It was at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show that Mercedes-Benz revealed the stunning CLS Shooting Break Concept. The company later said that the CLS Shooting Brake (Yes, they changed the spelling of "break") would be in production and ready for launch by 2012.
Now we finally have visual proof that the concept is still around and nearly ready for the original sale date with only a thin strip of camo hiding the wagoney part of the CLS.
If the CLS Shooting Brake does come to the U.S., expect it to retail somewhere north of $80,000. The base CLS in the US starts at $71,300 and comes with a twin-turbo 4.6-liter V8 making 402 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. Don't be surprised to see a CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake shortly after the CLS550 Shooting Brake is officially revealed perhaps as early as Los Angeles.
mrb5091 says:
10:17 AM, 10/12/11
Is shooting-brake a fancy term meaning 'expensive wagon or hatchback'? Otherwise, I don't understand what separates them.
bodyblue says:
10:37 AM, 10/12/11
Make it look like a melted candy bar with none of the utility of a squared off wagon then charge 80K for it? This is what MB has become? Really?
mercedesfan says:
10:49 AM, 10/12/11
@bodyblue,
That is what the CLS has always been about. It is a car entirely purchased for looks because underneath it is really nothing more than an E-Class. For me, I would get the stately E every single time. The CLS has always been much too ostentatious for me, but there is definitely a market for it. The CLS has been a cash-cow for MB so I can't blame them for trying to get every last penny out of it.
compressor says:
12:09 PM, 10/12/11
mrb5091,
The term 'shooting brake' is technically synonomous with a wagon/hatch. However, it was typically used to signify a two-door sporting coupe that was fitted with a wagon-esque back.
Perhaps MB think "shooting brake" is appropriate as they stand by their declaration that the CLS is a "coupe". Something I do not agree with.
As for the car, I don't see any CLS buyers getting into this as that car is purchased purely for looks. And I will go out on a limb and say a CLS driver wouldn't be caught in a wagon. Secondly, E-Class Wagon buyers most likely won't move to this either as the E class wagon looks more stately, refined, and is better balances (visually). The E-wagon is also more practical with better visibility.
alaskanroads says:
12:31 PM, 10/12/11
I dont understand why people complain that Mercedes Benz and other Luxury auto makers are providing so many "Niche" vehicles. I for one am very glad that auto makers are offer such a variety of auto's to choose from. Im not a fan of routines, status quos and the business as usual mentality. Automobiles are not just for transport anymore, they're extensions of ones style and persona, I think autos should come in every shape, suited for every taste and designed for every possible need. Variety is after all the spice of life.
bankerdanny says:
12:45 PM, 10/12/11
@compressor, I agree, The Ferrari FF is a Shooting Brake, what is pictured above is a CLS wagon. But then the CLS is not a coupe either, but that doesn't stop Mercedes from calling it that, so there is no reason that MB won't call this a shooting brake.
akitadog says:
01:15 PM, 10/12/11
At least it finally has some rear-passenger head-space.
rayzor says:
03:03 PM, 10/12/11
Whatever!!!
mk40 says:
03:45 PM, 10/12/11
It is very sleek.
The rationale is something like this: I need a sedan but I like the way coupes look. I need a wagon but I like the way coupes look.
cr_driver says:
04:24 PM, 10/12/11
"It was at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show that Mercedes-Benz revealed the stunning CLS Shooting Break Concept. "
Really Mike? I don`t think so.
Unless my calendar is wrong and we are in 2012 already.
And for the record Mike
It was at the 2010 Beijing Autoshow.......
http://blogs.internetautoguide.com/6636493/auto-news/2010-beijing-auto-show-preview-2011-mercedes-benz-cls-shooting-break-concept/index.html
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1043835_mercedes-benz-to-produce-shooting-break-concept
compressor says:
06:14 PM, 10/12/11
mk40,
Better rationale goes like this.
"I need a wagon, I like the way good looking wagons look."
or
"I like sedans. I like the way good looking sedans look"
jm1212 says:
06:27 PM, 10/12/11
shooting brake= wagon based on a coupe
Mercedes is stretching the term with this "shooting brake" version of the "four-door coupe"
jm1212 says:
06:28 PM, 10/12/11
shooting brake= wagon based on a coupe
Mercedes is stretching the term with this "shooting brake" version of the "four-door coupe"
jscion says:
07:19 PM, 10/12/11
It would've been nice to see some of this cool, hatchback/wagon style translate into the new B-Class.
05forenza says:
07:21 PM, 10/12/11
The rationale for buying this is the same for why I bought my far cheaper Volkswagen CC. It looks fantastic, and I only drive myself. BUT, if I NEED to carry 3 other people, I can.
The wagon is the same principle, except now you can stop at a cool store and actually fit that nifty end table, just barely, into the back.
deanoflas says:
08:01 PM, 10/12/11
body styles nowadays are so ambiguous....four door coupes and the like, its hard to keep up with. A shooting brake is typically a two door 'wagon', I'm guessing this having the coupe-ish roof line qualifies it for the term though
deanoflas says:
08:03 PM, 10/12/11
striking....side profile looks stunning, but thats perhaps its only really impressive angle. Interesting vehicle however, certaintly intriguing........btw, wasn't the CLS supposed to be the name of Mercedes' supposed 911 fighter??
hotrodw says:
08:02 AM, 10/13/11
Great looking car! (Although the wheel design on the white car is hideous! They look like Kmart Blue Light Special hubcaps.) It's too bad about the price. I won't argue that it's not worth $80,000+, I'll just say it's a tough sell when the A7 is available at a much more accessible price point.
v8vader says:
03:14 PM, 10/13/11
sweeeeet. i plan to buy one 10 years from now with 60,000 miles on it.
ccaywood says:
06:13 PM, 10/13/11
It looks kinda ugly.
jeremy0818 says:
08:48 AM, 10/14/11
Dodge Magnum and Dodge Charger? Yeah Dodge Magnum surely is a shooting brake...
lolxd says:
04:14 AM, 10/17/11
Now that is sexy. Very sexy. I think this thing looks a lot better than the sedan.
It kind of looks like a lowered down R class though but I find the new R Class quite good looking.
1919diesel says:
11:52 AM, 10/19/11
I think MB should stick with the name "Shooting BREAK" since they have definitely BROKEN a few things:
1) Definition of Coupe (see CLS) and Shooting Brake (this CLS Wagon)
2) Good looks of the CLS (this is a blobby amalgamam of the old Ford Taurus wagon plus the Porsche Panamera, the BMW GT, and maybe a little Pontiac Aztek thrown in for good measure
3) Their Credibility (really, first the 4 door CLS is a "coupe", now the wagon is a Shooting Brake?)
4) Design Integrity (c'mon, just make a few nice crossovers, don't corrupt your definition of sedan, coupe, and wagon with this jelly blob!)