Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class 2015 News

The current Mercedes-Benz E-Class and CLS-Class models are being recalled due to the possibility of an engine bay seal becoming damaged and coming into contact with hot engine bay components. The affected seal is located in the secondary bulkhead in the engine compartment, and could result in fire if it becomes loose.The recall affects just seven vehicles, which were sold in Australia between the start of April and May 2015.Mercedes-Benz will contact the owners of affected vehicles by mail, and the fault will be rectified free of charge.Related: What are car safety recalls all about? 

A refreshed Mercedes-Benz CLS has been captured by Carsguide's spy photographers during the car's testing in the icy weather of northern Europe, giving us a look at the styling tweaks that will give a mid-life update for the prestige four-door coupe four years after it first launched.The barely-camouflaged prototype caught on camera shows minor revisions are on the way for the front and rear fascia and the lights. The headlight clusters are getting new LED beams, now topped by restyled LED daytime running lights echoing the S-Class, while a mesh grille brings the nose styling draws closer to that of the A-Class and CLA-Class.Our spies say the cabin scores a redesigned steering wheel, plus a nearly iPad-sized larger COMAND display screen jutting upwards from the dash. The new CLS is likely to be unveiled later this year and arrive in Australia in 2015, followed by the Shooting Brake wagon version.While drivetrains are yet to be confirmed, they are are expected to continue with the 250 and 250CDi but tipped to echo the rationalisation of the E-Class by dropping the range-topping 500's V8 in favour of a V6-powered 400. Mercedes-Benz has just repositioned the current CLS line-up, slashing the CLS250 and CLS250 CDI by $5000, and the range-topping CLS500 by just over $50,000, while axing the mid-range CLS350 and CLS350 CDI.

And the Carparazzi picture car this week is being hussled at high speed around the Nurburgring in Germany.  And the curvy roofline and low-to-the-road suspension settings do suggest something similar to the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo. But this is actually an Audi, and the newest segment-buster from the German brand.  The test car is the A7, which arrives in 2011 as a sporty alternative to the A8 luxury limousine at the top of the family tree. The design is a lot like the A5 Sportback — and the car is expected to be called A7 Sportback — but it picks up its inspiration from the Mercedes-Benz CLS and is likely to be shopped against BMW's new 5 Series GT. Carparazzi shooters report the A7 is as big as the A8, but with a much more rounded roofline and a hatchback rear end. With some of the camouflage stripped away it is much more dramatic, too, than the A8 with a chiselled look and sports-set suspension. The A7 is likely to be revealed at either the upcoming Moscow Auto Salon or the Paris Motor Show in October, with Australian sales in the second half of next year.

The Mercedes-Benz Shooting Break concept has aired ahead of its debut at Auto China in Beijing. Although Mercedes executives aren't revealing too much, the Shooting Break shows off the future direction if the German carmaker chooses to make a station wagon version of the CLS. With Audi’s A7 hatchback arriving soon and BMW’s recently introduced 5-Series GT, a CLS wagon could be on the cards. Even though the Shooting Break is a concept the long, low and sleek design looks production ready with a roof that tapers towards the rear of the car, providing an almost coupe-like shape. At the front the grille and headlight treatment borrows some cues from the SLS AMG. The grille is flanked by LED headlights on each side - the first time Mercedes has used LED technology to such a dynamic effect. The side profile and shoulder line is sharp and leads down to a Pontoon-style curve above the rear wheel arches at the rear doors. The coupe-like profile is emphasized by the shallow window design. Inside the concept gets plenty of wood and leather and an eye-catching full-length centre console, which dictates that this is a four-seater only. The wooden floor of the luggage area gets contrasting silky oak highlights and aluminium highlights and protective strips. Powering the Merc is one of the next-generation V-engines.