The Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake has been officially unveiled, with the German manufacturer describing the segment-busting ‘four-door coupe wagon’ as “automotive independence at its most beautiful”.
The niche within a niche Shooting Brake range mirrors the line-up of the existing Mercedes CLS, with matching specifications and powertrain options.
Mercedes-Benz Australia is yet to finalise the local CLS Shooting Brake line-up, although it is expected to offer up to four Shooting Brake variants from November/December: the CLS350, CLS350 CDI diesel, CLS500, and the yet-to-be-revealed CLS63 AMG performance flagship.
The CLS350 is powered by a 225kW/370Nm 3.5-litre V6, which launches from 0-100km/h in 6.7 seconds and uses 7.3 litres of fuel per 100km. The 195kW/620Nm 3.0-litre V6-powered CLS350 CDI is one-tenth quicker at 6.6 seconds, yet uses just 6.0L/100km on the combined cycle.
The 4.7-litre twin-turbo V8 under the bonnet of the CLS500 produces 300kW of power and 600Nm of torque, and helps the sleek Merc to triple figures in 5.3 seconds while burning through 9.2L/100km.
Mercedes-Benz has not yet confirmed the output of the CLS63 AMG, although like the rest of the line-up it will match that of its four-door coupe counterpart, with a 386kW/700Nm 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 capable of racing from 0-100km/h in around 4.5 seconds.
All models are teamed with a seven-speed automatic transmission with stop-start technology for enhanced efficiency.
Similar to the E-Class Estate, the Shooting Brake will come with a price premium over the standard CLS, likely to be approximately $5000.
Mercedes says the CLS Shooting Brake is designed for “people looking to differentiate themselves from the mainstream, and who do not wish to compromise on either sportiness or stowage space when it comes to travelling in style”.
At 4956mm long, 1881mm wide and 1413mm tall, the CLS Shooting Brake is 16mm longer and 3mm lower than the CLS four-door coupe, and 61mm longer, 27mm wider and 102mm lower than the E-Class Estate. Unlike the four-door-only CLS, the CLS Shooting Brake comes standard with three seats in the second row.
The Shooting Brake’s 590-litre boot is 70 litres larger than the standard CLS, but 105 litres smaller than the E-Class Estate. The CLS Shooting Brake features a cherry tree wood boot floor with inlaid smoked oak and aluminium rails, which Mercedes says is inspired by the elegance and craftsmanship of a yacht.
Five interior colours, five trim designs and three qualities of leather increase the potential for personalisation. Three types of wood, piano black plastic, carbonfibre, satin-finish and high-gloss metals and porcelain can be interwoven to create a bespoke cabin.
The Shooting Brake follows the CLS in offering full dynamic LED high-performance headlights, a feature that Mercedes says 95 per cent of customers have opted for.
More than a dozen driving assistance systems are either standard or available as an option, including active blind spot assist, active lane keeping assist, active cruise control and Pre-Safe automatic braking system.
Australian prices and specifications will be revealed closer to the launch of the Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake in the coming months.