The first official image and details of the Mercedes-Benz CLS Shoot Brake have surfaced ahead of the new car’s scheduled debut at the Paris Motor Show in September 2012.
With styling remaining close to the original CLS Shooting Brake concept first seen in 2010, the production CLS Shooting Brake, which was spied testing in March, stands to be one of the prettiest new Mercedes models to go on-sale when it reaches European showrooms in November.
Although sharing many components with the CLS four-door coupe, the CLS Shooting Brake is unique from the A-pillar backwards, thanks primarily to a longer wheelbase that offers extra legroom for rear passengers, together with extra cargo space – 595-litres, or 1 550-litres with the rear seats folded down. Customers of the luxurious Shooting Brake will be able to specify cherry-wood decking for the cargo area and/or fine porcelain accents in the cabin. If this seems a little ‘over the top’, regular leather and wood trim will also be available.
Initially, the CLS Shooting Brake will be offered exclusively with diesel engines: the CLS250 CDI with 150 kW and the CLS350 CDI with 195 kW. Details of petrol-powered models are expected to be announced closer to the car’s launch, but a CLS63 AMG version is almost certain. The CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake is likely to employ the firm’s twin-turbo 5.5-litre V8, tuned to similar levels of power as the current CLS63 AMG – 386 kW and 700 Nm of torque. Performance figures should be in the region of 4.5 seconds for the 0 – 100 km/h sprint and the usual limited top speed of 250 km/h.
The original story was published by Auto Express, but it seems the Brits may have jumped the gun on an embargo, as the story has been removed for their website. Whatever the case may be, we expect more details of the Shooting Brake to be released in the near future, so stay tuned.
