Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake

These are the official images of Mercedes-Benz’s latest CLS Shooting Brake. Its arrival heralds the expansion of the CLS range to two models, and for the first time since the debut of the original CLS in 2004, beauty and practicality can be had together.

In terms of proportion, the CLS Shooting Brake is quite clearly, still a coupé, but with five doors and a roof which continues all the way to the rear. At 4,956mm in length, it is just 16mm longer than the coupé. However, it promises 590 litres of boot space.

In a nod to the original horse drawn Shooting Brakes carriages of a bygone era (the name was once given to carriages used to “break” in wild horses and also to restrict or “brake” their urge to move, so that they could be put to use as work horses), the luggage compartment floor is finished in fine cherry tree wood and inlaid with aluminium rails. Meanwhile, the CLS Shooting Brake’s body is constructed mainly of aluminium to keep weight in check.

A total of four engine variants are available – two petrol and two diesels. All four engines are mated with a 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission with the ECO start/stop function. The CLS Shooting Brake will also be available with all-wheel-drive in certain markets – the CLS 350 CDI 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCY and the CLS 500 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCY.

The entry-level model is the CLS 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY producing 150 kW (204 hp). Combined fuel consumption is 5.3 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres, and equivalent to CO2 emissions of 139g/km. Coming in above this are the two six-cylinder models: the CLS 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY producing 195 kW (265 hp) and the CLS 350 BlueEFFICIENCY producing 225 kW (306 hp). The top-of-the-range model is the CLS 500 BlueEFFICIENCY, with a V8 bi-turbo engine producing 300 kW (408 hp) that achieves 0-100km/h in 5.3 seconds.

Technological highlights on the new CLS Shoot Brake includes the optional dynamic full LED High Performance headlamps, which is said to combine the exciting colour elements of LED technology – similar to those of daytime driving lights – with the performance, functionality and energy efficiency of today’s bi-xenon headlights.

On the safety front, Active Blind Spot Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist are available as part of the Driving Assistance package Plus, in combination with DISTRONIC PLUS, BAS PLUS and the PRE-SAFE® Brake. Both assistance systems are not only able to detect an unintentional lane change or vehicles in the blind spot, but can also correct the direction of travel by gentle brake intervention if the driver ignores the visual or audible danger warnings.

The Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake is expected to go on sale later this year.

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