Just ahead of the launch of the new E-class saloon this weekend, the second-generation Mercedes CLS has been spotted on test in Germany.
The coupe-style saloon will get a full revamp at the end of the year and, although the new Mercedes CLS is expected to be a little more elegant-looking than the current one, it will retain the low roofline and small glasshouse.
Despite the heavy cladding covering the lower half of the Mercedes CLS’s body, the new roofline is clearly visible, along with the neater rear window.
Front-end styling will be a mix of the Mercedes E-class saloon and the E-class coupe, with Mercedes’ sports grille with the large three-pointed star as standard.>>See the leaked pics of the new Mercedes E-class
>> See the spy pics of the E-class coupe
Like the saloon it’s based on, the new Mercedes CLS will be longer and wider than the current car, which will help to create more room inside, and wider tracks front and rear.
The new Mercedes CLS will also get its own fascia and interior styling to help differentiate it from the E-class saloon.
All the petrol engines will be turbocharged, and there is the possibility of a four-cylinder petrol Mercedes CLS, too, as Mercedes concentrates on cutting the average CO2 emissions of its range.
When it was launched in 2004, the CLS had no direct competition. The new CLS, however, will face rivals from Audi (the new A7, due to be unveiled in Detroit on Sunday) and potentially BMW, if the production version of the CS concept is revived.
The Mercedes CLS has also helped to inspire the styling of cars such as the VW Passat CC, Aston Martin Rapide and the next Jaguar XJ.
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