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 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 Keiichi (RSS feed) June 8th, 2010 at 7:34 pm
You’ve seen spy photos of the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS without any camouflage, and you know you want it. So how’s about sprinkling a little gasoline into the fire just to kick up your hidden desires a little? Well, here’s what the upcoming version of the CLS will look like with a little nudging from the boys down at Lorinser—yes, the German car tuning company. As a matter of fact, it’s sort of a Lorinser tradition to release to their loyal customers artist renditions of what they’re planning to do with up-and-coming models, so here goes.
To kick off, the new CLS will be wearing a full body kit to give it that more aggressive stance. There’ll be larger intakes on a newly-designed bumper, a sports-type grille and a cool pair of LED daytime running lights to really announce its presence even under the sun. On top of it is an incredibly rapacious hood that’s flanked by a couple of laid back air vents.
Looking at the Lorinser CLS from the side, you’ll see a set of side skirts and air vents bored onto the front wheel fenders. The air vents, as expected, wear the same type of bold grille design that’s used on the front grille. There’s also an abundance of Lorinser logos so you won’t be mistaken who’s behind the makeover.
Try not to drool over the duo-colored rims so much. You’ll be enjoying the car a lot more once you hear its modified engine sing from behind the wheel.
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by Keiichi (RSS feed) May 30th, 2010 at 7:36 pm
Here’s more details on the much-awaited CLS. We’re all aware that Mercedes-Benz is phasing out its 5.5-liter V8 with replacements being built in Bad Canstatt. Well, guess what? There’s news saying that the latest V8, featuring direct injection and turbochargers, will make its debut on the 2011 model. How cool is that?
The latest CLS may be badged as the CLS460 Doppel-Kompressor, owing to the new 4.6-liter V8. Despite it being smaller than the previous V8 model, the new engine is no pushover. In fact, it’s even more powerful. Capable of delivering 429 hp and 516 lb-ft, it’ll do short work of the old V8 which only has 382 hp and 391 lb-ft in base form. And with the added power comes greater fuel economy – roughly around 20 percent of what the previous V8’s EPA rating.
In case you’re wondering, direct injection refers to the use of a fuel injector to ‘directly’ spray fuel into the combustion chamber. It’s like taking a syringe full of adrenaline and sticking the needle into your heart. It’s that deadly efficient. Couple that technology with a pair of turbochargers, and you’re looking at instantaneous power with a dab of your right foot. It’s also worth mentioning that MB tuned the twin-turbos for inexplicably low-rpm boost, meaning you’ll get all the torque your brain tissues can withstand as early as 1,600 rpm. Nasty.
Even though it’s designated for model year 2011, expect the latest CLS to debut as early as this year, probably around fall. Watch out.
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by Matt (RSS feed) May 26th, 2010 at 7:19 pm
Our friends at SecretNewCars.COM have just posted this stunning image of the upcoming CLS’ front. The shot is much clearer than earlier spy shot. Looking great and very very modern and aggressive.
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