Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Wagon, Hatchback, Mercedes-Benz, Diesel, Luxury



We've been anxiously waiting for the wraps to officially come off the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake, and by golly, the wait is finally over. Our excitement, though, is tempered by Mercedes-Benz Manager of Product & Technology Public Relations Christian Bokich, who tells us, "Currently, there are no plans to bring the CLS Shooting Brake to the United States." To which we reply, "Boo!"

While we may take a bit of issue with Mercedes-Benz's assertion that "The proportions of the CLS Shooting Brake are surprising but clearly those of a coupé... but with five doors and a roof which continues through to the rear," we're still pretty keen on the exterior look. "In essence it represents an unprecedented version of a sports car with five seats and a large tailgate," adds M-B, and that much we can mostly agree with.

In reality, this is a low-slung station wagon, similar in execution to the Cadillac CTS Wagon, and it looks great. Based on our observations about the CLS four-door coupe sedan that the Shooting Brake is based on, we expect it to be a great car to drive, as well. Europeans will get two gasoline engines - a 3.5-liter V6 making 306 horsepower in the CLS350 and a 408-hp twin-turbo 4.6-liter V8 in the CLS500 - as well as two diesels - a 2.1-liter four cylinder in the CLS250 CDI and a 3.0-liter V6 in the CLS350 CDI.

All but the four-cylinder are available with either rear- or 4Matic all-wheel drive, the smallest engine making use of the rear wheels only. Acceleration comes in at 7.8 seconds to 62 miles per hour for the CLS250 CDI, 6.7 seconds for the CLS350 and 5.3 for the CLS500. Top speed is limited to 155 mph.

Emphasizing the increased utility over its four-door sibling, Mercedes has fitted the CLS Shooting Brake with optional aluminum loading rails and a wooden load compartment floor. Up to 1,550 liters are available behind the standard power liftgate, and an automatically adjustable air suspension ensures proper ride and handling even with a load in place. There's even an optional towing kit.

We suggest you peruse the press release below for all the details, as well as a handy explanation of how the Shooting Brake got its name.Continue reading Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake gets official

Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake gets official originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



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Autoblog
06-29-2012 04:20 PM

Ugh . . . No!

__________________
" The market, like the Lord, helps those who help themselves. But, unlike the Lord, the market does not forgive those who know not what they do."- Warren Buffett

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 25,000 miles

Yeah, smells like an R-Class (Although the performance of the base model with the 2.1 liter diesel is quite impressive!)

__________________
1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

Everything else aside, that body style is just not working for me . . .

__________________
" The market, like the Lord, helps those who help themselves. But, unlike the Lord, the market does not forgive those who know not what they do."- Warren Buffett

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 25,000 miles

I love the CLS, but the lines just don't work as I wagon. I think I'd rather have a butt-ugly R class before that.

__________________
-James

'85 280GE...sold
'96 Impala SS ~ 6-speed 396
'82 Delorean DMC-12. . . . . . . . . . "Life without knowledge is death in disguise." - Hans-Peter Geerdes

Yes, even the R series body is preferable to that.

__________________
" The market, like the Lord, helps those who help themselves. But, unlike the Lord, the market does not forgive those who know not what they do."- Warren Buffett

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 25,000 miles

FUGLY...

Melt it down and try again.

.