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2018 Mercedes-Benz CLS spied testing

UPDATE: Revealing new images have been added to this article's gallery, including a first look at the new CLS's interior.



The next-generation Mercedes-Benz CLS has been spied during development testing in Germany this week.

Despite the swirly black-and-white camouflage, the CLS's four-door coupe silhouette is clearly on display, as are the visual similarities to the new E-Class Coupe.

Reports suggest that although the swooping new sedan is understood to share its running gear with the E-Class, it will retrain the CLS badge rather than switch to CLE. This is yet to be confirmed, however.

The vehicle in the images looks very much like a stretched version of the recently-revealed E-Class Coupe, with the new Mercedes-Benz corporate coupe rump visible through the disguise and sloping roofline.

The CLS is set apart from the E-Class most clearly by its narrow headlight design, along with almost Volkswagen-like tail lamps at the rear.

The cabin presents no surprises, with the new CLS taking its cues again from the E-Class. That means there's a broad two-tier dash design with a set of four centre-mounted circular vents standing out as the key styling piece.

In terms of motivation, the new CLS will likely borrow its engine range from the new E-Class sedan, which includes a range of turbocharged petrol and diesel engines in four-, six- and eight-cylinder configurations.

A high-performance AMG variant is also a strong possibility, with the 450kW/850Nm 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 from the AMG E63 S the likely powerplant for a CLS63 S flagship.

Thanks to the shared underpinnings with the E-Class family, there is also a possibility a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the CLS could be offered.

However, it's believed the beautiful CLS Shooting Brake body style won't make it to the next generation, due to low sales of the current version.

Timing of the new CLS is still unknown, with the company's product roadmap revealed last July neglecting to mention the four-door coupe in its 2017 launch plans - pointing to a 2018 debut.

Stay tuned to CarAdvice for more Mercedes-Benz CLS updates.

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