine, developing upwards of 420kW and 800Nm of torque. Depending on its weight, the car’s 0-100km/h dash is said to be averaging at around 4.6 seconds.
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