At any rate, the appearance of CLS Shooting Brake bodes well for fans of the rakish design introduced by the CLS coupe. Since the CLS profile calls for a sloping back, Mercedes also seems to have followed that design imperative to the shooting brake variant. Although this does limit cargo height, the length of the overhang indicates that there will be lots of room out back. Engine variants are expected to start with the midrange V6 to the 5.5 liter V8 which, in the AMG version, produces almost 520 horsepower.

One wonders what design school our designer came from but coming up with such a color combination on an otherwise beautiful and trend-setting car is certainly a way to attract attention, but not necessarily clients.

We all know that Mercedes-Benzes are highly complex cars that are masterpieces from the minds of designers and engineers from the company’s tech centers. Unlike the sometimes overwhelming feeds on new models and spyshots that we get on a weekly basis, the design process is not as readily available. But now, a time-lapse video has hit YouTube, showing some elements of the design process, from the proverbial clean sheet of paper, to a digital rendering on a computer, which will become the basis for CAD/CAM processes that make up the steps in automobile production.

As you will see, the video is a demonstration of the design process and not an actual work in progress. For one, the computer has obviously been set up in a conference room and, as we said, some steps are apparently skipped. Some commenters have also noted some faults in the original sketch. But as AMG says, this is a demo of how a great car like the CLS is made into a reality, and for most of the world, it is highly informative.

It is rumored that the baby-CLS (some are even calling it the 4-door coupe version of the C-Class) will be built on the same architecture as the next-gen B-Class. Front-wheel drive will be available for the standard version, whereas the AMG version will get a all-wheel drive system.

Not much is known about the drive system, but if rumors are correct, it could come in a 1.6 and 2.0 liter engine, with 150 and 207 horsepower respectively.

We’re not exactly sure if this is a prototype version of the car being built for internal use, or if Mercedes-Benz is prepping it for the IAA in Frankfurt this September. Either way, we can certainly confirm that these spy shot, taken at the Mercedes-Benz plan in Hungary, look very much like the all-new CLS, but with smaller dimensions, hence the baby-CLS.

Thanks to Visionhu from MBWorld.org for the tip

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The SUV, will take the some designs from the CLS four-door. Despite the details being on hold, an insider revealed to Auto Evolution that it could have the V6 engine that will perform at 306HP and the V8 with 435HP, these will be for the petrol version. Diesel versions could have 3.0L diesel or a hybrid oil-burner also on the E3000 model that will be presented in the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Mercedes-Benz GLS is set to be launched on 2014 after a company insider said last week, “After closely monitoring sales trends, we’ve concluded there is potential for an additional off-road model with a more sporting emphasis than the new M-class.”

Photo source: Mercedes Benz.

With the success of configurator programs over the Internet that lets consumers put together their ideal car from a particular manufacturer, it’s no surprise that applications like these for mobile devices would pop up. For Mercedes-Benz USA, using an iPad app to help promote and market their models was a marketing no brainer.

Particularly, MBUSA has launced an iPad app promoting the 2012 CLS. Primarily a tool for dealership sales associates, this app is also available to the public and can easily be downloaded through the Apple App Store. The user-friendly app includes tours of the interior and exterior of the CLS, as well as giving users the option to customize their own CLS. Available videos show technology demonstrations of what Mercedes-Benz puts into its cars. Mercedes is not stopping with the CLS iPad app. Other model-specific apps will trickle out to the public, coinciding with the release dates of particular models.

Mercedes-Benz has announced prices for its new-generation SLK roadster and CLS coupe line. Suggested retail pricing for the 2012 SLK350 will start at $54,800, while the 2012 CLS550 will begin at $71,300 and the high-performance CLS63 AMG at $94,900. Prices exclude a $875 destination & delivery charge.

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK coupe/roadster represents the third generation of a two-seat sports car that rocked the automotive world when it unveiled the first automatic retractable hardtop in modern times. With the top up it’s a quiet, weather-tight coupe – push a button, and 20 seconds later the car is topless. Like the retractable hardtop of the larger SL model, the rear window of the SLK pivots to match the curvature of the top as it’s being lowered, providing more trunk room than ever.

The SLK350 is powered by a new 3.5-liter V6 that features direct injection and multi-spark ignition. With even more power and better fuel economy than its predecessor, the new SLK engine generates 302 horsepower and 273 lb.-ft. of torque.

The four-passenger 2012 CLS coupe represents the first major redesign of a car that established an entirely new market segment – the four-door coupe, which combines the emotional appeal and dynamic design of a coupe with the comfort and functionality of a
sedan. When it hits the U.S. market in the summer of 2011, the 2012 CLS line will offer a choice of two exciting models, both powered by new biturbo, direct-injection V8 engines. The 4.6-liter CLS550 engine produces 402 horsepower and 443 lb-ft. of torque, and the high-performance CLS63 AMG is powered by a 5.5-liter version of the new V8 that’s rated at 518 hp and 516 lb.-ft of torque.

The new Mercedes SLK, the new-generation C-Class and the new CLS are also sure to be major attractions for the public. All three model series are celebrating their Chinese premiere as representatives of the current model initiative by Mercedes-Benz – 125 years after the invention of the car by Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz.