Mercedes-Benz Shooting Break Concept Revealed Ahead of 2010 Beijing Auto Show

Of course, there's an interesting story behind the name Shooting Break, but the big story here is that this Beijing Auto Show concept car is an early look at the second-generation Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class sedan -- and a wagon variant.

We're glad to see that curvy Benzes are back in fashion, and we find the new sheetmetal particularly effective over a wagon body style. Though the sedan (which is based directly on the current-gen E-Class platform architecture) will show up first in early 2011, Mercedes does indeed plan to do a 2012 CLS-Class wagon. Although, you probably shouldn't hold your breath on the wagon latter coming to the U.S.

For both cars, the engines will be all new. The base engine is a turbocharged and direct-injected version of the 3.5-liter V6. It will be rated at 306 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque.

The V8, though, drops from 5.5 liters to just 4.6 liters of displacement. It, too, will be turbocharged. Official output hasn't been disclosed, but we hear it will make as much as 435 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque.

Benz plans to use its seven-speed automatic transmission on both models. The company anticipates significant improvement on the fuel economy front with the adoption of direct injection. European-spec version will add start-stop and brake regeneration features on top of that.

There will be an AMG version, too, taking the familiar CLS63 AMG name. But instead of the familar 6.2-liter V8, it will be a twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8 rated at 544 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque (with an optional performance package increasing output to 563 hp and 664 lb-ft).

We really want a CLS wagon (make that a CLS63 AMG wagon), and we hear that Dieter Zetsche has always wanted one, too. But something tells us we might have to be content with the sedan.

2010 Beijing Auto Show: Mercedes-Benz Shooting Break Concept